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From Rocawear To Rich Girl Candy: My Fashion Brand Celebrates The True Empowerment Of Women
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As Told To is a recurring segment on xoNecole where real women are given a platform to tell their stories in first-person narrative as told to a writer.
This is Mieka Joi's story, as told to Charmin Michelle.
I have always loved fashion and how it makes us feel. I love the creativity and individuality that is encouraged. I love the places that it can take you. I love the happiness it brings...
Your outfit can literally elevate, and even transform, your mood and confidence. And what's even better, is we can achieve an amazing look on any budget.
Throughout my life, the experiences that I've had, the things that I've seen and learned, and the opportunities that I have come across, is what ultimately drove me to make the decision to dive head-first into a space that I oh so loved.
And from there, a dream was born...
The Birth Of A Designer
I've lived my life as the CEO and Head Unicorn of my fashion label, well before I even founded the company. It was always just in me.
I'm a Chicago girl—in every aspect—born and raised. I grew up with entrepreneurship at the forefront of my household, as both of my parents were business owners. Since birth, I saw my mother, a successful single black female entrepreneur, give everything she had to her business and family. So naturally, I didn't know any other way in terms of a profession. Witnessing her work ethic, instilled a different level of confidence in me when it came time for me to pursue my own passion and career.
My company is Rich Girl Candy. We're a mood-changing symbol, using neon and varying colorful elements to encourage happiness and light-feeling childlike bliss. We pride ourselves on being a feeling; a vibe. And we celebrate individuality and standing apart from the status quo.
When you see my brand, you see color, fun, flair, and fashion, something many shy away from.
Long before getting to the point of where we are today, I worked in the fashion and styling game, dating back to my sophomore year at Clark Atlanta.
My roommate and I were approached with an opportunity to intern for a top-tier district buyer for Rocawear. And for me, this was a dream come true.
Rocawear? As in Jay-Z's Rocawear?
Sis, I am on the way...
I mean, Jay has always been one of my favorite artists, and I adore the Rocawear brand, of course, even to this day. So, basically, there was never even a moment where I considered otherwise.
We each accepted and ran with being students of fashion. One of the dopest experiences ever. Being in that environment, and just being in the presence of so many people I could learn the inner workings from, was beyond priceless. I was able to first-hand observe the fashion industry from a different perspective, which of course, was intriguing.
From here, there were a few bumps and bruises, developed companies, and partnerships made. I even took on various clients for styling and consulting, and eventually, Rich Girl Candy was born. This was in 2013–I was 25 years old.
And since that internship, to now, you've seen my work on a few of our faves—Serena Williams being one (she looked so bomb that day)—in addition to many others.
The Beginning Of Forever
I'm often asked the origin of RGC, and for me, it's simple. Rich means "abundance". And in some capacity, we are all rich—whether rich in love, rich in friendship, rich in health, or even in wealth. Basically, I want all women to be fruitful. I actually originally planned for RGC to solely be a high-end resale shop for designer bags and shoes. The accessories would originally serve as a treat to women, similar to how candy is for kids. Thus, Rich Girl Candy.
Over time, we became an all-in fashion brand, complete with a girl's youth line, partnership collections with celebs, athletic wear, swimwear, and even grinders—color always being the focus. While evolving, I knew I wanted to target fly basketball and soccer moms—those moms who match sweats with a Chanel bag or mix their fave designer dress with sneakers instead of heels. I wanted our woman to be completely comfortable, but still turn heads, whether running errands or going to a concert.
Our first year, we honestly wasted way too much money, there was so much trial and error. My biggest disappointments and lessons lived in these moments, hell they survived there. I was forced to become well-versed in fashion basics—ones that people don't necessarily consider, such as understanding the necessity to plan 6-12 months ahead of time (because ladies, fair warning, no factory is ever on schedule). This changed my entire perspective on how I conduct business.
So, now, while most are mapping out their 2020 fiscal year, I'm thinking of 2022.
But make no mistake about it, I've had so many rewarding moments with my business. One of my favorites, last year—the first time we attended ComplexCon in Chicago. Such a monumental moment for my team and I. For one, it was ComplexCon, the mecca of the most influential minds in the country. And two, it took place in my hometown. Being in LA and traveling often, can all take its toll. So this, for me, was a full circle moment.
Entrepreneur Girl, In A Rich World
Listen, ladies, I tell my story solely to empower. That's all I really want. My entire brand is based on it. To empower is to truly want to see others win, while supporting that win in whatever capacity you can. It's being the example, or the leader, for all women to look up to and grow from. I may not agree with how someone runs their business, but we are all doing what works for us. Everyone has their own journey, and that's OK. And this goes for all women, of all shades, with all body types, and in all facets of work.
Empowerment isn't exclusive to a specific group of women who have passed a specific threshold. And it's certainly not for sale.
We are so much more powerful when we support each other in the lanes that we choose for ourselves, we deal with enough shit on our own.
And being in my world, I often see a faux notion of that support; a thin layer. This isn't enough for me. I believe in wholehearted loyalty and protection of our queens—and if you really wanna have that conversation, let me know. I'm always intrigued by the mere misconception.
So, my advice and affirmations as a business owner lie here:
- If entrepreneurship is a path you want to take, or a path you're currently on, stay your course. It's your course.
- There will be many people wanting you to pay them to build your brand. No one can build or sell your brand like you can. Get help where necessary, but when it comes to vision, save that money, sis.
- The best publicity is free. Quality product sells itself.
- You will want to give up. Don't. These times just confirm that you're on the right path. Nothing great comes without fear. Keep going, always.
- Find your passion. Don't take on a journey just because you see someone making money from it, that's not your passion. It's forced. Therefore, it's work.
When I'm overwhelmed I meditate. I pray, I read, I take time to reflect inward; mostly tapping into what lessons the universe is trying to teach me. I'll listen to a few of my go-to podcasts and I'm big on journaling, it helps to release buried feelings and emotions.
As for what's next for me, with the quarantine, only God knows. A lot of the events and festivals we had for summer have been postponed, so now we're in campaign mode, which represents our new reality. I am, however, focusing on engaging with our customers and audience, letting everyone know we are in this together, and in the meantime, building out the brand, making key connections, and promising a solid next move.
And I'm making a point to do all of the above, while continuing to support everyone around me. And you too.
To keep up with Mieka Joi, follow her on Instagram at @miekajoi_.
If you have a story you'd like to share, but aren't sure about how to put it into words, contact us at submissions@xonecole.com with the subject "As Told To" for your story to be featured.
Feature image courtesy of Shaun Michael.
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Feature image screenshot/ xoNecole YouTube
The Complex Relationship Between Black Women, Our Hair, And the Protective Styles We Love
Black women’s natural hair is constantly a topic of conversation. Whether it’s in the workplace, on the red carpet, or in everyday life, how Black women choose to style their hair will always be a topic. This constant bombardment of opinions, both inside and outside of the Black community, about the way Black women’s hair is presented to the rest of the world can be a lot to manage and process at times.
Though we sang along with India.Arie, as she serenaded us with her classic “I Am Not My Hair,” Black women’s hair is indeed a statement of who they choose to be when they show up in the world each day. Valencia Carillo of Perfect Hair says, “We like to say we aren't our hair, but we also are. It changes how we feel and how we view ourselves.”
There are many reasons Black women choose protective styles such as braids, twists, and wigs as their go-to styles for everyday life.
“I wear protective styles because it's not only convenient to manage, but I love it," shares Bobbie Riley, celebrity hair and makeup artist. As a Black woman who is constantly on various sets throughout Los Angeles, I’m always aware of my hair and the lack of knowledge some have about it. I want to feel confident when doing shoots, but know there’s always a chance that the HMU on set won’t be prepared to style me accordingly. This is why I choose protective styles so frequently when shooting. However, when I’m not booked, I enjoy having my natural hair free.
Today, more Black women are embracing their natural hair and protective styles while pushing boundaries they wouldn’t have been able to less than a decade ago. Abena Afrane, a licensed celebrity cosmetologist, says, “There's a noticeable shift, even among news anchors, who now confidently wear hairstyles like braids on TV.” Yet, even with this shift, a new conversation is emerging about Black women and protective styles.
Though we see many Black women wearing their natural hair publicly, there is also a new lingering question, “Is Black women’s ‘reliance’ on protective styles simply another way we’ve found to hide a piece of ourselves in order to be deemed more presentable?”
The truth of it all lies somewhere much deeper than that.
The History of Hair Discrimination
To fully understand where the stigma and desire to assimilate comes from, we have to venture to the origin of hair discrimination in America. Black women’s hair has been used as a weapon against them since the inception of this country. The coils of our hair are one of the most prominent features that distinguishes Black people from other races, and because of this, it’s been used to make us feel inferior.
One example of this would be the origins of the term “nappy.” It’s believed that the origin of the term comes from the word nap, which described the frizzled thread that came apart from a piece of fabric. The term “nappy” was used to describe African slaves’ hair to demean and dehumanize them.
Likewise, because of the intricate braiding styles and designs our ancestors brought to America from the continent, Black women were often forced to hide their hair. This was used as a tool to shame Black women, create a racial hierarchy, and hide our culture.
An example of this was the Tignon Laws of 1786. When the Spanish took control of Louisiana, there was a population of free Black people living in the state. To display a cultural hierarchy, the governor mandated that free Black women wear tignon, head scarves historically worn by slaves, as a means to display their inferiority to white women.
Cabinet Card of Sarah Ann Blunt Crozley wearing a tignon in the 1800s.
Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images
Though they complied, they began to use them not only as a fashion statement, making them out of colorful and expensive fabrics and adding feathers and jewels to them, but also as a means of rebellion against their colonial ruling powers.
As time went on, Black women began to attempt to assimilate into white culture by straightening their hair. The famous Madame C.J. Walker made her fortune helping Black women manage and permanently straighten their hair. Though Walker’s business thrived and enabled other Black women to build wealth, today, many Black women are moving away from relaxers and consistently straightening their hair.
Black women are now embracing their natural hair with each passing year, but this emergence of unapologetic Blackness is often met with pushback.
Where Do Protective Styles Come From?
Protective styles are not a new phenomenon within the Black community or our African ancestry. The texture of most Black women’s hair easily gets tangled and knotted and can succumb to breakage if not well cared for properly. This reality has led centuries of Black women to find ways to protect and maintain their crowns. There are Stone Age paintings dating back to 3000 BC of North African women wearing braids in their hair.
What we call cornrows – named by enslaved Africans in the American South because they looked like rows of corn – are also known as irun didi by Yoruba people. The intricate nature of this style was not only practical but easier to maintain for an extended amount of time.
Similarly, Fulani braids – named after the Fulani people of West Africa – were used as a symbol of a woman’s marital status, career, or socio-economic class in pre-slave trade Africa. Likewise, Bantu knots – named after the Bantu group of the Zulu people – were used as a heatless curling technique for Black women centuries before it gained popularity in mainstream America.
Delmaine Donson/Getty Images
As chronicled in Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America by Ayana D. Byrd and Lori L. Tharps, the everchanging and cyclical relationship Black people have with their hair is often a reflection of their desire for freedom or connection to their ancestral roots. Growing up in the 90s, braids, twists, ponytails, wigs, etc. were commonplace in my and my mother’s friend groups.
Black women looking for ways to manage and care for their hair isn’t a new concept, but protective styles transition into the mainstream arena has created new conversations centered around whether Black women are using it as a mechanism to hide their natural hair.
Instead of acknowledging that Black women are becoming more comfortable with embracing themselves and their heritage, their choice of hairstyle is yet another sector where individuals have been allowed to over-police and analyze them.
Hair Discrimination Today
Global Head of DEI for Ferguson Partners Dionna Johnson Sallis admits she has experienced and witnessed hair discrimination towards Black women multiple times during her 13-year tenure in corporate America. She says, “wearing straight wigs or getting sew-ins that mirror the Eurocentric form of beauty can be a form of fitting in.” Sallis continues, “But I think many of us lean toward the more Afrocentric forms of a protective styling such as braids, twists, faux locs, and things that are more textured.”
I agree with Sallis and often use protective styles that still fully display my “Blackness,” because my goal is never to make any believe I’m ashamed of my culture or ancestry. However, there was a time when wearing my natural hair to work, whether it be in front of or behind the camera, was seen as unkempt or unprofessional.
I was told to make sure my hair was “neat” when I came into the office or was a prominent topic of discussion whenever I wore my fro out.
Luckily, I have always had older Black women around to remind my white coworkers not to touch my hair or make a big deal out of a new style I had. Nonetheless, these constant microaggressions can weigh on a person while begging the question: “Should I just cover my natural hair so they’ll shut up already?”
Sallis believes experiences like the ones I describe are less prominent today; “Because of the CROWN Act, it is made it more difficult to be discriminated against because there is a very blatant law in place to prevent this discrimination and microaggressions compared to 10 or 15 years ago.”
Strides like these have come as a result of Black women mobilizing to pursue true equity for themselves and future generations. Afrane adds, “I've observed a significant change where we're boldly advocating for equality and inclusivity in professional spaces. It's inspiring to witness us standing up and speaking out for ourselves.”
Black Women’s Rights to Their Individuality
Depending on what your daily life looks like, protective styles can be an easy way to manage and maintain your natural hair in a healthy manner. Carillo has been doing my protective styles for years, and we often talk about our busy lives managing businesses, being mothers, and still wanting to feel like ourselves. Like many Black women, we use our hair as a form of expression and style. Carillo says, “At the end of it all, I think most Black women choose what we want and what makes us feel good.” Afrane agrees, “It feels like we're collectively embracing hairstyles that bring us joy and align with our lifestyles.”
Though there will always be podcast conversations on whether or not natural hair is appropriate for formal events and people trying to create a divide between Black women who mainly wear weave and wigs versus the ones who wear their afro regularly, the one consensus I found among the women I interviewed is there is some level of awareness, whether positive or negative, Black women experience in relationship to their hair and how others perceive them.
Delmaine Donson/Getty Images
Riley shared a recent experience on set with one of her clients where the brand wanted a fiber fill to give her client a more “hair-like look.” Riley and her client both agreed it wasn’t the direction they wanted to go and continued with their original aesthetic for the shoot. “I loved her facial structure and her hair how it was, and I wanted her to feel just as beautiful embracing it,” Riley says.
Carillo adds, “Insecurities are real, and while we love to do what we need to for us, I'd be lying to say some women don't consider what others think.”
As we all know, existing in the intersectionality of Black womanhood comes with a slew of challenges, disparities, and dangers. However, just as the women of Louisiana in 1786 used their tignons as a form of expression, creativity, and rebellion, Black women today embrace our crowns the same way. One of the greatest joys many of us experience as Black women are switching up our hairstyles to match our mood, occasion, or season.
We find liberation in changing our styles to express who we are in the current moment we’re existing in. Though there are some who may use protective styles as a means to assimilate into Eurocentric culture, far more of us change our hairstyles to match our vibe. Afrane says, “The joy lies in the freedom to explore various looks, and it feels like we're collectively embracing hairstyles that bring us joy.”
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Featured image by Delmaine Donson/Getty Images
Originally published on February 27, 2024