Monday, August 22, 2016

Meet Brandon Allen


NAME: Brandon Christopher Allen

AGE: 29
TALENTS: Lyricist, Poet, Actor
LOCATION: Inland Empire

What made you want to start your own clothing line (Poetically Adorned)?

I literally stopped doing poetry. I retired for more than six months. I fasted before God and committed all my talents, dreams and desires to him, and asked him to reignite my life in purpose. I went to a conference in Chicago and received a very vivid prophetic word about my purpose and about businesses opening up for me and creative forums to be able to get my voice out and it would leave a legacy for my daughter. I immediately went to writing and praying and God gave me a vision for a clothing line that makes impact by taking what's inside of me and pour it out on those in need. 

How did you get into spoken word?

I literally have been writing poetry since second grade and I won my first competition. Poetry saved my life. When I was suicidal and attempted to take my life twice in 7th grade, I vented my pain through writing. What once was a dark outlet turned into a place for freedom. My first real poem was in 8th grade and it was filled with emotion, pain, tears, blood and questions...literally! It transformed me into delivering messages of hope, refuge and escape. 

Where do you get your fashion inspiration from?

I am inspired by culture. I see people everyday getting sucked into the everyday cultural norms of society and not exploring outward. So I want to jump in that river with a creative advantage. Knowing I have a source or idea portal that transcends time and thought. I'm more inspired by old school hip hop icons like Karl Kani and old Kanye. I like to describe it as modern fashion meets urban creativity.

Where do you see Poetically Adorned in five years and when can we anticipate the relaunch?

I see it in multiple stores as well as having its own new style store that doesn’t fit in your everyday box. I anticipate relaunching in mid-September looking into a fall release. 

You also started your own entertainment company with Co-CEO John Billinger, The Corner Ent. Why did you decide to begin this type of company?

I always desired to give an avenue and space for the creative to let loose and be empowered to soar. I believe in enlightening the hearts of the people and why not create a stage for that? To give people truth through the eyes of their peers and artists alike. 

When's The Corner's next big event?

We have a couple on the horizon, but we have a new type of experience coming. We are doing an all white party that isn’t your everyday shin-dig. It's an experience that will take people through culture while grooving and tasting their hearts away. 

How has your faith played a role in creating your own apparel brand and entertainment company?

MY FAITH IS THE FOUNDATION! IT IS EVERYTHING! WITHOUT IT, NONE OF THIS WOULD EXIST OR BE POSSIBLE OR BE A REALITY!

Click on the image and visit Brandon's website. Follow his journey on social media.
@iamelisha3