The world of fashion is currently fixated on Fashion Week in New York city. Thousands gather from all over the world to converge on America’s fashion capital to experience and showcase styles from everywhere. Kanye West’s kicked off fashion week premiering his “Yeezy Season 3” clothing line at Madison Square Garden complete with listening party for his new album “The Life of Pablo.” One designer hoping to follow in Ye’s footsteps is 17-year-old Chicagoan Lala Hale with her line Rich Temper. It is classic, edgy and youthful at the same time. We had the pleasure of speaking with Lala about her line, her style and why she why she feels this is important to the legacy of Black people.
Tell us who you are.
My name is Lala and I’m 17 years old and I’m a senior in high school. I am CEO of my own clothing line, Rich Temper, and being my own boss is what I do with most of my time.
What inspires your designs?
The street art, where you have these bold yet laid back colors along with a mix of modern sophistication makes up what inspires my designs. You have designers like Alexander Wang, who has modern streetwear and then you have brands like House of CB who is all for a chic fitted dresses. I feel like why not go for both looks because we have this divided sense of style and there’s a way to make it all work together.
Why is it called Rich Temper?
It’s named Rich Temper because it’s my translation of having a rich attitude along with rich style.
When did you know this is what you wanted to do?
My passion for fashion started when I was about 8 years old. Another student brought Barbie clothing stencils to trace and color and the whole class got to it before I was able to. With that being said, I started drawing my own designs and ever since then I’ve stuck with it by improving and investing in my skill.
What type of obstacles have you encountered this far and how do you overcome them.
So far I’ve encountered a test of my customer service skills. Customers have honestly given me a run for my money, from running off with payments to a ton of alterations on a single piece. I’m not willing to copy other designers and I stand by that strongly. Of course, there’s the inspiration and influences that every designer uses but never will I fall under the pressure of a customer making me feel like I should do it just for the money. Nobody understands my passion as much as I do, but I make sure I stand firm on my decisions that I make.
How would you describe your design style? What makes you unique?
I feel the clothes I make divide the gender binary for people who say a girl can’t rock a bomber jacket with her favorite pair of shoes whether it be Adidas super colors or a pair of pumps with a pencil skirt or bodycon of her choice. This style of dressing I call Rich Tempers StreetChic.
I notice some of your clothing has text that is similar to Arabic writing. Is the Arabic deliberate?
The beauty behind the Arabic language, as far as how it’s written, reflects the beauty I want to be in my pieces. In my eyes, Arabic is what I call Rich text; so why not put rich text on Rich Temper.
What advice do you have for those who are thinking about doing what you do?
My advice to anyone going into the fashion industry would be to have a open mind, be very strong minded because there are people that would try to change your original vision and turn it into something you may not like but tell you “this is fashion.” If you’re passionate about it, fashion is anything you think it is. And most importantly for young adults like myself, don’t be afraid to step into a lane that is for the adult world. So many young people are told that you have to wait until after college to have a career. But that’s not true. If you have the mind and passion for it, you can do it. Just stand by what you love so people can support you and take you serious.
