For more than 25 years, Miguel Wilson has styled celebrities and professional athletes nationwide. The CEO of the Miguel Wilson Collection is noted for his “lifestyle” brand of suits, sport coats and trousers, which is why the award-winning apparel is all the rage with so many of Atlanta’s biggest movers and shakers.
What puts the Miguel Wilson Collection at the top of fashion in Atlanta?
We operate with customer service in mind first. I tell my guys, “People can shop anywhere … but how they feel from the experience, we control that.”
What’s important to me — whether you are Black, White, Brown or whatever — when you leave, you feel a genuine sense of appreciation and not just people patronizing you for the moment because they want your money.
Understanding people’s wants and needs means you must be quiet and listen to them. I am really big on hearing [what my] customers want, their vision and their purpose. All of these things come into play while dealing with my clients.
Describe the moment you fell in love with the city of Atlanta.
I first moved to Atlanta to go to school for undergrad at Clark [Atlanta University]. There was something different about the city. I had never been in a Southern city where people were friendly and kind. It was a great feeling.
Give us your tweet-length description of the city of Atlanta.
Atlanta is a very metropolitan city with small-city attributes, a very culturally Black city that has a global effect [on] music, arts, television and fashion.
Atlanta is often referred to as a Black mecca. What about Atlanta makes it a Black mecca?
Black culture is [among] the most appreciated cultures around the world, a lot of which originates here. I think Atlanta attracts a lot of creative and enterprising people. Atlanta is more open to the possibility of coming here to follow your dreams.
How has the city evolved for you since the 1996 Olympics?
I’ve seen during that time some of the lowest lows and the highest highs. I think we all went through a really tough time during the recession but I think the last three to four years have been a good run.
If someone is visiting Atlanta for the first time, what would you encourage them to experience?
There are a lot of great things to see like the Woodruff Arts Center, [World of] Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium. There are [also] a lot of nice Black civil rights museums and The King Center.
Within the city, you’re going to have a great cultural experience with food, music, art and shopping. Buckhead is probably one of the best shopping areas for several states. That’s why so many people come here because you can’t get a better shopping or cultural experience anywhere else. Atlanta is truly the Black Hollywood because of the culture and opportunity.
