Fashion trends have a way of coming and going. Still, Morehouse alum Anthony Moultry wanted to ensure he stuck with the HBCU. After seeing the lack of cardigans in the Morehouse bookstore 12 years ago, Moultry took it upon himself to change that, creating the fashion brand Chicer Collegiate, representing his love for fashion and other HBCUs.
What should people think about when they hear the name of your brand?
Chic means fashionable, and it derives from the French word chic, and the “er” just makes it more so. I want people to think more than sweatshirts and hoodies. We should be able to represent HBCUs in a way that can go from your office, at work, to dinner, and also to a basketball or football game. I just wanted to take it up a notch or two or three or four from what was readily available at most HBCU bookstores. When people think of Chicer Collegiate, I want them to think of something very fashion-forward, very in tune with today’s fashion ideals, and representing your school.
What makes cardigans stand out?
Cardigans, to me, represent versatility. You could wear a cardigan with a T-shirt or V-neck to a sporting event. Or you could put a button-up shirt under the cardigan with a tie and it takes it up a notch or a few notches, completely changing your whole look. You can wear a cardigan with shorts and sandals or with dress slacks, a shirt, and a tie. It’s so versatile. That’s what I love about cardigans. Also, being able to represent your school while wearing a cardigan, I think, is a very American tradition that I wanted to bring to Morehouse.
What is a financial tip that you would give to fashion brands?
I watched an interview years ago, and Donatella Versace was telling a story about her brand taking over her brother’s brand and moving it forward. She said something that I hold to my heart, and I try to keep going. She said that out of all of the profits, you put at least 70% of the proceeds back into the brand. Now, that’s a stretch, I guess. Most people aren’t going to have the luxury to be able to put that much back into the brand, so I would suggest at least 50%. If you’re in that position to put 50% of your earnings back into what you started, make that a practice. If you can’t do 50% or 40%, put a significant portion of your proceeds back into the brand, but strive for 50%. If you keep doing that, time after time, you’ll definitely grow.
