Today we’d like to introduce you to Marvantoinette Gordon.
Hi Marvantoinette, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Fashion has always been a passion of mine. I was about 9 years old when I first started doing sketches of clothing. I looked up to Kimora Lee Simmons. I loved her Baby Phat brand and everything it stood for mainly women empowerment. I remember showing my aunt Shea a few of my sketches when I was about 15 years old, she said “those are dope Prin, do you have a name for it?” I told her “No not really, I just like to sketch the designs. A name will come to me.” She then said, “I think you should name it Gordi.” I instantly fell in love with it, from then on my brand name has been Gordi. In 2011 I printed my first “Gordi” tee on a site called Spreadshirt. After that I didn’t do much with the brand, I never forgot about it though. Throughout the years I’d still be inspired by other brands. During that time, I didn’t know how to get products created to sell. The site I was using was a bit pricey and I was limited on my creativity using that site. All in high school I’d talk to my friends about starting a brand and even after that. For years people would ask me “when are you starting your brand again?” Or “are you still working on Gordi?”. I’d tell them “Yes. I’m still working on Gordi” not knowing I was lost and trying to figure it out. No pressure though. In 2020 I bought my son a pair of black and white checkered vans; I wasn’t able to find him a tee to match it that I really liked so I went to Walmart grabbed him a solid black garanimals tee and I hand painted Gordi on it with the checkered pattern on it and got a lot of great feedback. I felt like at this time o was ready to relaunch Gordi, so I then knew I had to do some research and find vendors or a manufacturer to get the brand started. May 2021 was my first official relaunch of the brand, and it did GREAT! Still had a few kinks to work out. Gordi is producing awesome results and I’m so happy and grateful to see people in my brand. Something that I always wanted. I love that I’m able to share my passion with others. I’m an artist. My canvas just looks a little different.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
By far hasn’t been a smooth road haha. Nothing that’s worth having will come easy and I understand that. The main struggles that I face is whatever that’s going on in my mind. It all starts with me. I would let certain things get to me as far as social media interactions. I had to stop letting that get to me. What God has for me will be mine and I had to realize that I have to believe in myself first, then the rest will follow. Working through the rough patches is teaching me a lot. It’s mainly teaching me to keep my faith in God strong and to keep God first in all that I do. I have to constantly remind myself that I can do ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me. That alone is getting me through.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Gordi, Luxury Streetwear was founded by MARVANTOINETTE GORDON in 2011 is a design venture born out of Akron, Oh balancing luxury techniques with streetwear elements, showcased as ready-to-wear collections. Designed from a narrative standpoint, GORDI is both a reflection of modern socioeconomics and personal stories. Now a reoccurring theme season-to-season, GORDI combines American iconography with nostalgic references, a visual commentary on PERSONAL style and culture itself.
With no formal training specific to fashion design, I credit my understanding of garments and construction to growing up looking up to Kimora Lee Simmons and studying/researching fashion on my own. GORDI stand for GOD FIRST, ALWAYS. I want people to understand that God should always come first in your life no matter what. Nothing will work without understanding that. I’m
Most proud of the meaning behind the brand. If your brand doesn’t have a story behind it or a meaning, how will you attract potential customers? The story behind the brand is very important. The thing that sets my brand apart from other brands is simply that it’s mine. It’s my brand. No one else has my ideas, no one else has my vision. God gave ME this vision. No one else.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
My family members are the face of Gordi. Gordi is a family brand and who better to have be a part of it than my family?
For this brand, I do everything by hand. I do my own mockups on my laptop, I use my Cricut machine to cut the design and then I heat press every garment as well as the photography. One woman show.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gordiclothing.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Gordi.co/
- Facebook: Facebook.com/GordiClothingCo
- Twitter: Gordi_co11
- Youtube: Gordi Clothing co
Image Credits
Marvantoinette Gordon
