Story & Lesson Highlights with Toi Arnold of Cleveland

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Toi Arnold. Check out our conversation below.

Toi, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me these days is waking up and lying in bed for a few moments to gather my thoughts and pray. Once I feel it’s best I’ll check my phone to see the verse of the day then begin to get ready. I first head to the gym, then go back home to get dressed. I try to make breakfast each morning and pack me a lunch (I don’t really like to eat out). Once done I head to work or my atelier, yes you heard that right I have an atelier now. It’s located inside of 5th Street Arcades. Usually, I’m there doing production, conducting fittings, virtual consultations and just enjoying my space.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Toi Arnold, 25-year-old self-taught fashion designer and founder of SO TOI and So Toi Boutique. At SO TOI, we specialize in custom dressmaking meticulously designed and handcrafted gowns for those seeking individuality and an elevated wardrobe. With a unique process catered to client experience, our services initiate with a inquiry then the prospective client receives a dress quote. Following receiving their dress quote, their instructed to schedule a virtual consultation to meet with me to discuss their custom dress and our process. We offer 3-4 fittings at our Downtown Cleveland Atelier, Suite 19 inside of 5th Street Arcades.

Our atelier is open by appointment as we honor those who seek out our brand, in the future our goal is to have a full running store/boutique with ready to wear products and more. To embark on this goal, I am having my first event at SO TOI, October 4, 2025 from 10:00am to 6:00pm where we’ll be open to the public for one day only!!

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was probably age 5, I’d practice walking around in my aunts’ heels so I could learn to model walk. Growing up my mom used to watch America’s Next Top Model and I just knew I could be on there one day. I’d strut around in 4″-6″ heels, pouting my face, posing with my head on my hip and watching myself in any mirror I could find. I felt so powerful, so fashionable and so fearless. Those were the times, the moments that shaped me into who I am today.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
When I failed a course in nursing school, my mind changed, and I realized it was no point in ignoring who I am deep down inside because it’ll never go away. As previously stated, I was strutting in heels at 5 years old (laugh out loud) I knew who I was from the very start! I’ve always been destined for a career in fashion; it is my passion and the light at the end of all my failure tunnels. Ignoring who you are when you know what you’re destined for is something that isn’t always done purposely in my case it was done subconsciously, but failure brought me to my light. Changed my mind completely!

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
“I’m just going to let the wind guide me” which is so funny now because it’s so naive basically saying I’m making the decision to not make a decision and going on with my life. I’ve grown into who I am today by making decisions I once would have ignored but it’s a part of life and growing up. I’m 25 years old now and I do believe my frontal lobe is 90-95 percent developed though I’ve only been 25 years old for three months now. Which is crazy!! Anyway, to my women and young ladies who follow my journey and hear me, with the utmost respect do not let the wind guide you. It’s ok to not act on decisions right then in there, just give yourself time to think then act! Don’t wait or procrastinate… Choose your decisions wisely, do it confidently and do it strong because no one can make them or guide you through the wind but you.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I absolutely could, nothing I do now is for praise but for betterment of who I am, who I was, and who I plan to be. I don’t live a life seeking for praise or to be understood as long as I understand me and give myself praise, I feel that is all that matters. I can praise myself, each day of my life it’s already me vs. me anyway so I really try to give everything my very best even down to doing laundry (laugh out loud). Seriously though, I feel that it is my duty to do my best each day in whatever capacity I’m blessed with that day. You can’t go through life seeking for praise because you’ll crumble when no one claps for you even though everyone is watching.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sotoixo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sotoi.xo/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SoToixo
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sotoi.xo

Image Credits
Model: Aamiya Webb