Episode 2 | Sustainability, Soul & Shaking Up Luxury: Nia Thomas on Fashion with Integrity

In this episode, Nia Thomas enlightens us on shaking up the luxury fashion game—because, let’s be honest, the industry is drowning in poorly made fast fashion nonsense. As the mastermind behind her eponymous brand, Nia shares her journey from self-doubt to building a sustainable, high-end fashion house rooted in intention, integrity, and undeniable Black beauty. She and Dominique Drakeford dive into what it really takes to build and run an ethically operated independent brand with soul—the highs, the headaches, and everything in between. In an industry often driven by ego, they explore the power of collaboration as she manifests her dream of creating a full-fledged luxury house, the sting (and flattery?) of imitation, and why true sustainability is all about integrity, self-care, craftsmanship and creativity. Tune in for a joyous convo that’s both life affirming and insightful!

"So it was really important for me to work with artisans that I handpicked it and hand selected myself, who've been working on this weaving, knitting, crocheting, sewing techniques for multiple generations within their families. Because I knew that if the quality wasn't there, I didn't want to have the brand. It's like, WHAT'S THE POINT OF MAKING MORE POORLY MADE CLOTHING. THE WORLD HAS ENOUGH OF THAT."

" I think if you can't practice that intentionality in your own life, how are you supposed to bring that into your business?"

"With the homogenization of fashion, we're just so used to the same basic concepts of clothes and marketing. People want fashion to be able to dream."

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