Designer Spotlight: Tennille McMillan
Tennille McMillan is definitely "America's Funky Sweetheart" because there is nothing really basic about this designer out of Brooklyn. In this interview with inCOLOR, McMillan discusses the differences between her two lines, NaKIMmuli and Shenae, as well as her personal style, inspirations, and style icons.
inCOLOR: Have you always had an interest in working in the fashion industry?
Tennille McMillan: No! For most of my life I thought I was going to be a modern dancer. I always had an interest in fashion since I always dressed “weird” but I didn’t think about a real career in fashion until college. And, at first I thought I wanted to be a stylist. But I hated it.
inCOLOR: If you could go back in time and live in any era where would you go?
Tennille McMillan: At one point in my life, I was obsessed with the ‘60s. There were so many different style moments: the Black Power/dashiki/afro movement, the Twiggy/mini dress/pop art movement, the hippie/peace sign/tie-dye movement.
inCOLOR: What inspires your work?
Tennille McMillan: Diane von Fursteberg said it best: “I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but I knew the woman I wanted to become.“ I can totally relate to that since I didn’t go to school for this. I didn’t have much direction except knowing how I wanted to dress and how I thought women should dress. So in a way I am my own muse! But, life in general inspires me. But some of my key inspirations are: music, love, laughter, happiness, shapes and how fabric drapes on the female body.
inCOLOR: Do you have any style icons?
Tennille McMillan: Style icons? I don’t really have a running list, but here are a list of women who recently have been inspirations: Betty Davis (jazz musician Miles Davis’ ex-wife), Grace Jones, Lisa Bonet, a.k.a. Denise Huxtable—she is probably the one I relate to the most since I grew up watching and wanting to be on “The Cosby Show”!
inCOLOR: Do you have a typical person in mind when you design?
Tennille McMillan: I would have to say myself but not in a vain way. I am always thinking about the next phase in my life or the next event I’m going to attend; what I would want to wear, how I want people to see me. Also, women like Erykah Badu, Kelis, “Denise Huxtable,” Rihanna, Grace Jones—I always think about what would they wear? How can I make standout pieces that are still wearable? I look to these and other women and then scale my ideas down to real life, though I feel that more and more women want to wear out-of-the-box designs, just at an affordable price.
inCOLOR: What do you like about living and working in Brooklyn?
Tennille McMillan: Well, Brooklyn is the only home I know so this is hard to answer. But, I like the convenience to the city (Manhattan), especially where I live. I like how a lot of people are finally noticing BK [Brooklyn] as a great place to live and work, even though it is becoming very hipster-y and hella expensive! But it is amazing to be around all these artists! Back in the day (Yes, I said it!) you had to go to Manhattan to be a part of a thriving artist community. So now it is dope that I only have to go down the block to be exposed to great emerging artists!
inCOLOR: What are some resolutions you have for the growth of your company?
Tennille McMillan: Some of my immediate resolutions:
- Getting an intern! My assistant just got married and is now pregnant, so we need extra help!
- To open up my online “mega store” outside of Etsy (working on it now).
- Open a showroom and/or storefront in Brooklyn so women can buy the clothing in person, in addition to buying them online.
- Include a naKIMuli jewelry line.
- Partner with other like-minded artists.
- Some other things I gotta keep secret for now!
inCOLOR: How would you describe your personal style?
Tennille McMillan: Eclectic chic. It encompasses so many things: thrift finds, vintage wears, couture clothing, one-of-a-kind items, 99 cent store leftovers (leave no stone unturned!). Recently people have said my style is very Brooklyn … Guess I can include that, too.
inCOLOR: Where are your favorite places to shop?
Tennille McMillan: I don’t shop! With operating a rapidly growing business and always being around clothing, I tend not to buy much clothing. But, I do spend money on food. Trader Joe’s must love me! My thing is shoes and accessories. When I do shop for clothes it’s mainly at Salvation Army.
inCOLOR: Is designing a full-time endeavor for you?
Tennille McMillan: Yes! And the best job I’ve ever had!
inCOLOR: What is the hardest part about being an entrepreneur?
Tennille McMillan: The hardest thing about being a entrepreneur is remembering. When I was younger, I prided myself on being able to remember birthdays, holidays, special events. Now the busier I get, the quicker things float in and out of my brain! I am having to write things down and set alarms to help me remember to do things! And, that is where my future intern comes in …
inCOLOR: You have two clothing lines. What are the primary differences between them?
Tennille McMillan: naKIMuli is my first clothing line. The tagline is “America’s Funky Sweetheart.“ naKIMuli is for the woman who marches to the beat of her own drum: bold prints, loud colors, and unusual designs. Shanae contains more basic garments; they are still funky but a little more for everyday wear. Shanae was first set to be a dance-inspired line since I have been dancing on and off for most of my life. But now I would say it is more of a line inspired by creative types of every art form who wanna wear “basics” but not have them be “basic.“
inCOLOR: Where can people find your creations?
Tennille McMillan: I have two online stores on Etsy.
I have currently began to move my items to my own online store outside of Etsy. You can always check out the blog for updates.
