We were lucky to catch up with Artavious E. Morgan recently and have shared our conversation below.
Artavious E., so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Fashion has truly changed over the years. There are no limits, the rules have changed, and new creatives have surfaced. I’ve always compared my love for fashion as an expression of Art. I am artist, painting the world with several different designer’s pieces. During each season, I push myself more and more when it comes to my personal style and when I am styling my clients as well. In life you cannot become stagnant due to society’s preconceptions and judgement. By doing so, you limit your creativity and by limiting your creativity you do not have any self identity.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
It’ll be quite impossible for you to forget my smile, my outfit and my Chanel scent. From the very beginning, I have always loved fashion. At a very young age I was exposed to several designers. Most normal children would go into a department stores and run freely. However, I was not a normal kid and it definitely looked differently for me as I navigated throughout Macy’s, Dillards, Lenox. Nordstrom, Phipps, Saks, Burlington, T.J Maxx , and Belk (just a few of many). My name is Artavious E. Morgan, I am 25 years old and in my city I am mostly known for always being dressed to the nines, the essential trendsetter. I am originally from Griffin, GA, which is 45 minutes south of Atlanta. I spent my summers between Georgia & Hilton Head Island, SC. The dynamic between two different places, we’re truly captivating and eye-opening. Which has played a huge role of who I am today..
At a early age, having my own identity was highly prioritized. My upbringing was the absolute best. Being from the south and spending majority of my time with my great-grandmother, a southern conservative housewife; the expectations are way higher than the usual. I was raised to always look my best, walk into ANY room and own it, and never be early because everyone else is simply late! As I navigated throughout life each key component stuck with me. My mother ensured my every need, she never rested on her laurels. Yes, I was the kid in school always dressed up and wearing several designers. Where most kids had on their graphic tees and sketchers. Yes, I was different but who would want to fit in when you have Burberry around your neck? I was always told “you look so nice”, and this not only helped me grow as an individual but it was a quite appealing asset to my future. When I look my best, I do my best, and when I do my best, I am at my best.
By 1st Grade, my mother started allowing me to dress myself. During this era the early 2000s the industry was different, and as a child I saw the development stages of brands such as Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Ed Hardy, Von Dutch, Juicy Couture and Sean John. This was the beginning — which would ruin me forever. Fast forward to 2006, the release of the film Devil Wears Prada a underlying contribution to my life, which changed my overall perspective on fashion indefinitely.
After graduating high school in 2016, I was quite perplexed regarding my major. I debated endlessly within myself regarding what I would study. There was never a Fashion Merchandising and Apparel Design major in my family and as I wanted to be the first, the spectrum of “this will not fulfill you a promising career”, several outside noise and distraction detoured me. I was very lost but I decided to trust God and while attending Georgia Southern University, I decided to major in Sociology.
My earlier years I never intentionally invested myself into fashion. I was just a young boy who loved clothes, shoes, and watches. I never took myself seriously but I always knew any place I entered; surely, I would be the best dressed and I always knew no one would be wearing, what I am wearing. This comes from the 6th Grader who was wearing full designer from head to toe, with Carolina Herrera 212 supplying the aroma amongst his melanin skin and a messenger Gucci.
By the time I actually graduated college, and began taking my talent more seriously that is when I realized I had went it took to not only style myself but others and this is when the creativity began to overcome my body. I was finally able to capture my purpose and work creatively with others to ensure their overall needs were met by supplying them with pieces that made them feel confident.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My great grandmother the late Mrs. Mittie I. White-Morgan always instilled within our entire family as whole, the importance of hard-work, humility and dedication. During my childhood, I spent all of my time with my great grandmother which underlies who I am today, not only did she instill life long core values, morals and standards, she also made me realize who I was not only as a person but as a southern gentleman. I was fully aware any room I walked in, I owned it and to always be dressed to the nines. As I never needed or wanted for absolutely anything, I was also taught the value of a dollar, treating others as I wanted to be treated, and to always maintain a classic southern gentleman.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
Currently, I am in the process of revamping and reinventing our family land. The following property land has been in our family for 78 years. My initial plan and purpose is to create a safe space for those who suffer from mental health, and provide 24 HR housing, clinical and care support staff. As a person who is never easy on himself and a over-achiever. Failure is not an option but I have to also being realistic and remember I am human. As well as ensuring our family legacy is continuously, this is for our grandchildrens’ grandchildren — The Morgan’s Legacy!
In the 1940’s, my great grandfather the late Mr. J.C Morgan worked for Pomona Products; an industrial warehouse plant on the south side of Griffin, GA. My great grandfather was a dedicated hard worker, who loved his wife and children ; a father of 10. One day, while operating a assembly machine at the plant, one of his fingers was awfully cut off. Due to this injury, my great grandfather inherited a percentage of the company which went to my great great grandmother the late Mrs. Mary Morgan estate and my family was gifted land in which my great grandparents built their family home and to this following day; our family currently still owns this land.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/yvessaintart?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artaviousmorgan
Image Credits
Traquavius M: https://instagram.com/tracedphotos?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg==
