Southern Style: We Major

Talecia Tucker says it’s all about community as we sit and chat about the latest clothing line from her label Pretty Major that launched this past Valentine’s Day.  The inspiration for the name of her label comes from the Kanye West song “We Major” in which he talks about himself and his community becoming successful.  In keeping with the Valentine’s Day theme, the designs are whimsical and sensual with monochromatic schemes, pops of color and a romantic feel.  Talecia also uses some of Kanye’s lyrics to map out the stages of a relationship: from the chase, to being comfortable, and then to heartbreak representing the three different designs in this series of t-shirts.

I had the privilege of sitting in on a photo shoot for the release of this line with Talecia  in the majestic gardens at The Big House on Ponce.   “I’m a very introverted person” she says, “I express my feelings and experiences through my art.”  From the artist she commissioned to design this line of shirts {Jurell Cayento} to the photographer for this shoot {Freddy Simone}, every aspect of her design is a collaboration between her, her friends, and her community as it is where she sources her inspiration.  It is safe to say that she is also inspired by her favorite artist and celebrity Kanye West.  I know what you’re thinking, how could Kanye’s abrasiveness inspire such ethereal work?  That is the exact juxtaposition that is Pretty Major.  It’s delicate, serene and sensual yet powerful and even aggressive at times.  The fusion of femininity and masculinity is something that Talecia seeks in all her work.

Growing up, Talecia always wanted to shop in the men’s section but was greatly discouraged from doing so. It wasn’t until high school that she started showing a deeper interest in fashion. “I found myself and how I relate to others through fashion” she says. She gained a sense of confidence and self worth in the way she expresses herself through her clothing.  Pretty Major is a reflection of this notion.  She wants everyone to gain their own daily affirmation that they are “pretty major”.  Moreover, she wants to invite everyone to answer the question “what makes you pretty major?”

Pretty Major is a unisex or genderless clothing line.  Talecia studied fashion in college and claims that this is the next step in clothing, to eliminate the boundaries of gender that are so rigid in the fashion industry.  Graphic t-shirts are not the only items on her radar.  She is working on designing a line of button ups and other cut & sew pieces with friends and local artists for her next collection.  We discussed in depth what it means to be a real unisex clothing label and how difficult it is to make pieces that not only fit well on many different body types, but are also appealing to many different types of people.  She wants to keep the graphics and keep Kanye, but she does not want to limit herself and the potential for variety when it comes to unisex clothing.  Post our discussion, I get the feeling Talecia is up for these challenges as she wants to be one of the first labels to take it on.

To get your hands on Pretty Major, check out their website here.