“I believed that I could create a brand that presented fashion from a different perspective; that of a female artist of color.”
It all started when…
SOULDEGA: What inspired you to go into fashion and art and create your brand, Tribes of Joseph?
MARCIA: Since childhood I've always shown a strong interest in art making and fashion. I was constantly drawing, it was hard to ignore the calling, thankfully, my family was supportive and put me into art and fashion programs early in life. Those programs set me up to see art & fashion as a career and way of life. My mother was actually the first one to teach me how to sew.
I was inspired to launch my brand Tribes of Joseph because I was tired of working in white run and poverty exploiting fashion companies. I believed that I could create a brand that presented fashion from a different perspective; that of a female artist of color. I believed that I could use fashion and art to empower others and to provide financial stability for talented artists & artisans in developing countries such as my homeland of Haiti. Really Tribes of Joseph is the result of my love for people and art.
SOULDEGA: What do you consider unique about your business and the clothing you create?
MARCIA: The apparel is created from the heart. Every collection has an encouraging and real message. It's fashion powered by empowerment and love. All of the graphics are pulled straight from my artist journal and our woven products are made by artisans in Haiti, we make art for your body.
SOULDEGA: Where do you find your inspiration for each of your pieces?
MARCIA: I find inspiration from my life and the stories of the people surrounding me. Before a collection drop I read through my journals and sketchbooks and look for themes or sketches that speak to me and I think will resonate with others.
SOULDEGA: Who have been your support systems in the creation of your business and how beneficial have your support systems been to you?
MARCIA: My family and friends have been my biggest support system, I would have quit a long time ago if it wasn't for their support.
SOULDEGA: Has COVID impacted your business and if so how? How have you tried to adapt your business to these new societal pressures?
MARCIA: We haven't been able to host as many shows, pop-up and events as we'd like. We've shifted our brand to focus on more online based community and COVID friendly gatherings.
SOULDEGA: What is one message you’d like for your community to know about Tribes of Joseph?
MARCIA: I want to share words from my friend and musician Caliph - "You Are The Gift" . Oftentimes as creatives we get caught and measure ourselves based on what we are or are not creating. However that's an unhealthy and unsustainable relationship to our creativity. The gift of creativity is here to serve us first and others second. You are not here to create, you are here to live and its from your living that the work flows. When the work is not flowing how you expect it, check your living, check your joy, check your reality, check your heart.
SOULDEGA: What is one goal that you have for Tribes of Joseph?
MARCIA: My mission is to create culturally rich, socially conscious & vibrant fashion that makes people feel empowered to walk confidently in your skin. Because, confident people change their communities and therefore change the world. Another goal is to have such a demand for my products that I have my own tailor/production shop in Haiti that provides work for 3 -4 artisans.
SOULDEGA: If there was one brand or artist you’d like to collaborate with for Tribes of Joseph, who would it be and in what capacity?
MARCIA: I would love to collaborate with Pyer Moss on a joint collection.
“I believed that I could use fashion and art to empower others and to provide financial stability for talented artists & artisans in developing countries such as my homeland of Haiti.”