Designer Tai Bowen - Founder & Creative Director of

RAIYONDA

VEREEN

Interviewed by: Angela Brickley

What is one of your favorite things about being a lead costume designer for the Tyler Perry Studios (TPS)?

In my role I have the freedom and autonomy to express myself creatively. The producers of each show that I've worked with has granted me the ability to think outside the box and in some cases, build from scratch. In my experience at other studios the producers were heavily involved in deciding the costumes choices for each character and that would sometimes result in a different vision and creative direction. As the lead costume designer at TPS I don't have to worry about that.

TYLER PERRY STUDIOS COSTUME DESIGNER

Who or what inspires you to chase your dreams?

As a child, I admired my mother's style, charisma and talent. Her style was impeccable and she would wear off the rack shirts and add a tie with a brioche in the middle and make it look couture. She had an eye to make her style different and captivating. She was my inspiration and still is. I also draw inspiration from my alma mater, Howard University, which of all the HBCUs was (and in some cases still is) considered the mecca of fashion. Howard exposed me to styles from different cultures and regions of the world. I used to be a teen model and did not like doing runway shows but found comfort in working behind the scenes. At Howard, I started participating in fashion shows and fell in-love with the adrenaline rush I would get from helping produce the shows. I graduated from Howard University with such an amazing experience that I had tunnel vision with no option but to chase my dream which was to build a career in the fashion and entertainment industry. And now, here I am.

B U S I N E S S T A L K

What or who inspired you to become a costume designer?

I never really had a desire to be a costume designer. In the beginning I just wanted style artists for music videos. I found so much joy in doing that that once I was given an opportunity to style bigger projects with more people then I got into the creative side of designing my own looks and costumes. From there, again, I was inspired and wanted to do more and go further in the industry. As I transitioned into tv and film and began working under more experienced designers I began to learn the industry. Working underneath designers like Rita McGee, Lorraine Coppin, Ruth Carter, and Trish Summerville helped mold me into the costume designer I am today.

What does your current business model look like?

That's an interesting question. My brand, Raiyonda Vereen LLC, is multi-faceted and goes beyond just fashion and costume design. It includes my online women's boutique but I am also scaling to include a mentoring program, women's empowerment circles, networking groups, investment opportunities, and eventually my own clothing line. My current store is a joint collaboration with a close friend and business partner. I typically handle the merchandising and finding unique styles while she focuses on the marketing, trade-shows, distribution, and fulfillment. We have a small team and have worked together for years now and I look forward to opening my brand and business model to include more collaborative ventures with other designers, investors, and retail chains.

Talk us through what your typical day looks like.

Typically I get about 6 hours of sleep a night and sometimes I may wake up in the middle of the night to read scripts or create mood boards for a project that I’m working on. Depending on the day, I start with going directly to the office to meet with my crew or I will go shopping to create looks and closet building for the characters/actors. Some days are filled with putting together looks and others are full of fittings. It all depends. When we begin filming I typically spend the day pulling the line for the actors, this is the process of laying out the costumes each actor will wear during the scenes for that day. After that I’ll go to set to establish their costume on camera.

Where do you get inspiration from when designing costumes?

I like to keep my finger on the pulse and draw inspiration from old movies, magazines, the internet, and more. Sometimes I enjoy traveling and going to new restaurants and venues to observe the trends and styles of different markets. I guess you can say, I people watch. It is a good way for me to develop a versatile creative pallet to choose from when I need to come up with a creative and unique costume design.

What's next for your career in 2021?

I recently did a home and gardening show for HGTV that I am looking forward to. Also, in the fall I have two new television shows that I worked on come out and a comedy film.

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting and would love to be a costume designer?

If you have an opportunity to work underneath or beside an experienced designer then take advantage of it. Ask a lot of questions so that you can gain as much knowledge as possible. Also try new things to help you learn different facets of the industry. Keep an open mind. Every opportunity to to propel your career may not come with a substantial amount of money. I know that's a hard reality to face but if you can, take the opportunity and build from there.

Where can people find your website or social media channels?

You can visit my website at www.raiyondavereen.com or find me on Instagram at @Raiyonda . Also, I will be opening up opportunities to join the women's empowerment group, creative discussion panels, and the mentorship program. You can also visit my online women's boutique at www.shopwhichbitch.com

Who is your favorite designer of all time?

I honestly can't pick just one. As a costume designer I love so many different designers for different reasons. For instance, I love Victoria Beckham for the clean lines. I love Balmain for their fashion forward designs. I also love Oscar De La Renta for the fabrics and silhouettes. The list goes on. If you're gonna make me choose just one then I'll pick Alexander McQueen.

What is one life phase that you live by?

Life life to the fullest. I like that quote because you never know how life will go and you don’t want to live with regrets. Y.O.L.O You only live once!

Just when the caterpillar thought her life was over she began to fly.