Today we’re excited to be connecting with Matt Swinney again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.
Matt, always such a pleasure connecting with you and thank you for sharing your stories, insights and inspiring messages with our community. We’re looking forward to getting the download and what you have been up to since our last interview, but first can you briefly introduce yourself to folks who might have missed the prior conversation.
I’m the founder of Fashion X and specifically, Austin Fashion Week. AFW is the 4th largest Fashion Week concept in the United States and is entering its 17th year supporting not only Texas-based designers but designers from around the world. We really focus on brands that are getting started — have immense talent but haven’t had their “big break” yet. Personally, it’s simply a passion of mine to help these new-to-the-fashion-world designers take that next leap.
Alright, so our main goal today is to give our audience an update on what you have been up to since our last conversation. We’d love to hear how things are going and what you are most looking forward to or excited about these days.
I actually announced last Spring that I would be stepping away from Fashion X and Austin Fashion Week. I’ve been taking on other roles in our family business that were more pressing, so my intent was to sell Fashion X and let someone with a fresh vision lead it. However, after getting a few offers, I just didn’t feel like the industry would be supported in the same way, so I’ve pivoted. We’re currently rallying the powers that be at the City of Austin to hopefully come in as a major partner to support the long-term sustainability of Austin Fashion Week and ensure it’s longevity for the local industry for many, many years to come.
We have now arrived at one of our favorite parts of the interview – the lightning round. We’ll ask you a few quick questions to give us all some fun insights about you.
- Favorite Movie: It’s super cheesy, but I never don’t watch Top Gun when it’s on (the o.g. Top Gun)
- Favorite Book: I’m not a big reader but Lonesome Dove, Catcher in the Rye, A Farewell to Arms are all some of my classic favorites.
- Favorite TV Show: It varies based on what I’m watching, but I think I’ve seen every episode of Friends at least 10 times.
- Favorite Band or Artist: My daughter got us hooked on Noah Kahan when Stick Season first came out and I still can’t get enough of him.
- Sweet or Savory: Can I say both?
- Mountains or Beach: Mountains. I always say I’d love the beach if it weren’t for the sand, salt and waves.
- Favorite Sport (to watch): On TV, college football. In person, baseball.
- Favorite Sport (to play): Baseball with all the kids I coach.
- Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): An avid baseball player. It’s by far the best sport and I’ll fight anyone on that.
- As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: An MLB player. When that became unattainable, I thought I wanted to be an Orthopedic Surgeon.
- French Fries or Onion Rings: Depends on the Onion Rings, but for consistency, fries.
- Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Oh absolutely Bobby Axelrod
- Favorite Cartoon growing up: Captain Caveman. I know. That’s absurd. Or Muppet Babies when I was really little.
- Favorite Childhood movie: Not from my childhood really, but Toy Story with my own kids.
- Favorite Breakfast Food: Breakfast tacos. Duh.
When you look back on your life, what are three things you expect to be proud of?
1. My kids. They inspire me every day for very different reasons. Our daughter is just so self-motivated and literally will stop at nothing to make sure everything she does is as close to perfection as she can get it. That’s absolutely NOT me, but it is her mother. Our son is a mini me. So many things we have in common. We don’t like to adhere to the unwritten “rules” and instead blaze our own path. It gets us in trouble sometimes, but seeing him have a vision for what he wants and taking whatever path is necessary to get there is very similar to me. And I like it. It’ll serve him well as an adult.
2. My relationship with my wife. We’ve known each other since we were 12 and we started dating when we were 15. No breaks outside of a stupid one our junior year in college that really didn’t help either of us. We certainly have to work at it, but she’s my best friend and my rock. I can’t imagine how different life would have been/would be without her. She just balances me perfectly and is patient as the day is long. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together and as we have kids starting to leave the nest, I think we’re starting to envision what growing old together is going to look like. And it doesn’t scare me one bit.
3. That I was a kind person who looked out for others. We’re currently living through some crazy times and it breaks my heart to see so many people putting themselves ahead of everyone else. Don’t get me wrong — I’m not opposed to looking out for ones’ own best interests, but to just throw other people’s experiences aside blows my mind. I’m not sure how we got here or why it’s so popular to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but it’s where we are. No point in crying about it. Instead, I hope I’m seen as someone willing to speak my mind and stand up for those with less-listened-to voices. If people remember me that way, then it was a life well-lived.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://austin.fashionxtexas.com/
- Instagram: @fashionxtexasofficial
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattswinney/
Image Credits
Images by Todd White & Gregg Cestaro
