Today we’d like to introduce you to Tariq Washington-Walker and Ipi Adedokun.
Tariq and Ipi, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
We understood that in order to change the world, we would have to become the change that the world is wanting to see. Our interests are geared toward our youth group because we are the most ridiculed group when it comes to community service. A lot of older generations make claims to younger generations that we are lazy, privileged, and selfish. We decided to make it our duty to change that. We had discussions with a lot of our friends and strangers within our age range (16-25) and asked them why they were not involved in the community more. We came to find out that a lot of them indeed wanted to be more involved in the community, but they just did not know-how.
Many of them felt that they needed a lot of money, or they needed to have a lot of following in order to make some sort of impact. We understood that this was not the case. We decided that we would create a system that would empower the youth to give back to the communities, and also do it in ways that they never thought was true impactful power. We always knew that young people like to do two main things. Look good and have fun! This sparked the idea for World Apparel Co. We created a non-profit clothing brand that uses fashion to help raise awareness and funds for different social issues around the world. Not only do we create fashionable clothes, but we also put on fun events that help get the community involved (targeted towards the younger generation) in a party like fashion. We are striving to continue to grow as a brand and non-profit so that we can reach and impact the whole world (as it says in our name)!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We have been through many different obstacles and challenges throughout our journey. The first biggest challenge was life! Ipi was working as well as in school full time and trying to make sure he was in the community… full time. Tariq was battling with his Crohn’s disease while also working full time and attempting to further his education while, you guessed it, trying to be in the community full time. Creating the amount of capital that was needed to supply and create the merchandise was also a huge challenge. We did not start off promoting ourselves as the typical non-profit looking for donations. We wanted to raise the money for the merchandise using our own power.
That came from job profits or any other side hustles that we may have picked up. Once we were able to get the first line of clothing released, we were then able to use that money to create more products and also give back in some way. Starting off like this created only a small percentage to be able to give back with, and also limited the quality and types of clothing that was created. The cost of producing a fashion line is not cheap! Access to resources like investors, publicity and marketing made the groundwork much more difficult when it came to growing the brand and also creating a larger impact. Even though these were challenges, it kept us motivated to overcome them.
Please tell us about World Apparel.
World Apparel was founded on the power of the youth in October 2016. We are not solemnly a clothing company. Our clothes represent a symbol of a bigger picture. Our slogan, “The youth is the solution,” is what we stand for. We want to use our clothing to help raise money to feed, clothe, provide medical care, and supply the children who are in need all around the world. With every sale that we make, a portion of the proceeds will go to a Children’s Charity. As our company grows the amount we will donate will grow as well. It starts with us and the upcoming youth in order to change the world. Helping those in need may just spark the drive in the next person that will help change the world. We also call ourselves the charities charity because we do not focus on ONE specific social issue we attack them all. We partner with different organizations that have specific interests in a certain social issue and we donate back to them with our time and physical contributions.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Tariq – My favorite childhood memories would be any time outside having fun with my neighbors in my neighborhood. Also, watching football movies on Friday Night before my peewee football games on Saturday, and then waking up early on Saturday morning ready to play. Family reunions and hanging out with family in general. Trips back home to Bermuda and anything that kept me active or learning something new.
Ipi – My favorite childhood memory is my 4th birthday. I did not have a birthday party, but I was watching Anime and my mother came in their with a carrot cake and a number 4 candles on it. That day was the day I fell in love with carrot cake and my mother made my whole day.
Pricing:
- Deluxe T shirts – $45.99
- Standard T shirts – $35.99
- Vent Shorts – $45 (on sale)
- Trucker caps – $25
- Deluxe caps – $40
Contact Info:
- Website: worldapparelco.com
- Email: worldapparelco@gmail.com
- Instagram: @worldapparelco
- Twitter: @worldapparelco
- Other: worldmissions.work
Image Credit:
Corey Bao; Daniel Soba; Promise House Children’s Shelter
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