A Letter on Friendship & Business: To Latonya

There are certain people you meet in life — and in this industry — who leave a lasting impression not because of their title, but because of who they are at their core.

Latonya,

I wanted to take a moment to write something a little more personal, something that reflects not just our connection in fashion, but the respect and appreciation I have for you as a woman, a leader, and a creative.

In an industry that can often feel transactional, fast-moving, and at times impersonal, it is rare to find genuine connection. But with you, that’s exactly what I found.

Over time, what started as a professional connection grew into something more meaningful — a friendship built on understanding, mutual respect, and shared experiences. You understand what it means to build something from the ground up. You understand the responsibility that comes with creating a platform, a brand, and a vision.

And that understanding is something I don’t take lightly.

What I admire most about you is not just your role as Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Metro Vieve Magazine, but the intention behind it. You have created a space that uplifts creatives, gives voices to designers, and tells stories that deserve to be seen.

That kind of work matters.

And I have to say this — thank you for saving my first collection, Naked & Blush.

I showcased Naked & Blush in what I can honestly say was a horrible fashion show in Columbia. The room had little to no one in the seats. It could have easily been a moment that discouraged me, a moment that made me question everything.

But your videographer did something I will never forget — they zoomed in and focused on my designs, not the empty room.

That moment mattered more than you probably know.

From that experience, I realized something: I wanted to create my own shows. I knew it would take time, and I allowed myself that time. I participated in other shows, learning how things were done in the South — and also learning what I didn’t like.

With your guidance, your support, and your mentorship, you helped shift my mindset. You helped me stop thinking about “what the South expects” and start focusing on creating in my own space — my creative safe.

And I say that with a smile, because I always joke that if someone ever got stuck in my head, they would probably run.

But you understood it. You respected it.

And that gave me the confidence to move forward.

When I first moved to Columbia, I won’t lie — within the first few months, I felt like it wasn’t the place for me. I thought, no one here is going to order my designs. I was judging the market based on what I thought I saw.

But I was wrong.

You helped me realize that there are fashionistas here in the South. That there are people who appreciate design, creativity, and individuality — they just have to be reached in the right way.

That perspective changed everything for me.

When I produced my first fashion show, Nacht der Mode (Night of Fashion), I was terrified. I didn’t think anyone would come. I was still building my name, still finding my footing.

But I was wrong.

The show was a success.

And moments like that remind me how important it is to have people who believe in you — especially when you are a small but growing design company trying to carve out your place.

You are that person for me.

You are someone I can text at 1 a.m. with a new design I’m working on. Sometimes you reply, sometimes you don’t — but that’s not the point. The point is, I know I can send that message, and you won’t be upset. You understand the creative mind, the late nights, and the urgency that comes with inspiration.

That kind of understanding is rare.

You have also kept my designs alive in every issue of Metro Vieve Magazine, and I will always be grateful for that. Your platform continues to give my work visibility and life beyond the runway.

And if you haven’t heard of it, you should — metrovieve.com.

You inspire me — not just through your work, but through who you are. Your strength, your beauty, your loving relationship, and the way you lead as a boss woman who shows that it is possible to do it all.

And more than anything, you are someone who keeps me from giving up.

In an industry that can feel isolating, overwhelming, and uncertain, that kind of presence means everything. I truly value our friendship.

Because in a world where so many connections are temporary, the real ones — the ones built on respect, honesty, and support — are the ones that stay.

Thank you for being one of those people.