Artreunnah Perkins’ fashion legacy

The style of a person can be portrayed in many ways. For example, how deeply someone is interested in makeup or shoes. 

For 21-year-old Artreunnah Perkins, style is portrayed by her through the clothes she wears.

Perkins, born in Cairo, Georgia, moved to Tallahassee when she was about 3 years old. Her mother started working at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare before Perkins was born but decided that the commute was too far of a drive to make every morning, so they moved to Tallahassee.

Growing up, Perkins says she had a good childhood and describes Tallahassee as home. She has been dressing herself since age 5. Her mother would always encourage her to be different and try new styles and put new things together. As a child, she would always be excited to help her mom pick out clothes, and she always gives advice on what her friends should wear.

One of the things that shaped her outlook on life was losing a close friend due to gun violence. 

“It made me look at life differently,” Perkins said. “It’s short.” 

Perkin says that this situation made her realize that before it is her time to go, she wants to make a name for herself and build a legacy for herself and her family. 

She plans on doing this by building her own affordable clothing line and naming it after her late friend in honor of him. Perkins wants her line to be streetwear that appeals to young adults around her age.

Jada May met Perkins on a night out. She says the first thing Perkins spotted was the orange platform converse that she wore and ever since then, they were friends. May says that Perkins always helps her pick out outfits for events. 

“It kind of made me feel like I can’t dress,” May said. 

But may loves the things that Perkins picks out.

She emphasizes that she wanted it to be affordable because when she was younger and wanted to wear brands like Rocawear and Ed Hardy, she was unable to because she couldn’t afford them for herself. 

She plans on building her business by becoming active on social media and posting different outfits that she already wears mixed in with the clothes that she creates herself. She also would like to get brand ambassadors and models for her page so that the audience sees she is not the only one wearing her brand.

Once Perkins becomes big enough in the social media fashion industry, she would like to open a boutique to sell her streetwear as well as provide a space for other Black entrepreneurs in the fashion industry to sell their products. 

Perkins has the support of all her family and friends.

“I’m so excited to sit on the sideline and watch Arteunnah flourish,” Morgan Morris, a long-time friend, said. “She wanted this for so long and deserves a big win.”

Perkins already has sketches of outfits she would like to make and is ready to get her business up and running. She plans to own her own boutique within the next five years.