We had the good fortune of connecting with Tori Nichel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tori Nichel, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
The single most important decision I made that has contributed to my career success knowing being an entrepreneur was my north star is working for other companies and design houses prior to launching my first business, my namesake collection Tori Nichel.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Maison Black is a destination for discovery for Black designers. Maison Black creates immersive shopping experiences through pop-up activations across the country. Maison Black bridges community and commerce, fosters unity and creates space for Black creatives to build legacies and Black heritage brands. Maison Black’s mission is to enhance the ease of findability of black designed products. Maison Black’s curated capsule experiences allows the purveyors of design and style to be recognized across the globe. As a global retail destination Maison Black amplifies the innovative design of Black creatives who exemplify design excellence. What sets us apart? First as the Founder & CEO, I am an accomplished womenswear designer myself who has launch, rebranded multi-million brands nationwide. Why is that important because I know the business, respect the craft and my work is not performative.  It’s neceassary and I am willing to do the work to shift and influence industry norms. In addition, the future walks alongside me.  Launching a fashion design mentorship program through our Maison Black Foundation partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan has inspired a community of aspiring teens designers awhile equipping them with the skillsets of design and business acumen to thrive as a fashion designer in their entrepreneurial endeavors and higher education aspirations.

How did I get to where I am today?
Sweat equity. That simple. As an accomplished womenswear designer in the advanced contemporary space I put in the work, still do. I have led multi-million dollar brands for fashion companies. The corporate structure of some of the design houses I led design teams for helped refine and sharpen the business acumen I would need to pair with my creative ingenuity to thrive as an entrepreneur. It’s not easy. It’s actually incredibly hard. In my head I’ve closed my business a million times but my faith keeps me going. I’m doing purpose driven work to shift industry, culture and authentic acceptance and inclusivity.

Lessons I have learned along the way… Ask for help. Let people know what I am doing and how they can help. Beta test.

The world needs to know first and foremost I am a successful womenswear designer who has touched EVERY aspect of the fashion ecosystem throughout my career, ie, design, merchandising, supply chain manufacturing, omni channel retail experiences. Therefore the space and work I am doing and creating through Maison Black is authentic and pure, drawing on actual experiences from across the globe as a respected industry insider.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A few of my favorite places is Venice Beach but first you must start your say at Toast for breakfast. Finish with dinner at Gjelina. I would make my way up to Malibu. At the moment I would make sure we saw Jean-Michel Basquiat King Pleasure.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There is not enough space in this article to shout out everyone who has gotten me to the place I am today especially Maison Black. #TeamMB is a huge family. Nationwide love. I am blessed. Those people who see my vision and understand I have been called to be the vessel of change to reimagine and create a retail environment that is inclusive for all. That said my Dad who always urged my siblings & I to bet on ourselves always, shoot the shot. My entire New York and Detroit tribe, Chanan Edwards, Nicole Magnani, Tiffany Hilson, Lissa Hussian, Niki Hall, Peter Arnold, Faith Lucas, Christina Chen-Sorgi, Omar Jermaine, Yves Aubry,  all my advisors, interns, assistants, volunteers, project managers. LVMH, Shinola, Taubman, Fashion Institute of Technology, Maison Black’s Advisory Board, Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, Kohl’s, Michigan State University. WWD, Washington Post, vogue.com. The list goes on. I am truly blessed.  It takes a village.  Cultivate and nurture that village. People who have never run a business have no idea the power of “How can I help?”, “What do you need?”, “I got you” then ACTUALLY show up and show out on your behalf. Those who have showed up and rolled up their sleeves alongside me because they simply believe in me, our mission and the community impact.

Website: www.maisonblack.shop

Instagram: @maisonblacknewyork @torinichel

Linkedin: Maison Black

Facebook: @maisonblacknewyork

Youtube: @maisonblacknewyork

Other: Tik Tok: @maisonblacknewyork

Image Credits
Oluwaseye Olusa Darren Clark, RedFoot Vegas

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