We’re looking forward to introducing you to Malek Robinson. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Malek, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What makes me proud that most don’t see is the joy from not only customers when receiving my orders but the change of mindset of where they once were after receiving my items to where they are now and how that specific peace spoke volumes and life into them at a dark space in their lives! Another big one is my my nephew being idolized by what I’m doing and who I’m doing it for cause it helps me guide him but makes me look into generation wealth and being more transparent as a uncle and mentor!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, my name is Malek Chevalier Robinson and I’m born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri and have lived here all 30 years of my life! I am a full time worker in the cannibas industry as lead technician as an mobius operator, also part time security guard for private security company, and fashion owner/stylist! My brand is called “Chevalier Fashion”, which is also named after my middle name, nephews and their father, & my father. The brand touches not only a family legacy but more of “purpose brand”, to explain what I mean by purpose is that I target Mental health, Motivation, & Love for my audience. Those 3 are not just speaking out about what’s going on in today’s present time, but touching the inner person through materials that can be not only visioned as masterpieces, but inspiring self reflection on common struggles individuals deal with internally! Every product made is not only just something to relate too but is also apart of my story also! The brand was established May 20th, 2022 and has been a journey ever since from the highs and lows and wins and losses but wouldn’t change any minute of it! The uniqueness of the brand from how its creating a legacy, but also impacting and generating wealth for the youth by pushing messages that gives voices a chance to be heard but in a style of fashion. My story is told through this brand through the struggles of mental health I have endured with the tragedies of loved ones and friends along the way whom have also descended from mental health resulting in suicides…. The biggest transition was taking that depression, grief, and anger and turning it into something that last forever which landed me five years strong in the business! Not only did I express my trauma through the garments I made, I also stepped into a different lane of making things possible and aspiring for those that were disabled and had a voice but couldn’t be expressed cause of they’re disorders given! Acknowledging others as human whether they had the same abilities or not never made me lose focus on creating something that’ll forever stick with them just as much me. Styling came from personal wardrobe as far as more elegant and sophisticated dress attire and family full of fashion and styled individuality! The gift of knowing how to put colors, different styled fabrics, & accessories together for all purposes stood out more as I developed my craft into designing more in my brand! Starting as little as a turtle neck or dress shirt to eventually leveling up to working on becoming a seamstress and developing my first suit! What’s currently going on and upcoming in my brand is to expand my brand into more charitable events and donating again to organizations based off of Certain projects that are made for those whom relate or actually going through that currently! I’m also developing my first luxury brand also which will debut its first piece next year and is called LUX (Luxury) by MR. It’s a sophisticated style of fashion that gives you the appearance for all purpose outings in luxury styled garments & accessories! We like to aim at keeping everything Classy, Fun, Smooth for all clients for whatever the occasion is set for them at any time! I’m also working to get into modeling more but directing also but it’s no rush just gods timing.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My brother Ramon C. Robinson (R. I. P.), seen me in many of phases but one that continued the most and it was shutting down and running away from my talent and emotions….. he was more than big brother sometimes even a father figure without knowing. He always reminded me to breathe, open up, let go even as hard headed as I was but understanding how trauma affected me he knew without a word being said! To be honest without him I wouldn’t keep going as hard as I do when it comes to making a dream be a reality let alone a outlet for others to seek opportunities in taking hard ships and making them something that will be talked, remembered, and worn forever! The motivation to balance all the grief and pain he manage to work through with me along side the rest of my relatives including through tragedies of our other two brothers Maurice Chevalier Robinson II & Ian Arthur Hamlett! (R. I. P.)
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Many of times I’ve wanted to give up, I honestly still have days where they’re not the best but it gets overwhelming…. The back and forth fight with your thoughts eventually can become a set back to discovery yourself in the brightest form! As hard as it gets you just have to change the outcome no matter what has you questioning what you do or developing is worth it in the end just cause you don’t have that many avenues you’ll flock too if you don’t feel like it’s helping you but serving more purpose than substance! Once you find something worth a purpose it makes you reevaluate how you carry that weight differently when you can put it into the universe and discover your calling!
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would honestly say family matters the most because that what keeps me going! Without them there is no me, without them there is no brand, without them there is no sun to my dark days! Family is everything when you lose some over the years but when you have a strong foundation of love, trust, and god anything is possible with them to make that sun shine on you even when it’s not recognized by the world yet!
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What pain do you resist facing directly?
Acknowledging that my brothers and close friends are gone but transitioning the thought of how they’re at the table with me in spirit! I resist it because of I’ve never had a chance to break my silence let alone my tears cause I’ve never had the chance too…… I’ve always been the head up chest out type of person cause of I’ve never been on the side of being comforted even when it’s offered and just never felt like something I should do…. The timing was always in anger so it never fixed me it damaged more. As I’ve gotten older, change has happen with it I openly talk more about my traumas that release some pain from that trauma but crying is still process…. To understand crying mad vs letting go and letting the emotions flow and finally being able to feel that presence of someone finally allowing me to be vulnerable and weak for once it’s my mission! Therapy is on and off with me but definitely an motion to when the hardest battles get to much to handle but I let my talent talk through clothing because it was my only savior personally
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cbymr.com
- Instagram: chevalier.bymr_ & lux_bymr
- Facebook: Chevalier Fashion
Image Credits
@zmax_x
@verklighetmedia
