SXSW 2014 Done Imperially

It has been a week now since the craziness began of SXSW music Festival here in Austin, TX. As a transplant in Austin for 3 years I can say that the festival has gotten bigger and badder every year. This comes from a well versed party folk raised in lovely Las Vegas, SXSW is a animal of its own and  that no major festival, event or tour can compete with. Imagine your favorite artists in music popping up at free shows after a day of networking (if you're looking to interact on a business level) with a belly full of free food and drinks provided by various major and start up companies looking to build or strengthen its relationship with customers or the various freeloathers es-cowering the city. Ours began on a somber note, at least for a fashion company, because we had been so focused on the last semester of school and getting new inventory in we didnt have any plans for SX (south by south west aka South By). The Imperial Fam ended up hitting the Blind Pig on 6th Street just at the beginning of interactive week which started on March 7th. An amazing band played, who did covers of rap songs in a rock/maroon 5 style- tunes from Lil Waynes "Lollipop" to R.Kellys "Pumb and Grind" were jammed out by a band of 6 members including a badass girl drummer, wish we would have gotten the name of the band as their original songs were truly amazing. The rest of the week followed at lightening speed but our highlight was seeing one of our friends electric cab company work with some amazing companies including Crooks and Castles who had a car wrapped and was Chauffeuring around the likes of Kendrick Lamar and the TDE crew, 50 Cent, H-Towns Slim Thugg among a few. After months of lagging content and school and work holding us up we were inspired by seeing the entrepreneurial success of JD, after having poured his blood, sweat and tears over a year ago into establishing the first electric car taxi service in Austin the fruits of his labor were finally showing and the great service he was providing for movers and shakers in the music industry did not go unnoticed. The realization of our friends company got our creative juices flowing again and with performances from 2Chainz (who busted up STUBBS mic at the Def Jam 30 Anniversary Party), Dom Kennedy, Schoolboy Q and the TDE crew (we saw preform 3 days in a row) , Skrillex, Killa Camron, A$ap Ferg(Complex House Party), Trae Tha Truth, Que, A$AP Mob, Future, and Mike Will Made it (at the coveted Illmore After Party Hosted by Diamond Supply Co), a great surprise appearance by the Legend Dj Mannie Fresh and the Hot new Rico Love. The incredible energy from this year's SXSW got us on action mode and grateful to be a part of this awesome city. The great shows, the go-getter spirit, the hustling and bustling show the amazing result of hard work that an active community has to offer. Please if you are ever able to come to Austin for SX or any other time, do so and get ready to experience the Live music capital, "Keep Austin weirdom", and greatness it has to offer. Most importantly, get your  creative juices flowing and draw inspiration from everything around you, whether a music festival or a brilliant book, there's fire awaiting ignition within us all. Be the best and enjoy the spirit of creativity and that which surrounds you!

Stay Imperial,
Imperial LU

Visualize your Dream

Here at Imperial Eloquence we maintain the proverbial one eye open on a motivation and success principles that we can put to use. We are inspired by the fashion we see as art, unique, and unapologetic but what goes beyond this is the stories of where they came from and we hope that on your imperial journey- can draw inspiration and knowledge en route to finding your calling.

Take the story of Trapstar London a military/biker culture inspired label that came up as most streetwear labels do- printing Graphic tees and now include a line of bespoke customer pieces worn by Hip-hop royalty and enthusiasts of revolutionary fashion everywhere. The brands beginnings and success was formed from a passion to create and in doing so Mikey Trapstar, co-founder and designer, was able to make stars out of those behind the brands success. "we felt we were Trapped but still shining in our current environment"  says the visionary on an interview for Jay-Z's Life + Times art curating site.

Numerous are the labels and businesses that have began with humble beginnings, they are often the perfect example of how visualizing an idea and taking action on it brought a dream into fruition. The innovating and creating was not an overnight process, the work and failures were in direct proportion to what success was achieved. We recently spoke with Ross Heffner of Veritas Apparel, a new label from New Orleans making waves with their crispy design concepts and blended aesthetics of streetwear and high fashion. "We lost money trusting unqualified manufacturers and refused to sell merchandise that was not up to par with what our customer deserved" Explained Ross a week prior to Veritas making its debut at Preview Tradeshow in Atlanta, GA. The attitude it takes to build something that is done well is the same one that entrepreneurs thrive on- seeing their vision regardless of the stumbling blocks in their way, visionaries keep their focus on the goal and recognize the obstacles in the way as  benchmarks, a sort of confirmations that they are moving forward. "Where I came from people laughed at your dreams, a lot of people are caught up on a lack-poverty stricken mentality, we couldn't let that kill the dream that was Veritas Apparel, we are going through with the vision through the end..."  Ross knows the path to success is not an easy one, as long as there is growth there will be challenges and there is a visionary in all of us that can take this on. It's a blessing in it of its own to find your passion but what separates a success from a dreamer is the perfect quote by TE Lawrence:"All men dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: But the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes to make them possible"

Dream on and do, visualize and act. This is what will clear your Imperial path and lead you to the success and joy that should be life!

Peep Veritas Fresh Pieces here.