Narrator> This podcast is made possible through listener contributions to the ETV Endowment of South Carolina.

♪ >> Yo, what's up beautiful people?

I am Kennedy Alexander.

This is Courtney Thomas, along with our D.J.

T.O.

And this is the "Auxdacity."

Some voices don't just sing, they resonate.

Zenobia Joell delivers a rich, soulful sound filled with passion and depth.

Courtney> Today's episode is all about the way that fashion influences culture and music.

We have two incredible guests with us today.

We have Diko Pekdemir-Lewis and Chris Scott.

Thank you all so much for being with us.

So I want to start with you, Diko.

Can you give me three words that describe your personal style?

>> My personal style I would say is black, elegant and edgy.

Courtney> I can see the elegance.

<Yes.> That's wonderful.

How about you, Chris?

>> I would say simple, unique and trendy.

Kennedy> So when did you guys like first realize that fashion was sort of important to your identity?

Chris Scott> Oh, man, that for me, being from Brooklyn and having to travel around around Brooklyn, I had to be different, you know what I'm saying?

I lived in East New York.

I went to school and Bed-Stuy.

So you actually had to have style to stand out.

So I would say back from junior high school, high school on through.

Kennedy> Okay.

Yeah.

What about you, Diko?

Diko> I grew up with it.

So my mom is a singer.

My dad is a tailor and seeing my dad making the gowns for my mom and my mom wearing them on stage, that influenced me from the baby age on, very young.

Courtney> I can really see the tailoring in, in your brand.

Can you talk a little bit to me about why you make some of the choices that you make with structure, and maybe how that's influenced by your background?

Diko> I knew one day when I grow up, I wanted to be a fashion designer, and I made clothing for my Barbies and Kens, (laughter) and then, yeah, fit and quality was very important to me.

And I think that has a lot to do with the background of my dad.

And then I did the traditional background.

I went to school for fashion design, got my bachelors, and before that I went to, a three year school where you learn dressmaking and tailoring.

So that's why all my clothing have always tailoring in it.

<Yes.> Kennedy> I hear an accent.

Where, where is that coming from.

So my accent is from Germany.

I was born and raised in Germany <Okay.> But my parents were immigrants.

So my mom is from Turkey and my dad's side, grandparents, my dad's parents, sorry, they are from Dagestan which is at the Caspian Sea in Russia.

And my grandpa is from the Crimea Island, which is in the Ukraine, but they all ended up in Germany, met each other.

And so my parents and them have us children there.

Kennedy> Oh man, that's awesome.

I spent a little bit of time in Germany and with that Turkish background, like I love a good...I know we're talking about fashion but I love a good Doner kebab.

Diko> Yes.

(laughter) I know.

I miss them so much.

Kennedy> I want to stop everything and find a shop and grab some.

<Yes.> Oh, that's cool.

Chris, I had a question for you, man.

You talked about, being in Brooklyn and, you know, especially in junior high needing like to stand out and use fashion to kind of, do that I'm not the most fashionable guy, like I, <I mean> I mean, I mean, I mean, I mean, I put this together.

<Yeah.

Okay> Cause I want to, you know, I want to I want to, you know, stand out, but blend in at the same time.

But when you're in high school, when you're in junior high and you're putting together fashion, are you making up the rules as you go, or are you kind of following any established rules?

And how important is it?

Chris> Oh, for me, being an individual was has always been at the forefront, you know, making sure I stand out.

So, you know, you start with the kicks and you work your way up.

That's how I do it.

As long as my kicks and my fitting is good, the rest come together.

<All right.> So you start off you start off that way.

And, and I've never been one to actually follow the trends.

I kind of set my own, you know, so with baggy jeans or so on and so forth was in, I wasn't really following that trend I always had like the straight cut you know, always like that clean cut.

That's one thing my mom always told me.

When you iron your jeans, make sure you iron your jeans right.

Make sure you go out presentable.

<Yeah.> I actually had an older sister that would snuff me, if I didn't go outside looking right.

You know, that's just, that's just how it was.

She had to make sure her little brother was, was right because anybody would pick on you.

<Yeah.> So, you know, just, just developing that, you know, that's how I developed my style, being able to stand out and still be myself.

Kennedy> Man, I can relate to that.

But, you know, in that era, growing up, especially the late 90s, early 2000, the baggy jeans.

My dad never allowed me to, like, wear, being baggy clothes like.

So I was always I used to get picked on for dressing like Carlton, (laughter) from the Fresh Prince.

But then when Kanye West came along, then now everybody's dressing ...with the style.

Courtney> Yeah.

Kanye and Jay also had like a way of maybe bringing the look into more of like the mainstream.

So I'm really curious for everybody.

I kind of want to start with like T.O.

too, like, who are some of those cultural icons whose style influenced you?

Because I look at Janet Jackson as one of my style icons, but what about you, T.O?

T.O> I was just about to say Kanye, because like you said, you know, Kanye created a whole movement with the college boy look.

And then, you know, everybody was doing one thing in music, and Jay turned everybody away from that because it's like all we, you know, we 30 and up, we're not doing so the throw backs, we do button ups, and then what did you see a shift.

Everybody's on button ups, and S. Carters or whatever.

So growing up in Brooklyn like what artists maybe inspired you into like how you designed or how you wore your clothes other than, of course, the Kanyes and Jay-Zs?

Chris> Fab, Fabolous.

You know?

Yeah, I went to school.

I went to school in Bed Stuy, So Fabolous was it at that point in time.

And then of course, you had Dipset with Jim Jones ...and so on and so forth, and then Jay.

But, you know, then Ye came along and changed the game.

He kind of added like that, that, that preppy style to it.

So he had that street, that street credibility, preppy style and that's how that, You know, you go between those you can go from Kanye West to, you know, Fab.

And you know, and I definitely identified.

Courtney> Are there any artists or cultural moments that influenced your work, Diko?

Diko> Yes.

So as a kid, I loved Madonna.

I loved Madonna so much.

And I was always, you know, when I'm when I'm older, I want to be like Madonna.

Now, I don't know.

(laughter) Courtney> Fair.

Valid.

Diko> Back then.

Yes, Madonna.

And then when I was a teenager, definitely.

The Cure and the goth scene.

So, that was my thing.

And that's actually when I started wearing all black.

Kennedy> I was just about to ask that.

I was going to ask that.

Courtney> black times... Diko> Yes, and I remember sometimes all the German ladies came up to me and they were like, has somebody died in your family?

Oh, no, no, I just wear black, all the time.

T.O.> I'm curious how in Germany was your style different than like the norm?

Because, you know, we have fashion here and so was the black, not a thing?

Diko> It is, but not necessarily by teenagers.

It's more yeah, adults have, wear all black or more darker colors.

So also gray and charcoal.

But mine I think too, the music influence was heavily black and I just I always felt so elegant.

And then also, Coco Chanel, she also had the little black dress.

So it was so many factors playing a role that I end up wearing all black.

Kennedy> I'm the same way like, like black is like my favorite color to wear or my favorite shade., sometimes I know, like when we put whatever outfits we kind of put together, it can influence our moods or makes or shows an expression of our moods.

Does...would you say that that's true?

Or how does that affect you?

Diko> Oh, yes.

So sometimes when we have theme parties and you have to wear a certain color and I'm like, oh, Okay, I force myself and I feel so wrong.

I feel like that's not me.

<Yeah.> And so I stopped doing that.

And I told people, if you want me into your party, you have to expect accept me the way how I dress.

Otherwise I don't come to your party.

So I might add a little bit of color with jewelry or a little accessory, but black is the color.

Courtney> Chris, I'd like to hear a little bit more about your brand and how that kind of shows up in the way you want to influence the culture.

Chris> Oh, wow.

So "Dyes Effx" basically came from it's just me being creative during Covid.

I really I bought a $70 T-shirt and I was like, man, I could have I could have did this myself.

And so, I actually started doing it myself and went to Walmart, bought a couple of white t-shirts.

And then before I knew it, I'm doing fashion shows.

And so how it shows up is, is in community.

The premise behind it is that I'm able to communicate, I'm able to get to get my message out.

I'm able to interact with, with my people in the community.

And so I always say collaboration is key.

So this is allowing me to collaborate with different photographers, other designers, you know, different shows and so on and so forth.

So that's how it's showing up for me.

It's being, it's getting me here, you know, to say in front of you guys like, that's, that's where it's showing up.

That's why I'm proud of, proud to say I'm, I'm showing up in a community because not being from here, you know, I definitely want to be able to touch bases and, you know, just get a... get a good feel for what Columbia has to offer.

Kennedy> Okay.

How long have you been here?

Chris> I've been here since 2012.

Kennedy> Oh, well, welcome.

Courtney> Yeah.

Well, I mean, Chris> It's been a minute, but, you know, I mean, I take the Brooklyn out the kid.

Kennedy> I hear.

T.O.> So not being that you're not from here, what have you found has been the easiest way to get your...items in front of the consumers, outside of the community but the everyday average consumer?

Chris> Instagram.

That's how I get Instagram and Tik Tok.

I'm not too keen on Tik Tok, but, Instagram has been, you know, the driving force behind the brand.

I noticed that if I'm showing my process, people want to become a part of it.

They like to, they like to, you know, feel like they're they're invested in you.

So being able to show my process and also be a part of the shows, I think a lot of the fashion shows that I've been a part of has given a lot more visibility to the brand, has given me opportunities to put what I like, what I love, really on display.

Courtney> Diko, I think the first time I learned about you and your brand was at Columbia Fashion Week, and I'd like to know a little bit more about how you bring your brand into, the community and how you help people access your incredible style, by the way.

Diko> Thank you.

I also, I moved here in 2016, so my husband is American, and I've been in the US, for now, for 20 years now vacation and then actually moved here.

And when the Army told us, I will be in South Carolina and he's stationed in Sumter.

Retired now, but I looked, okay.

What's out there?

What can I do?

Where can I, showcase my brand?

So I found out about Soda City and I signed up for it in October 2016.

And for one year I used Soda City as my platform to show my brand who I am.

And then I, during Soda City.

Oftentimes, other creators came by, so I got to meet more creatives.

They took me in their circle, which helped me a lot, and I participated in every fashion show out there.

Now I'm more selective.

But back then, back then I thought, you know, this is a great opportunity to bring out my, my name.

And then I, rented a studio at Taps on Main Street.

<Wow> And that place was so fantastic, I loved it.

And then in 2019, it got sold.

So December we moved to Five Points.

So for me, it's very good to have a brick and mortar because I have often just walk-in customers and then USC parents are always in Five Points.

That helps me a lot to, to bring new customers.

And then I still do fashion shows.

Columbia Fashion Week is one of my favorites, and because I'm local and we support each other, and since Juliette Muller took it over, I'm a part of it.

I love what she does, and I'm also a board member of the Lions, so that helps.

And I'm a board member of Columbia Design League, so everywhere where I can have my influence or help, I take part of it.

And yeah, through fashion shows you build that, circle.

And it's like, yeah, I saw that a designer is at the show and I was wondering who it is.

And then...family.

T.O.> See, I'm not super fashionable, so I don't know all the... I know Columbia Fashion Week, I don't know all the events, but I'm sure it's a ton for you guys.

But do you sometimes feel like being in South Carolina?

You're limited on the exposure or opportunities as if you were in Atlanta or New York or Paris?

Of course, you know.

Diko> Yes and no.

I think again, Columbia Fashion Week, luckily they do a lot.

But I did also showcase at New York Fashion Week.

And interestingly, when I came back, people were like, oh, she was at New York Fashion Week.

So I had to go away and come back so that people.

<Gain credibility...?> Yes.

Yeah.

So that was interesting, but I mean, yeah, I think we have a good amount of fashion and then, you know, with social media using that and get connected with USC.

I mean, we do have opportunity.

Yeah.

You just have to know which one and where to go.

Kennedy> If you had to choose a genre of music, and this is for both you guys, if you had to pick a genre of music that best reflects Answer both of these, is your personal style and your, your, your designs, like what genre of music would you choose?

Diko> That's hard because I love EDM.

<Yes.> So that's as a, as an adult, I listen to EDM and I still do.

I do love hip hop.

I start listening to hip hop also in the mid 90s, and it was one song.

My favorite song was Quiet Storm.

Mobb Deep.... (Cheering) <Okay, okay.> Yeah, that was I was still like, yeah.

My favorite song out there.

And and then of course goth music.

So it's a combination of all three.

I would say, I can't just say, this is it.

It's all three different.

Depends on my mood.

Yeah.

<Yeah> But it's all three music.

Courtney> I can see that.

Kennedy> Okay.

What about you Chris?

Chris> I would say it's a blend between like jazz and hip hop, I think personally, like on my daily, I probably would consider it like jazz because, you know, you wake up...It depends on how you wake up.

You catch a rhythm.

I think every day I think life has a rhythm.

<Yeah.> Everything has a certain rhythm to me.

So sometimes I feel like jazz.

And then when I, you know, when I'm stepping out on a weekend and whatnot, that's all hip hop, you know, you think about the name of my brand, it's inspired by hip hop.

So yeah, I would say between and not the latest hip hop, I want to say late 80s, early 90s.

<Okay> a little bit of the 2000s, but yeah, I that's my era of hip hop.

Kennedy> Again, going back to kind of fashion rules, have you guys ever taken like a, like a risk like, like, man, I don't know if this is like how this is going to work out and, and it's paid off?

Like, have you ever, has that ever happened to you before?

Diko> Yes.

And it was just, just recently.

So I, you know, I always like to learn something new.

And as a kid I learned weaving.

And I thought, you know, I thought about it.

Yeah.

Something new I have to add in my, in my craft.

And then I saw this weaving course and I took part of it.

And then I created this piece where I leave the pockets out of, scraps I have.

I cut the linen and the feedback is so amazing.

But first, I did not know if that would work together or if my sewing machine would sew it on.

Luckily it all worked and now I'm so into it.

I want to make a whole piece out of weave and and then also with the color black.

You know, I'm in South Carolina where people love color.

<Yeah.> So that was the biggest risk.

And I thought I'd stick with it.

And during Covid, I took marketing classes and there I learned one sentence.

What you design is not for everybody.

The person who would love it, they will find you and purchase it.

So I have that in my mindset.

And I think there are people like me who love wearing black.

They will find me.

And so I think that was one of the biggest risks I took coming to South Carolina and having a clothing line based on the color black.

Kennedy> Yeah, that's some good advice for Courtney> It is Kennedy> creatives, in general.

A lot of times you're concerned about, man where's my audience or who my audience is.

It's like, just create the thing and your audience <will find you> will find you or you'll find them.

T.O.> And it's definitely easier now with social media.

You know, one good reel can take you right to where you, I mean, you're worldwide at that point.

T.O.> So yeah, it makes it a little easier.

So it starts in South Carolina.

But, would you say, where, where would you if you had to leave South Carolina and expand?

What would be home, the ideal fashion home?

Diko> So I either New York City or Tokyo.

Kennedy> Tokyo.

Diko> Yes.

Okay.

Sometimes I tell my husband, let's move to Tokyo.

And he looks at me like, no, let's stay here.

(laughing) Yeah.

Oh, yeah.

But yeah, New York, New York City.

I love New York City and I when I, when I'm there and I get off the taxi and I'm like, yeah, this is home.

Everybody dressed the same way I do.

I need to be here.

T.O.> These are my people.

Diko> Yeah, I, I always feel that in New York.

So I think mainly New York, secondary Tokyo.

Courtney> Yeah.

Okay.

What about you, Chris?

Yeah Chris> I'm thinking L.A.

I think L.A.

is really an eclectic, scenery out there.

And so, you know with what I do, I think the colors would really pop and, you know, you can wear, anything I create, you can wear all seasons out there.

So I think L.A., and then maybe Atlanta.

I just think Atlanta is like a hub for all things fashion right now.

<It is.

Yeah.> So I think either L.A.

or Atlanta.

Courtney> I want to play a quick game with y'all.

Okay.

So just make one choice.

This or that.

<Okay> Okay?

Sneakers or heels?

Diko> Sneakers.

Courtney> Okay.

Vintage or new?

>> New Courtney> Bold colors or all black.

Diko> All black.

Courtney> What if we switched it up?

(laughing) Studio or stage?

Diko> Studio.

Courtney> Okay.

Chris.

Chris> Yes.

Courtney> This or that?

<Okay.> Real fast.

Vintage or new?

Chris> Vintage Courtney> Studio or stage?

Chris> I like the studio.

Courtney> Okay, okay.

Bold colors or all black?

Chris> Bold colors.

Courtney> Okay.

I want to talk about the future of fashion, y'all.

Okay, so where do you see fashion moving in, let's just keep it easy, over the next ten years?

Diko> So the next ten years, I think that hopefully people wake up and stop, purchasing fast fashion, because it's so bad for the skin, the environment, for everything.

So.

And I think A.I.

might have an influence in it because, people use it and, Yeah.

And I think people care more about.

So people are waking up and I see that in younger generations.

My daughter is 15, my younger daughter and I see that they care more about quality and, want to have pieces that last.

So I think that's the future.

Pay more attention on quality instead of fast, cheap fashion.

T.O.> You know, as an actual designer, like, I don't want to say the names, but we know a couple fast fashion retailers, how do you see, do you see us fighting in any kind of way?

Because it starts with the economy.

It's affordable.

You know, people might, especially with social media now, they may only wear things one time, once they wear it out, they feel like, oh, I can't wear it again.

So it's just the easiest.

How do you feel like we can I mean, as a designer, like how do you fight that?

Diko> So I think it's best to educate and, you know, start clothes like with your children, your, your partner, your friends, your family, because then they can carry it on.

And I think we just have to educate people.

I think that's the easiest way.

Start small.

Courtney> Start small, start small.

I want to bring us on home now.

And just since you were talking about the future, let's just give some advice to creatives.

So what advice would you give young creators on how to find their own personal style?

Chris> Start with your parents.

In some cases you can start with your parents, like I know my daughter now so you can go shopping in her grandma's closet and I love her style.

So start with the people who came before you and then you know, also be aware of what's going on around you.

You know, somebody like a, like an ASAP Rocky probably carries like, you know, he has a, he has a certain taste when it comes to clothing, but he also knows how to curate a line.

And so I say start with your parents and then also be yourself to just be yourself.

You know, what I do is pretty much how I feel in that morning.

You know, I could put on a song in the morning and get dressed.

And by the time I step out the shower, I know what I'm wearing.

So stay yourself.

Start with your parents.

If your parents don't have style, look at your brothers or your sisters.

Like, look at what, what you relate to.

And then take that and make it your own, make it your own.

Courtney> How about you, Diko?

Any advice?

Diko> Yeah, I would also say don't be a copycat again.

I see it at my daughter's school when they have some events and I ask her why do everybody look the same?

Do boys wear the same?

And the girls wear the same?

And I'm so happy that she doesn't, And, I think that is so important.

Trust yourself and be different.

That's okay.

You don't have to blend in.

That's very important.

But of course, that needs courage because, sticking out, you have to have a little bit more confidence, then blending in is easier.

But I would say do it anyway because you will find your peer, you will find you people who are kind of like you, but you are unique and uniqueness wins over blending in.

Kennedy> I'm a public school teacher, so I'm going to try to take some of the advice.

I'm trying to find my own, kind of style identity.

And so my principal will say, "Hey, Mr.

Robinson why are you not in a shirt and tie?"

I was like, "Hey, that's not me."

(laughing) <I'm trying to stand out.> I'm trying to stand out.

I can't be like all the other teachers.

Nah, but this has been a great Thank y'all for being here.

Courtney> Style tells a story before the first note ever plays.

Kennedy> So tap in with us.

Follow the show and stay locked in for what's coming next?

Both> Have the "Auxdacity" to leave your mark.

>> For those that don't know me, I'm Claudia and I am here with the Andrea Serrano.

I am so excited to interview right now.

For those that don't know you, tell them about what you do and why you're here today.

>> Yes, so I am a wardrobe stylist by trade.

I've been doing this for 30 years, believe it or not.

Basically, I dress people for a living.

I also offer services where I can produce the shoot, and hire the creative team.

And there always has to be music on set.

For me that is a necessity.

Like music always brings a vibe.

You know, when you bring the vibe and the music, you know, that's when the model loosens up, the talent loosens up, everybody gets into the zone and it makes such a big difference.

So I also my title is the Vibe Facilitator.

So music is always like, you got to have a playlist.

Claudia> A vibe facilitator.

I might have to use that one day.

Andrea> Yes.

Use it.

Claudia> I need a vibe facilitator here, please.

How has music shaped your creative eye throughout your career?

Andrea> Wow.

It started at a very young age.

I grew up in the 80s, and the 90s, watching MTV and MTV was like your go to for pop culture, whether it was in music or fashion.

>> Are there any genres or an artist that instantly spark any visual inspiration for you?

Andrea> Gosh.

I mean, it goes from everything from the avant garde.

I love Chappell Roan, a Lady Gaga, you know?

Am I going to dress like that every day?

No.

But, like, as far as conceptual and artistic take on styling, I really admire those artists.

Claudia> So if fashion had a soundtrack to your life, right now, what would it sound like?

Andrea> Oh my gosh.

(laughing) Maybe Chaka Khan.

"I'm Every Woman" Claudia> I love that!

Andrea> Just cause I wear a lot of hats, I love Chaka Khan.

I love music that just is joyful.

That's happy, inclusive, that celebrates life, that celebrates empowerment.

And so that would be the soundtrack of my life, of me.

Claudia> Thank you so much for joining us today.

This was so fun, and I'm excited to see what your future and, you know, what happens in your future.

So I'm super excited about that.

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