| As
a companion piece to the article on Gear: What You Rock and Why,
we wanted to expose you to other options to help uh, diversify your
wardrobe. The following is an interview with Timothy Luckett, founder
of Redeem Wear, one of many emerging Christian Clothiers.
How long has Redeem
Wear been in existence?
- Redeem Wear has been in existence since July 1998.
What prompted you to
start a clothing company?
What prompted me to start a clothing company was an awesome experience;
it was the first time I heard the Lord speak to me. Redeem Wear
was not the first name I was given, but what I found out over the
years as I matured as a Christian and as the clothing company evolved
that the words that God spoke in my spirit were all apart of my
life’s testimony.
It all began after going through some personal heartache
and pain; I began the process of establishing a relationship with
Christ and attending church regularly. I was driving down the street
and I heard the Lord say, “look around—, look at the
clothes, what do you see?” I saw people in Tommy Hilfiger,
FUBU, and Polo. He said who are they exalting, themselves and fancy
slogans.” He then charged me with this assignment with the
question, “Why isn’t there a clothing line
that exalts what I’ve done for you?” Then
the name of the first clothing concept I attempted resounded in
my soul…Agape’ which means unconditional love.
After that encounter I began to do research on how
to start a clothing company and I found out how expensive it was,
so prayed and asked the Lord to show me how to begin. A few days
went by and I took a trip to Hobby Lobby I happened to walk by a
display that featured t-shirt transfers. The transfers allow you
to create t-shirts with a home computer. I couldn’t believe
that you could do such a thing. I read the directions to find out
what I needed. I purchased a 3pk of t-shirts, rented a computer
and color printer and the clothing company was underway.
I encountered some success, but I couldn’t
get the trademark. What a defeat!
After a year or so I still couldn’t shake the
assignment and the Lord dropped another word in my spirit, Adonai,
which means one Lord one master. I came up with a design concept,
made some shirts, applied for the trademark and was ready to dig
back in. I had just purchased a house, landed a new job and a vehicle.
I can remember praying, “Lord do not let me go through what
Job did in Your bible.” (Listen at the arrogance)
Time went on and I had to make a major decision. In thirty minutes
after the decision, I lost everything that I had worked so hard
for, not to mention I was denied the trademark for adonai.
I lived with a friend for a while, but his wife
didn’t want me there, so I slept in my car; I can remember
sleeping in their driveway and leaving before they left for work.
A friend of mine found out about my situation and he rented a two-bedroom
apartment for us to live in. We slept on the floor and didn’t
know what we were going to eat sometimes, but the Lord provided.
It was a humbling experience for me, because I thought I was in
control of everything. I had to learn how to trust in the Lord and
not in people, material possessions or money. I also had to walk
by faith and not by sight (really)! I learned so much about myself
and I understood the importance of having a relationship with God.
You see I’ve always worked for Fortune 500 companies in a
management position and now I was down and out with nothing materially,
but with everything spiritually, I had finally found peace--not
peace, because my account said so, but because God said so.
That was a life changing experience. I rededicated
my life to the Lord and promised him that I would run for Him the
remainder of my life; and He gently breathed these words in my spirit,
“you are redeemed!” and Redeem Wear was born.
I came up with the logo design, made some shirts and applied for
the trademark---We got it!
As I reflected on the journey with the clothing company
I looked at the words that the Lord spoke in my spirit:
| With agape’ he was letting
me know that he loved me unconditionally no matter what I’d
done in the past |
| With adonai’ he was
letting me know that no matter how much I thought I achieved
and no matter how successful I thought I was He was in control
|
| And with redeem—wow;
it like sums up Jesus’ destiny to redeem us back to
the Father, but not only that, once we decide to believe in
our heart and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord then
we will be redeemed as well! |
|
Has
it been a worthwhile venture? If so, why?
Yes it has been a very worthwhile “adventure”
for me; I love meeting people, talking about God and Redeem Wear
with them. I also get a sense of joy, because they seem to appreciate
it, not appreciate it because I designed it, but because they appreciate
having the option to wear garments that represent who they are as
Christians.
How have people responded
to Redeem Wear (MCs, Christians and non-Christians alike)?
The response has been great in the markets that we
have introduced Redeem Wear. We have traveled to Miami and Tampa
for different events and have made many connections with MCs, artist
and consumers of Christian products from all over the country. Also,
many of the artist and MCs that I’ve come in contact with
like the garments and are apart of the Redeem Wear Family. We’ve
set up distribution deals with many of them and they also wear the
garments as they minister the word through hip-hop in their respective
hometowns; I often get praise reports on the response to the garments.
As for non-Christians they have overwhelmingly responded
to Redeem Wear. They seem to appreciate and respect the message.
In addition they’ll encourage you to continue with the message
and remind you that they need God too, which opens doors for you
to minister to them!
Many people are eager for us to launch different product
lines, because they don’t want to wear garments or support
certain designers that don’t line up with their professed
lifestyle. That response has grown and I see God elevating Christian
Clothing Companies to be able to provide the goods that the consumers
are looking for.
How many Christian clothiers
are you aware of? Do you have any communication with them regularly
and if so is any networking taking place?
I only know of about 10 or so, but Christian retailers
are popping up all the time. I get emails from people asking a lot
of “how-to” questions.
I have talked with a couple of designers about getting
together and collaborating on some concepts, but no real responses
yet. I’ve been tossing around the idea of putting together
a holy hip-hop fashion council as a means to network and help other
clothiers get started. We have a responsibility to make sure that
the garments we produce represent Christ properly and the messages
behind the garments line up with the Word.
What barriers or challenges do companies
like your face?
The barriers and challenges differ I guess from company to company,
but the challenges for me and some of the entrepreneurs that I’ve
spoken with have been working capital, being taken serious as designers
and getting to the mass market place via major retail outlets.
Again, because of these barriers I want to get with
other clothiers to form the holy hip-hop fashion council, together
we can make a real impact for Jesus in this fashion conscious society.
It has already confounded the wise that God has birthed ministries
through clothing to reach people, I feel if secular designers can
get together and tell us what the hot fashions are from season to
season; we can get together to support each other, share our resources
and pray. We can also discuss how we are going to effect lives from
year to year and come up with creative ways to make an impact for
Christ.
How have you responded
to critics or skeptics as it relates to Redeem Wear?
The critics and skeptics only fuel me to continue to fight the good
fight of faith. I truly believe that God gave others and me ministries
through fashion. As for a response, the only way I chose to respond
is to create quality garments that support the lifestyle of Christians
worldwide and combat the images of fashion that hold our youth captive. |
