My wife on the left and me wearing the first Glitterati branded t-shirt

In 2006, my girlfriend (now wife) helped me found Glitterati Communications as a freelance graphic design consultancy. By 2010, I found myself wanting to have more independence than client consulting allows and was searching for a project where I had complete control. That project was Be Glitterati. Building the Be Glitterati brand has been a fun and creatively fulfilling ride, but in recent months I’ve struggled with its identity and where it should go in the future.

The glitterati are known as fashionable people involved in show business or other “glamorous activities” but my glitterati are the anti-glitterati – we’re the rebels who fight for creative expression - not glamour. We can’t be defined by conventional labels because we are a diverse group that’s not tied to an age, gender, race or socioeconomic category. What DOES define us is a strong belief in creative and social expression through clothing and an appreciation for high quality products.

I recently read Unlabel: Selling You Without Selling Out by Marc Ecko, and was taken with how much credence he gives to authenticity. Ecko is best known as one of the founders of Ecko Unltd. and Complex Media. He believes that his greatest moments of success come when he stays true to his core beliefs and this inspired me to get back to mine. I want to thank Beau and Kimberley at Napkin Inc. for helping me get there.

As Be Glitterati, I wanted to be the cool kid in the room and live the “glitterati lifestyle”. I still strive for more in life, but I’m spending a lot more time enjoying life’s journey. I also believe that artists should be proud to make a living with their gifts and my brand should celebrate that.

What does all of this mean?

It means that Be Glitterati is now “Art Pays Me.”

I want to send a huge thank you to all of my new and old supporters. This isn’t the end, it’s a new beginning.

Duane