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Business/Organization: Ragtrade Atlanta

Title: Founder

Email: angela@ragtradeatlanta.com

Biography:

Angela Watts is an award-winning marketing and communications (marcom) executive, and the founder of RAGTRADE Atlanta, a creative and event production agency, which strategically build partnerships between brands and fashion design talent, retailers, and multi-hyphenate creatives through collaborations, brand launches, experiential marketing, content, and business development programs. Currently based in Atlanta, GA, Watts has led strategy for a variety of global brands and agencies for 20+ years. Since starting her marcom and event production career in 2003, Watts has worked with major brands to produce some of the most memorable fashion moments in Atlanta. Brand partnerships include Macy’s, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Lincoln Motor Company, Microsoft, Atlanta Hawks, Bloomingdale’s, Airbnb, United Artist Releasing, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Arts Institute of Atlanta, Bauder College, and more. A few years later, Watts launched RAGTRADE ATLANTA, a fashion organization committed to developing a sustainable fashion industry for the city of Atlanta. Angela’s progressive work for this underserved community garnered her one of the city’s biggest honors, the City of Atlanta Phoenix Award in 2014. In 2017, Watts was approached by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the world’s busiest airport to develop and execute Global Runway, a marketing program that successfully merged fashion and aviation through a unique brand experience that highlighted the diverse fashion, lifestyle and beauty options offered at ATL. Since its initial launch, Global Runway has increased retail profits by millions and garnered brand impressions globally. Two years later, Watts continued advocacy and belief in the city’s efforts to shape American style, Watts and her team announced Atlanta Fashion Week official partnership with the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment in October 2019. In 2021, RAGTRADE ATLANTA and ATLFW became a founding member of CFDA Connects; a program that recognizes, promotes, and provides business development support to select Regional Fashion Organizations (RFOs), their Fashion Weeks and the Designers based within these key US markets. Passion for others have always played a major part in Watts efforts to give back to young leaders. With a knack for cultivating strong relationships and leveraging resources, Angela provides quarterly mentorship to support creatives and startups who are striving to make a lasting impact in business and entrepreneurship. Watts studied marketing at Georgia State University and has served on the board for Fashion Group International and Black Public Relations Society of Atlanta. Currently, Angela is a board member with the National Black Arts (NBAF).

Business/Organization: ALEIMAN

Title: Executive Creative Director

Email: ariley@aleiman.com

Biography:

As Executive Creative Director of ALEIMAN, Alea Brummell Riley oversees its operations, creative, and development processes. Often referred to by colleagues as the business-minded creative, she leverages her strategic and artistic senses by combining thoughtful garment construction, high-end natural fabrics, and environmentally conscious practices embracing a slow fashion and sustainable focused business model. Riley was immersed in fashion for much of her life. Early on, she attended the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Pre-college program. While attending Spelman College, Riley majored in English and minored in Fine Art and had the opportunity to study Sculpture and Jewelry Design through an exchange program in Florence, Italy. She apprenticed with Master Tailor Jim McFarland, aka Gentleman Jim, and was a consistent student at a local school, Le Fashion Lab. Leveraging this experience, Riley refined her portfolio, applied, and was accepted into the Academy of Art University. She obtained her MFA in Fashion Design and Product Development.

While her career wasn’t design-focused, she worked in B2B technology in marketing, advertising, communications, and merchandising. Her understanding of the arts and design always provided the perspective needed to be successful. She had the distinct honor of being one of the first designers to be featured, and her brand ALEIMAN was showcased as part of the first Atlanta Sustainable Fashion Week 2021. Then in the Spring of 2022, Riley was invited to be part of the Atlanta Sustainable Fashion Week Spring session sustainable designer panel to offer perspective and best practices. And then, in October of 2022, Riley’s looks hit the runway for the 2nd Annual Atlanta Sustainable Fashion Week. This collection was the first of the brands to be designed, produced, and created on-site in her studio. Riley ended the year on a tremendous high when renowned costume designer Lisa Smedley-Calderon featured 4 of her looks in a BET+ Movie, The First Noelle. Like most creatives, Riley pulls inspiration from daily life and her environment. Still, her real inspiration and excitement emerge when she creates a garment at the intersection of beauty, quality, and function. Her internal and external vision promotes sustainability as she carefully curates line of high-end garments that easily integrate into the sophisticated woman’s wardrobe.