In kicking off my interview series of women entrepreneurs in the New Year, I picked Angel Brinks because she truly is inspiring in her professional and personal life. She is a strong, talented, fashion designer, red carpet fashion corespondent and entrepreneur. She does this all while being an amazing mom, which pushes her to always do more for her family. I will definitely always be channeling her perseverance, passion and drive in my own life.

She was a pleasure, inspiration and joy to interview, get to know and find out some great tips on the great trend of street denim.

Here is that interview:

1.When did you know you wanted to become an entrepreneur ?

After having jobs, working for other people, I knew it was only temporary. I knew I had a talent that needed to be shared with the world.  I knew it would take money and education. So I decided to major in business and minor in fashion. Ever since I was a young girl, I would watch my grandmother sew and I took a liking to it. I would start to put patches on my clothing, shred my jeans, and make something out of whatever I had. I would pretend I had my own clothing store. Growing up in the performing arts, I took a seriously liking to performance gear. My love for it all just grew. All was left to it was to master the business side of it as well as the fundamentals of making clothing.

2. What gets you to keep going in your life and business ?

I have a lot of drive and ambition. I was raised in a home where I saw my whole family get up and go to work every day. My grandfather lived till he was 80, and he went to work until his dying day. I don’t know anything different. I know I have a family to raise, and I want my children to be raised knowing they have to have drive and ambition like me. I want my children to have everything they need. I do it all for them, their education, and future.

3. Who in your life continues to inspire you ?

My children are my biggest inspiration of course. Outside of that, I would have to say women. I want to solve problems, I majored in business. Supply and demand. There is a big demand in certain things us women find no supply of. Women’s needs have to be met! I want to make it easier for women to find what they’re looking for in me, my store. I want them to feel secure, happy, confident, sexy. I am inspired by women like Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Michelle Obama, who all have been given this platform to show the world that as a woman, you can be smart, successful, hard working, and a great mother at the same time. All while with a smile on their face. I know as women we all go through so much, and regardless of that, these women hold their head high and do it with a smile. This shows strength and that’s very admirable to me. This all inspired me every day to work hard, and make it through all trial and tribulations.

4. What do you want your legacy to be ?

I definitely want to be a successful fashion designer, to leave a remarkable stamp in the industry, to have brought something different. A lot of designers don’t offer plus size in materials that I use. They don’t want to offer custom sizing, it’s too much work. They make things in bulk or with factory machines. I employ US workers, which obviously has costs at an all time high. But that’s ok. Not too many designers offer anything close to what we do, one on one designing for all sizes. In business you have to bring something different to the game to succeed and go further.

“Chic streetwear denim a super hot trend for for winter 2016/spring 2017! The look is extremely diverse and super practical. Here are a few of my denim staple must haves to have you looking your absolute best this season:

– Denim chokers – Chokers are a huge trend on their own right now and I can’t get enough of the denim ones.  They are so neutral, match with everything and can totally dress your outfit up or down.I love them so much I just launched my own choker line with a ton of denim selections including looks featuring rhinestones, patchwork and fraying.  Check them out here.

– Distressed and destroyed denim – This is a great way to make a casual look super edgy.

– Patchwork – Patchwork denim will turn heads as a pair of highwaisted jeans or even some knee-high boots (Nicki Minaj recently rocked a pair of my brand new patchwork boots) but because the look has so much going on, make sure you pair it with something basic and solid such as a white tee or solid color dress.

-Denim bags – I have a huge handbag collection and am notorious for always switching them out with my different outfits.Earlier this year I made myself an every day denim bag that I used a few days out the week since it went with practically everything and I was constantly getting stopped everywhere I went about the bag so I decided to start offering them on my site AngelBrinks.com and now I can barely keep them in stock. Bonus points if your denim bag has fringe which I can’t get enough of!

Be sure to follow Angel on Instagram for amazing inspiration in fashion, but in life: @angelbrinks and don’t forget to let us know how you style your street denim this season by using #KLMFashionStyle #AngelBrinks.

Thank you and Happy New Year!