Martell Iconic Blueprints Honors Detroit’s Emerging Icon…
Tuesday night I had the opportunity to attend an event hosted by entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and philanthropist Robert Hill Sr and Martell. Honoring one of Detroit’s emerging Icons Tommey Walker, founder, and creator of the brand Detroit VS Everybody. A homegrown label, that embodies the pride and unapologetic spirit of Detroit.
Rob Hill Sr and Tommey Walker
A little about Martell Iconic Blueprints: Martell has sought to inspire innovators and those who have sought to elevate themselves and the world around them. The Martell Iconic Blueprints program is a way to honor those in the community who embody the vision of the Martell brand, defying and exceeding expectations and inspiring others to do the same.
“Detroit VS Everybody is the sum of all my work” ~Tommy Walker
I got a chance to chat one on one with the Detroit designer and Rob Hill Sr, here’s what they had to say:
FSD: Can you tell me a little about yourself?
TW: My name is Tommey Walker, creator of the Detroit VS Everybody brand. It’s a lifestyle brand, it’s from Detroit originally, from Detroit to everybody. It pretty much speaks from the soul of the city.
FSD: Did you think it would take off this big?
TW: Yea I did, I thought that we had something, but with the speed that it took off I didn’t think that, but I thought it would do something.
FSD: How did you feel when you saw the first celebrity wearing your shirt?
TW: It felt good! It’s different when you see it on hand, it’s different when you see it on a computer screen when you get it as that tangible item, that’s what’s big.
RHS: People ask me that question, like how did you feel when so and so read your book, to be honest, I felt the best when I held it for the first time.
FSD: How do feel about the imitation shirts out there?
TW: Well imitation is the greatest form of flattery, but I also feel a little bit of frustration behind it, mainly because that’s not how I envisioned the brand to be portrayed. But it makes me feel good to know that I inspired people enough to where they would want to make their own or go out of their way to create that shirt.
FSD: So what do you have planned next?
TW: As you see with all the knock-offs, they have pretty much paved the way for the next move which will be to open the Detroit VS Everybody brand to other cities. To see that we have success with all these knockoffs in the different markets
FSD: How did you hear about the brand?
Rob Hill: I think I heard Big Sean say it first and at the time I heard him say it I didn’t think it was a brand. I’m from Virginia, so it’s a little different but a guy Kenny Burns who I’m very close with was telling me about the brand. He told me about the movement and spirit behind it and working with Marcell he introduced me to the founder Tommy.
TW: Rob gets to go to each market and honor emerging icons in their city.
“It feels good to be thought about for the work that I’ve done” ~Tommey Walker
Rob Hill Sr honoring Tommey Walker as one of Detroit’s emerging icons.
Congratulations Tommy Walker on being honored as one of Detroit’s emerging icons!
Chart your own path. Blaze your own trail. Achieve your own greatness. Share your story. #MartellBluePrints
For more information about Martell Iconic Blue Prints or Detroit VS Everybody, please click on the links above.
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