An Inaword Fab Exclusive! Kwame Jackson: The Man Behind the Brand

Apprentice alum. Harvard MBA. Serial entrepreneur. Brand manager. Tastemaker. Mover and shaker. Think you know all there is to know about Kwame Jackson? You have no idea. Kwame Jackson is more than just his trademark white smile and impressive resume. He's a Southern-bred, style-conscious, supreme risk taker who injects inspirational quotes into everyday conversation as effortlessly as some might say, "nah mean?" But above all, he's a survivor. Growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina, Kwame lived a self-described "Cosby-esque" existence surrounded by proud, successful black people. Mom was a CPA with her own firm, while his step dad practiced general surgery. Early on, his entrepreneurial spirit was honed selling candy on the school bus and mowing lawns to make the money for his first Nintendo. Then, everything changed when at the age of 15, Kwame's mother passed away at the young age of 41. For Kwame, it was the ultimate lesson in persistence and resilience. "Once you get over something like that, everything else is gravy. I had this massive devastating experience, so not very much is truly disappointing or devastating to me." Refusing to crumble under the weight of his loss, Kwame continued to strive for academic excellence, ultimately gaining entry into UNC Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School, one of the nation's top undergraduate programs for Business. It was in college that Kwame first began to express a strong interest in personal style. Becoming a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and participating in a number of prestigious internships with brand management icon Procter & Gamble helped him to develop his signature professional style and marketing chops. It was this fashion sensibility, in conjunction with his superior performance and cool confidence, that kept tongues wagging during his tenure on the first season of The Apprentice, which you may recall as one of the most successful shows in television history. Kwame made it all the way to the finale, where he went head-to-head with eventual winner, Bill Rancic, in a showdown watched by 28 million people. "I'm very proud of that. I'm glad that I was able to be a part of something that redefined television. It was a great experience; it helped me to believe in myself and opened a lot of doors. I view it as a floor, not a ceiling. I knew I didn’t want to become a reality star, my goal was to brand myself as an entrepreneur." His latest foray into entrepreneurship is Krimson by Kwame, an executive neckwear line that he launched with partner Corwyn Thomas in 2004. Why the emphasis on ties? "[Neckwear] is probably the last bastion of personal style and influence that a man can express in the workplace. You can go bright, solid, pattern... It's an expression of your personality and a mindset for what you want to accomplish that day. 'This is the day I’m getting it done, getting promoted, proposing to my girlfriend, closing on a mortgage.' When it’s important, it’s Krimson!, that’s our trademark and the brand’s essence." After a successful start in a few small test markets, Krimson has grown exponentially in the retail market. Despite the current economy,Macy's just increased Krimson's distribution from New York, Chicago, and DC, its three largest markets, to San Francisco, Houston, Miami, San Jose and Atlanta. "The goal is to build it into a global luxury lifestyle brand to rival Ralph Lauren. Phase I consists of owning the men’s accessories space where we will add pocket squares, fragrance and cuff links. I have a lot of requests from women for scarves, bathing suits in our distinctive paisley patterns, and even female neckwear. You never know where the brand will take you." Kwame recently embarked on a "50 City Style Tour" for Krimson to take the brand directly to consumers in their local markets, a nationwide span of VIP trunk shows and fashion cocktails attended by executives, celebrities and industry professionals and sponsored by iconic brands like Remy Martin. Although high profile people and events are par for the course in Kwame's world, he recalls the BET Ball celebrating President Obama's inauguration with awe. "You had Colin Powell in one corner of the room dancing with his people and Jay-Z in the other corner doing the same thing." Despite the big fish in attendance, Kwame insists the highlight of the evening was meeting Frederick Douglass IV, the great great grandson of the famed abolitionist, orator and author. It is very apparent that as much mainstream success that Kwame has enjoyed, he remains connected to his African American roots. "My name is Kwame Toure Jackson, not Blake Smith. I don’t really have a choice. My parents put that in my head early on. So I know who I am and I’m confident in who I am." Even still, Kwame refuses to box Krimson in as an "urban" brand. "I don’t want it to be an urban brand in any way shape or form. I want it to be a global brand. It's about a global mindset." This global mindset and feeling of inclusivity is a major theme for Krimson, which despite its high quality comes with a value price point. In Kwame's view, the target customer is "generally the aspiring professional, age 25 to 40, who is well-traveled and well-schooled. They've been a few places and done a few things, and they want their dress to speak to that." And Kwame knows a little something about being an aspiring professional. The consummate entrepreneur, Kwame believes success comes to those who are unafraid to step outside of their comfort zone and take big risks. "It doesn't mean you'll be successful, it doesn't mean you'll be a failure, but it does mean you'll have a sense of fulfillment. You can say, 'I gave my life my best.'” Currently a Harlem resident, Kwame is dating a "very nice young lady" that understands his hustle and supports his grind. "Oprah said, 'Everybody wants to ride in the limo with you, but very few people want to ride in the subway.' I'm building, so if you’re not willing to be a part of the journey, then 'Nice to meet you.' I have good days and I have empty pocket days. I’m definitely not about stability and comfort at this point in my life, I’ll pass on the picket fence and suburban house for now. I’m the guy willing to put it all on the table and give it my best shot." Above all, Kwame is a gentleman. When asked about Omarosa, who famously sabotaged his efforts during the finale of The Apprentice, his answer is simple. "God bless her." To shop Krimson by Kwame, visit http://www.krimsonbykwame.com/. -Elle Check out previous Inaword Fab Exclusives: A Conversation with Plus Size Diva, Joanne Borgella Up Close and Personal with Dominican supermodel, Miguel Perdomo Style Profile: Bim Star of Aremu Premier Couture