The Zenith Experience Presents Its First Pop-Up in Inglewood, CA
"We're gathered together here with plenty of good food and great quality people from the community," said Alani Taylor creator, Timeekah Murphy. She had taken the time to greet everyone who came to 'The Zenith Experience' pop-up event.
Q26 was fortunate enough to receive an invite and be a part of "The Zenith Experience," Alani Taylor's first Pop-Up shop, on July 31, 2020. The event was hosted at Vacancy clothing store in Inglewood, California. It coincided with the official release date of Beyonce's "Black is King" film, where she wore custom-made Alani Taylor pieces. Local black-owned businesses, such as Slum City Kitchen from Atlanta, GA, and Efren Cordoba Photography, sponsored the event, taking all precautions in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. Multiple sanitation stations, outdoor space, and the requirement that the limited number of attendees wear a mask were put in place to keep people safe.
"As excited as we are for this event, we want to continue to promote Black excellence within our community," said Murphy about the event. "A lot of people look at my brand and say, you just started in 2016, and you're already dressing Beyonce, Cardi, and Tyra. No, I started this shit ten years ago, and I'm just now getting my shot."
"I had to go through the trials and errors, and me being from the Bronx, my word is my bond. When I see dope people, I do not believe that you have to serve ten years in the game before it's your time. My time is now, your time is now, and that is what it's about. In this room are creatives--let's create together. Let's create a platform for each other. There are no cracks in the buckets here. Everybody can eat. There's enough bread out here for every single person."
The focus of "The Zenith Experience" rested on connecting creatives, uplifting talented and often marginalized voices, and providing a platform for other artists and designers to share those talents with the world. The audience hung out in the very stylish but laid-back pop-up space surrounded by dope Alani Taylor pieces and were able to hear the stories from various amazing Black designers, artists, and creators. Simply put--Timeekah Murphy's creative genius had gotten the attention of Beyonce, and she kept her promise never to forget where she came from originally.
"I met Murph in January of this year. I'm like I have seen your brand, your shit is dope," Terrell the CEO of Vacancy clothing store said. "I ran into her in January and told her that I had a store opening up, and I need your shit in my store, and she said, say no more. COVID slowed us down, but I was still pushing forward. I asked, 'are you ready?' And she said, 'for sure.' She believed in a vision that I was doing. I believed in everything that she was doing. Obviously, she's super talented and super dope. And we're here now."
Pieces from the Alani Taylor were modeled at the intimate event while images of Beyonce wearing Alani Taylor pieces from "Black Is King" played on the television screen in the background. Artists and creatives of color networked in open space exchanging cards and numbers to collaborate on even more incredible future projects. When anyone walked into the event space, they felt welcomed, supported, and encouraged to follow their dreams as Timeekah Murphy did with Alani Taylor.
"I believe that if you have a talent that it should be already noticed from day one. I created a company, The Zenith Experience, that creates the platform for all creatives, to be able to just show themselves and show their talents. I believe that the grave is the most successful and expensive place in the world because everybody goes to the grave with their talents. I want to stop people from doing that and help them share those talents with the world."
"The Zenith Experience" was held from 6 P.M. to 9 P.M. at 'Vacancy' clothing store, located at 1323 N. La Brea Avenue, in Inglewood, California. You can learn more about Alani Taylor by Timeekah Murphy by visiting the website, alanitaylor.com.