This is not the first time I've interviewed Bruce and Glen, twin pastors on a mission to spread love of Christianity in the fashion world as designers. Yes, that's right, they're pastors and designers. Proving it's possible to have a strong faith in religion and still be able to passionately live out the talents that are designed for you. It's not always so easy and not everyone is so accepting.
We talked for a few hours discussing culture, style and business stereotypes in urban communities and in pop culture. Mainstream media has a huge impact on many people's perceptions of men of color and their isn't a strong balance of positive and negative images. The images are usually of poor criminals or of individuals who don't understand their value. Rarely you'll see images of new business owners, teachers, professors, doctors or any other community serving profession that are making a difference in their neighborhoods. At the same time, pop culture have taken the urban culture and made huge profits from it. Gansta dressing is now celebrated amongst the same ones who've once turned their nose at it. The urban communities are the most influential group and many who live within them, don't know it.
Not everyone who live in those communities are on welfare or "thuggin". Not all men of color wear their pants sagging or own a pair of Jordan sneakers. Not every man of color that owns a BMW sell drugs or anything else criminal to get it. Men of color have different cultures, religions, talents, skills, wants and needs. Which is why you can't put them in a box and expect them to all dress the same or act the same.
When hip hop came along it changed the game for urban communities. It was a new freedom for some and many people who loved hip hop brought into it labels like FUBU, Sean John and Rock A Wear. Hip Hop help connect people from different cultures but somehow mainstream societies boxed those men and women. It become the expected dress code for people of color.
Which brings us back to Bruce and Glen, men on a mission to share God's love and testimony in the fashion world. Their own testimony is inspiring enough, they worked in fashion for over 10 years and found themselves being pastors right in the midst of it all. They come from the urban community of Washington D.C. so they understand the hardships but also understand the victories. They want men of color to kick down the box that was built for them and explore life.
The Interview
MQ: What's going on Fellas?
BG: Madame Q!! How's it going love? (The say in a theatrical unison)
MQ: Lot's of goodness. So excited to sit down and catch up with you. I want to share with you my latest creation, Messieurs Dossier. A Style diary for men looking for inspiration and education from other men who are leading the way in their professions and of course doing it with great style. You guys are continuously moving with your careers and it's motivating. What's new with you fellas?
BG: Awww thank you Q. You've always shown us so much love. We appreciate it and we're humbled by it. We believe in your work so of course were always here to support you as well. There is so much going on right now that are in the works and we can't give out too many details but you will love it.
MQ: I'm sure I will. You guys are always looking for new ventures to keep you out of a box of what is expected of not only men of color but being pastors as well. Why is that so important for you?
BG: In the urban communities your told you have to dress a certain way. Your told you have to look a certain way. If you step outside that, then something is wrong. "I remember reading a certain twitter feed of a very popular who live in a challenging neighborhood in the Bronx. He went on a rant about how disappointed and angry he was for the treatment and the comments he will get when he walks around in his community. So yes, Theres definitely a stigma and stereotypes about the way people should dress in urban communities. We have public figures who are sort of pushing the envelope and because their pushing the envelope now its becoming more accepted. Back in the day Glen and I were very creative with our wardrobe. In college we would wear blazers with hoodies way before Kanye did. (laughs out loud with Madame Q)
MQ: Lets call it the BK (before Kanye)
BG: Yes. (laughs) People would say "look at those twins who dress like Kanye" Glen adds. Kanye was doing it though. People look up to him because he took it to another level. There's things today I wear, that I wouldn't have never wore before but that's all apart of growing up. When you grow up and mature you start to realize that I'm man I can wear what I want to wear.
MQ: Yessss it's the evolution. The Evolution of one's style is important. We work too hard to stay the same. One's personal development helps with their evolution and vision. You can have a pair that work sight but that doesn't mean there is vision.
BG: If people understand's God's love they will have better vision, peace, evolution and many more blessings. It's hard enough to live in this world with all the things going on. We can't do it alone as humans. We want to start a movement where people can understand that God wants to be apart of our lives no matter where or who you are at the present time. We're currently working on different media outlets to help us get that message out there.
MQ: Wow look at you guys. Staying persistent and faithful. Without faith (shakes head). Without faith. I remember you telling me the story of how you guys started out as ministers for the ROC Church Manhattan. Random people would tell you guys that you were going to be preachers one day.
BG: Yes we were working at Sean John at the time. We were raised in the church but we didn't think we would ever be preachers. One day while leave the office, a man came on to the elevator and said, "Your those twin pastors. God's going to use your talents and passion for fashion to help spread his word and love". We were shocked but God had a plans for us. We heard it from a few others after that as well.
MQ: How is it now that your further in on your mission and career?
BG: It's not always easy. We are pastors yet we are still human. We get mad sometimes and have arguments with each other and others but we learn from them and keep it on moving.
MQ: How is it now that your further in on your mission and career?
BG: It's not always easy. We are pastors yet we are still human. We get mad sometimes and have arguments with each other and others but we learn from them and keep it on moving.
MQ: Where did you guys grow up again? How did that place help shape who you are?
BG: It was D.C. In high school we loved to go to an area called George Town to buy new trends and vintage finds. We had a small little business called Twin Sportz. We customized hats, headbands, t-shirts with glitter and we sold hundreds of them. We had to figure out a way to buy the things we loved and wanted, if we left to our Mom, we would be wearing Payless or whatever she could afford (we all laugh). We would save our earnings and go to Armani Exchange and Urban Outfitters just to name a few, to buy a pair of jeans or etc. We would share them and rock them differently each time.
MQ: I love it. You were entrepreneurs at a young age. I can definitely relate.
BG: Thrift shopping and creating looks was and still fun for us. The many high school students these days are doing it big with thrift shopping. They are definitely the future of fashion and style.
MQ: Yes they are. This is why it's so important to shape their minds and develop their creativity so they can flourish in creative fields. One day someone would say to them "Hey you dress like those twins, Bruce and Glen!". You see how it works! (we all laugh)
BG: Yes in deed. It's all about quality and not quantity. Dollar amounts doesn't create style, it just allows you to buy more. Style is everything. It's about the story you want people to read.
MQ: Where do you love to shop now?
BG: Zara is one of our favorite places to shop. There right on target with whats in and also what's classic. We can always find a great piece from them.
MQ: Agreed!!!!!!
BG: We still love to mix high and low pieces together. It gives your wardrobe variety and much more personality
MQ: Where do you love to shop now?
BG: Zara is one of our favorite places to shop. There right on target with whats in and also what's classic. We can always find a great piece from them.
MQ: Agreed!!!!!!
BG: We still love to mix high and low pieces together. It gives your wardrobe variety and much more personality
What's new with BruceGlen?
Now
Relaunch of their popular slapstick leather cuff for Spring sold in A. Turen NY Boutique
Soon
The dynamic duo have a collaboration with Nina shoes and are working on their first women's ready to wear collection for SS15.
visit BruceGlen
follow @bruceglen
written by Madame Q (The story is written out of love. These are her thoughts and experiences)
