Arshad Bryant was 12 years old when he created the first sketch for his clothing line. He was on punishment. He can’t remember what for, but he can remember the moment he created The Underworld Apparel.
“I was like, ‘Yeah, I want to start a clothing brand,’ ” Bryant said. That was four years ago. Since then, Bryant has made sales throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area and across multiple states.
Bryant said he has always been drawn to fashion. He grew up seeing his parents’ shoe collections, and his cousin, Tylynn Gault, began her own fashion brand a few years before he did. Having been surrounded by fashion for most of his life, the 16-year-old was met with enthusiastic support when he shared his plans.
He looks at his everyday life for inspiration when creating a new design. He creates pieces based on how he interprets different events in his life. “I just naturally get inspiration and want to make T-shirts with my designs,” Bryant said.
Bryant chose the name The Underworld Apparel to remind the people who wear his clothes not to judge a book by its cover. “When people hear ‘The Underworld,’ they think it’s evil or it’s bad, but it’s really not always bad,” he said. Bryant said he has learned a lot about patience as his business has grown.
When things are slow, Bryant finds himself working toward the next step for his company. “I just remember to be grateful for each new opportunity because it really is just the next step in the business,” .
