Alani Taylor is more than a label; it’s a movement. And behind that movement stands its visionary architect, Timeekah Murphy, the designer and creative force redefining the rules of luxury streetwear. From Beyoncé’s stage to Atlanta’s runway, Murphy has transformed pain into power, discipline into design, and storytelling into style. At this year’s Atlanta Fashion Week, her latest Alani Taylor collection didn’t just walk the runway; it commanded it, ushering in a new era of fashion that is bold, intentional, and unapologetically authentic. With the heart of a soldier and the soul of an artist, Timeekah is proving that fashion isn’t just what you wear, it’s what you stand for.
FEMI (Mo Clark): What was the creative vision behind bringing Alani Taylor to ATL Fashion Week, and how did you use this moment to redefine what luxury streetwear looks and feels like for this generation?
Timeekah Murphy: Bringing Alani Taylor to Atlanta Fashion Week wasn’t just about showcasing clothes; it was about making a statement. It was about taking my power back. For a long time, I’ve always given myself to others, saying yes to everyone even when I wanted to say no. My collection represented a bank heist, which symbolized taking back what was mine. I didn’t want to go too deep into my personal life, so I decided to express myself on the runway while still maintaining my designer vision. My goal was to redefine what luxury streetwear means in today’s culture. I wanted to show that luxury isn’t just about labels or price tags; it’s about presence, intention, and the way you carry power through what you wear.
With this collection, I fused elegance with rebellion, structure with chaos, because that’s the duality of our generation. We’re polished, but we’re not afraid to disrupt. I wanted people to feel that energy, that luxury can come from the streets, from our stories, from people who built something from nothing and still made it look fly.
For me, Atlanta is the perfect stage for that message. This city represents culture, creativity, and resilience—everything Alani Taylor stands for. Fashion Week was my way of reminding people that we don’t follow the rules of fashion; we rewrite them.
FEMI: Alani Taylor has always been rooted in empowerment and individuality. How do you intentionally weave messages of freedom, gender fluidity, and rebellion into your pieces without compromising elegance or craftsmanship?
TM: Every piece is a conversation between strength and softness, between who the world tells you to be and who you actually are.
When I create, I’m thinking about breaking those old rules that say fashion has to fit into gender boxes or play it safe. My designs are built for the ones who live loud, who don’t talk a lot but let their clothes talk for them, who don’t apologize for taking up space. That’s where the rebellion comes in—not through chaos, but through control.
At the same time, I never compromise the craft. I’m meticulous about tailoring, detail, and construction because confidence comes from knowing your piece was made with intention. I’m also a military veteran, so structure is in me. My goal is for anyone—man, woman, or however they identify—to put on an Alani Taylor piece and feel unstoppable. Clothes change your behavior. I want people to be, feel, and look badass, but in a good way.
FEMI: Competing on HBO’s The Hype and working with industry giants like Tyler Perry and VH1 have positioned you at the intersection of art and entertainment. How have those experiences shaped the businesswoman and creative force you’ve become today?
TM: Those experiences built my armor. They taught me how to move through this industry with grace and grit, to know my value, protect my vision, and still create from a place of authenticity.
FEMI: What does it mean to carry that level of cultural responsibility and representation in a city that’s become a mecca for Black creativity? And how do you use your platform to open doors for the next generation of designers?
TM: Being named a Black Future Maker wasn’t just an award to me; it was a reminder of responsibility. It means everything I do has to speak for something bigger than myself. I carry the weight of the ones who didn’t get the chance, the ones who are still trying to figure it out, and the ones watching me to see if it’s possible.
Atlanta is the perfect place for that energy because this city is the blueprint for Black excellence and innovation. It’s where culture, business, and art collide, and I’m intentional about making sure fashion holds its rightful place in that conversation.
I use my platform to pull people up—whether it’s through mentorship, teaching young designers how to build brands from scratch, or showing transparency in my own journey. I want them to see that you can be from the trenches, self-taught, and still make luxury look effortless. To me, being a Black Future Maker means opening doors, but also making sure those doors never close again.
FEMI: As fall turns to winter, what fashion trends or styling philosophies should we be paying attention to, and how can emerging designers find their voice in an industry that often resists change?
TM: Style is energy, and it’s not about what’s trending; it’s about what you feel. I don’t chase seasons; I create moments. As we move into fall and winter, it’s less about the clothes and more about the story they tell. Think layers with intention, textures that speak, silhouettes that demand attention, and colors that carry emotion.
For me, this season is about balance: rugged meets refined, street meets sophistication. That’s the new luxury. You can throw on a structured coat over a hoodie and still give elegance—it’s all about how you wear your confidence.
For emerging designers, my biggest advice is this: stop trying to fit in. The industry will always resist what it doesn’t understand until it can’t ignore it anymore. Your voice is your weapon. Protect it, polish it, and make them adjust to you. Because when your style is spiritual, it never goes out of season.
Through Alani Taylor, Timeekah Murphy isn’t merely designing clothes; she’s designing legacy. Her collections remind us that true luxury is not defined by labels but by the courage to create without permission. Every stitch carries strength, every silhouette tells a story, and every runway moment is an act of reclamation. As she mentors the next generation, challenges industry norms, and expands her global imprint, one thing remains certain: Timeekah Murphy isn’t following fashion’s formula; she’s rewriting it in her own fearless handwriting.
Photography Credit: Michele Sheetz
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