Meet Kendra “Dro” Tate | Owner & Stylist at Vintagely Velma

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kendra “Dro” Tate and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kendra “Dro”, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued a career in the creative arts field, fashion and styling to be specific here, because this has been apart of my life, my journey and my destiny since I was a child. I’ve adored vintage since I was a young girl being introduced to old cinema by my mother as well as a flare for fashion, and I found a love for history from my father. Bring that together and you have the vintage rockin’ fashionista you see today, Outside of Vintagely Velma, I am a multi-genre visual artist, a renaissance woman if you will, so everything I create and continue to merges together naturally and cohesively.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m most proud of this journey. I’m originally from the west side of Chicago and my journey into Miami has been breathtaking, supernatural, almost like a story. Even this very interview is apart of it. I’m now super excited about the future and how my business will continue to grow and reach people, how I will continue to walk in my destiny with fashion.

I got here by simply selling vintage pieces from different eras of the past. I’ve always been about the fashion life, vintage fashion especially. I always loved dressing up from different eras. For example at my prom, I wore a 1930’s Hollywood glam look, I mean the finger wave hair style down to my other grandmother’s fur stole from the 1970’s. It goes back to my appreciation for vintage films, music, and history. Someone kept telling me I should sell vintage since 90% of my wardrobe is vintage and because of how I style clothes so well. I did my research and started selling. Sometimes all you have to do is just start and learn as you go. I have also incorporated it into fashion styling. I have a background in fashion design as well as modeling, so that came natural being on stage in fashion shows to backstage coordinating looks or styling shoots.

What makes me stand out from other stylists is that I am primarily styling clients in vintage pieces. Vintage has proven to be better quality due to how long the pieces last to how it helps the environment in this era of fast fashion.

This journey has had its ups and downs, I learned a lot along the way and I continue to. That’s the best way to overcome challenges. You have to learn from mistakes, be humble about it, use it as a moment to grow and boss up. For example I learned how to be meticulous when measuring garments and identifying flaws, I mean, I’m selling pieces from as far back as the 1950’s as of now. Some of these items, as beautiful as they are, can have flaws that one may not see upon first glance, the sizing is different now verses back then. You have to have a sharp eye for the details so customers will be satisfied with what they’re purchasing.

What I want the world to know about my brand and my story is that I’m walking in my destiny and everything you see me do or create is a gift from God. I’m here to bring a unique and bold style to the 305.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love planning so I’m here for this question! First off, as someone from Chicago, I would like to see more people who come to Miami embrace and emerge themselves into the culture and history of the city. From the Black history of Black Americans and Bahamians who were integral to the foundation to grabbing a Cuban sandwich in Little Havana . I adore Miami Beach, I know everyone is flocking to Brickell right now, and I get it, Miami has the reputation for being a party city, but there is so much more to the city that should be promoted, especially in order for local shops and small businesses to be supported and appreciated as well.

I’m a foodie (and a vegan) so I’ll start with restaurants, a mix of local and upscale ones. Chef Creole, Planta, Red Rooster, Moshi Moshi, Vegan Cuban Cuisine, Dukanoo, House of Mac, LC’s Roti Shop, Plantisserie, IStronga, La Mar, Kiki on the River, just walking around Wynwood, you’re bound to find good food.

For places to go, we’re absolutely going to the beach to start. I don’t care if it’s South Beach, Mid Beach, North Beach. You can’t come to Miami without relaxing at the beach, add in some water sports and a yacht ride. Next I would hit up museums like the Perez Art Museum, The Little Haiti Cultural Center, History Miami Museum. As much as people down talk Overtown, there is so much amazing history there so I would absolutely take someone to the D A Dorsey House and Historic Lyric Theater. Wynwood and Little Havana are great spots for seeing murals and photo ops. Bayside for a ferris wheel ride. I would end it with shopping at a few small vintage shops, Bal Harbour, Brickell City Center, and in the Design District.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First I want to say thank you to God and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for these kinds of blessings and opportunities like being on this platform to share my story. Secondly, a special shout-out to my grandmother Velma J. Randall, who Vintagely Velma is named after. My grandmother was originally from Georgia, settled in Chicago and was an entrepreneur who owned several businesses beginning in the 1940’s and 1950’s. She is who I inherited my entrepreneurial spirit from and was also very stylish might I add! She’s the inspiration behind VV from the vintage clothing down to the business model.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vintagelyvelma?igsh=d3pyZzlyNGF1M3d0

Other: https://pin.it/5H2lhiCeA

Image Credits
Photo of Dro’s grandmother Velma J. Randall, the inspiration behind Vintagely Velma