It’s Not Just Clothes... It’s a Lifestyle ... It’s a Movement
- By Laquisha Cook
- Published 11/11/2009
- Economics
- Unrated
HOUSTON- What we adorn our bodies with sends a powerful message. Fashion expresses attitudes, beliefs and interests. It can even symbolize where we come from and where we are going in our lives. And for Damien McKelton, 36, his clothing line, “From the bottom to the Top” or “BT3” is literally based on a true story.
McKelton was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and raised in Lake Charles. As a result of his parents’ divorce when he was only two, he grew up in a single parent household.
Undeterred by statistics lamented young men raised only by their mothers, he sought higher education at Grambling State. After completing five semesters and majoring in Therapeutic Recreation, he withdrew. He says he was not focused and was withdrawn mentally long before he made the decision to leave.
“I realized now, I was depressed,” he said. To the his own detriment, he continued to make poor decisions. For years McKelton was a lost soul, like a ship without a sail.
“I was at the bottom,” he said. Eventually, he went to live with his aunt who was married to a pastor and began to attend church. He gave his life to God and has been saved for 12 years as a result. What the devil meant for bad, God turned it into something good.
McKelton attained his CDL and is currently working in the trucking industry while he works on his clothing line.
“Fashion was always a part of me,” he said. God gave McKelton the push he needed and he could also convey his testimony through his fashion line. That is how he developed the slogan, “Based on a True Story.”
“It is not only my story, but your story. It also separates fact from fiction. It is a true story,” he commented.
BT3 caters primarily to men ages 15 to 40. It offers casual wear that includes: sweat suits, button down shirts and jeans. McKelton is also in the process of creating a line specifically for women. His goal for his company is to completely manufacture his products with samples and eventually build a lasting relationship with department stores like Macy’s and Dillard’s.
One highlight for McKelton was the 2006 All-Star Weekend in Houston. He was promoting his line by giving out t-shirts. One guy extended the shirt over his head and said, “This is the story of my life.” That meant a lot to him. In spite of meeting celebrities, this moment was most conspicuous. He has been fortunate to appear in three movies that include: “Rim Shop”, “All American Dream” with the popular renowned Houston rapper Mike Jones, and “84’s on Vows”.
He has been married for three years and has two children.
McKelton states just because you are at the bottom, you don’t have to stay there. “Bottom to the Top is not just clothes, it is a life style. It is a movement.”
For more information, call (832)785-0615 or email McKelton at dmckelton@yahoo.com.
Damien McKelton poses with popular Gospel group Mary Mary, holding t-shirts he created for his fashion line
“Bottom to The Top”.
McKelton was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and raised in Lake Charles. As a result of his parents’ divorce when he was only two, he grew up in a single parent household.
Undeterred by statistics lamented young men raised only by their mothers, he sought higher education at Grambling State. After completing five semesters and majoring in Therapeutic Recreation, he withdrew. He says he was not focused and was withdrawn mentally long before he made the decision to leave.
“I realized now, I was depressed,” he said. To the his own detriment, he continued to make poor decisions. For years McKelton was a lost soul, like a ship without a sail.
“I was at the bottom,” he said. Eventually, he went to live with his aunt who was married to a pastor and began to attend church. He gave his life to God and has been saved for 12 years as a result. What the devil meant for bad, God turned it into something good.
McKelton attained his CDL and is currently working in the trucking industry while he works on his clothing line.
“Fashion was always a part of me,” he said. God gave McKelton the push he needed and he could also convey his testimony through his fashion line. That is how he developed the slogan, “Based on a True Story.”
“It is not only my story, but your story. It also separates fact from fiction. It is a true story,” he commented.
BT3 caters primarily to men ages 15 to 40. It offers casual wear that includes: sweat suits, button down shirts and jeans. McKelton is also in the process of creating a line specifically for women. His goal for his company is to completely manufacture his products with samples and eventually build a lasting relationship with department stores like Macy’s and Dillard’s.
One highlight for McKelton was the 2006 All-Star Weekend in Houston. He was promoting his line by giving out t-shirts. One guy extended the shirt over his head and said, “This is the story of my life.” That meant a lot to him. In spite of meeting celebrities, this moment was most conspicuous. He has been fortunate to appear in three movies that include: “Rim Shop”, “All American Dream” with the popular renowned Houston rapper Mike Jones, and “84’s on Vows”.
He has been married for three years and has two children.
McKelton states just because you are at the bottom, you don’t have to stay there. “Bottom to the Top is not just clothes, it is a life style. It is a movement.”
For more information, call (832)785-0615 or email McKelton at dmckelton@yahoo.com.
Damien McKelton poses with popular Gospel group Mary Mary, holding t-shirts he created for his fashion line
“Bottom to The Top”.