Interview with Jean-Philippe Gibson, CEO of the Philippe Collection LLC
Tell us a bit about Philippe Collection LLC.
The Philippe Collection LLC is a fashion company founded by Jean-Philippe Gibson in 2014 and relaunched in 2019.
What gave you the idea for your business and how did it start?
I was fresh out of the military (honorable discharge) and I attended the 2013 Dream Big Symposium hosted by Egami Consulting and its founder, Teneshia Jackson Warner, in Atlanta, Georgia. I met a fashion designer name Nat Taylor at this particular professional networking event (Dream Big Symposium). I let Natt Taylor read some of my poetry and she told me I should put some poetry on shirts. And I had no idea Natt Taylor was a famous fashion designer when I was speaker with her that day. I birthed the Philippe Collection in 2014 thanks to that advice that I received from Natt Taylor that day. I ventured off to get a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from Georgia State University, and then attended seminary at Candler School of Theology at Emory University pursuing a Master’s in Divinity. The Philippe Collection was on hiatus as I pursued those endeavors. Then I wound up meeting Reunekiea Williams and working alongside her at Fortune Key Financials doing real estate and finance related work. Reunekiea always encourages me to pursue my passions outside of real estate and finance (chiefly Christian Ministry, Fashion Design, and marketing). Reunekiea’s encouragement and encouragement from my friend Kamaya Da Plug Chapman is what led me to relaunch the Philippe Collection in 2019. We have a few digital Billboards in the Atlanta metro area marketing the Philippe Collection. I’m extremely excited about sowing seeds of success in the Philippe Collection endeavor.
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
Getting to create. I’ve always enjoyed creating in the form of art, writing, and now creating fashion. I remember attending College of Kids at Mercer University as a kid as a part of their Budding Author Program, subsequently making me a professional published author by the age of 8 because of the poetry I wrote as a part of that program. Being able to continue the lifelong journey and passion of creating with the Philippe Collection is definitely another creativity blessing.
What are your keys to making yourself productive?
Practicing holistic wellness to the best of my abilities. So I constantly seek spiritual, physical, intellectual, and emotional fitness.
Tell us one long-term goal in your career.
To design and create shoes and shirts that people all over the world wear. To become a signature brand that is around pass my natural lifespan two hundred years from now.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned through the course of your career?
Relationships are very important. They can get you in doors that sometimes money can’t even buy you into, so nurture relationships in all their forms and capacities.
What advice would you give to others aspiring to succeed in your field?
Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself with time and money. And be bold. Attend fashion trade shows and definitely share your fashion designs with every one you encounter.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
I love writing. I’m a journalist and poet. I also like going for walks on trails and at parks. I enjoy reading as well.
Name a few influential books you’ve read and/or websites you keep up with that you’d recommend to readers.
Influential Books:
The Christian Bible
Outwitting the Devil: The Secret to Freedom and Success
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spyby Eric Metaxas
The Miracle of St. Anthony by Adrian Wojnarowski
Frequently Visited Websites:
My Website(s) | Social Media
