Nigerian creative director, designer and artist Ealey thrives on inspirational images. In her home in Queens, which is decorated with floor-to-ceiling windows featuring views of New York City and mood boards that run along the walls, she literally surrounds herself with it. It’s how he stays true to his roots and how he connects with the creative life forces around him. The result was Ealey’s clothing company Tier, which earned seven figures last year and was visible to people across the country.
Tier makes high quality streetwear for men, women and children. That includes everything from monochromatic sets to outerwear to custom baseball caps. Regardless of the item, however, Ealey and his co-founders, Esaie Jean Simon and Victor James, create every Tier piece with two important things in mind: authenticity and durability. And the label’s slogan, “Art Never Dies,” reflects that. It’s a sensibility that Ealey says stems from his three days as a student company founder attending Long Island University in Brooklyn in 2014.
“When we think of people like Tupac or Michael Jackson or Van Gogh, their work meant so much while they were here even after they left, it still means that,” Ealey said. “I think that’s a person’s true test—what impact can you have on people in your line of work that are both a representation of and a memory of what you did here?”
It is the ideology that not only drives the brand, but also helps shape Ealey’s desire to express himself through fashion. As a kid who went to school all over town, Ealey remembers having to wear a stifling uniform. It was only on Fridays when students were allowed to wear casual clothes that he was able to break away from the monotony and show a bit of personality. During that time, he remembers being influenced by the spirit of anime. He finds inspiration in the color schemes and patterns and how the characters are presented so boldly. Ealey remembers looking forward to Friday and creating opportunities to shine just through his outfit.
“There was a big influence from the fashion aspect like, Oh these colors would be perfect,” she recalls. “I’ll look and see the way they dress and be like, Yo, their clothes are fire.”
As creative director, Ealey focuses on conceptualization and planning. He asks a lot of questions and works to ensure there is purpose and purpose in every product that he and his co-founders stamp their name on.
In line with their “Art Never Dies” motto, the trio also work to ensure that other artists have an unobstructed path to their work as well. Community involvement and breaking down barriers for aspiring artists are other values Ealey holds dear.
“We’re really trying to take a model and make it a separate entity for up-and-coming artists in music, culinary arts, photography, in any field that includes art,” he said. “Our goal is to provide the necessary information and resources to a new group of entrepreneurs and content creators that we don’t have.”
To that end, the time Ealey spent as an elementary school art teacher still inspires him. He remembered teaching and wished he had the same guidance and support from his elders.
“You think about art, music and dance, and it’s always like, If you don’t finish your test in math, you can’t go to art,” he said. “But these things are not secondary. They are taught that only one of the many can succeed in this field, so it is ingrained that they should not become artists. But there are people who only see pictures in their heads, and art is just as important as math and science.”
During his time as a teacher, Ealey worked to ensure his students felt validated. Developing their talents and making sure they feel cared for is her mission.
“I’ve always said kids are the smartest people on Earth,” he said. “And they helped me find my inner child. I had very talented students and didn’t even know they were creating something great.”
He remembered his duty as a teacher which served as the reset and boost he needed to raise his Tier to the next level. Now, it is that same passion and renewed enthusiasm that helps him propel the brand forward. As an independent company, Ealey remains proud that Tier recruits directly from its community and it is a stable incubator for young artists to find their way.
“This is purposeful work,” he said. “Yes, we have fire suits, and they are quality and good, but I wanted to be an example to show people that you can really do anything you put your mind to.’
Ealey projected that Tier would earn more than a million dollars next year, which was a goal he accomplished several years ago. He is a firm believer that if you actually do the job, there’s no way to go but up.
“I grew up on projects my whole life,” he recalls. “We have EBT cards, and there are a lot of people from where I’m from who can’t even understand this. But it’s real. I literally made something out of nothing.”
With his unwavering direction on breaking barriers and prioritizing the arts while giving back, Ealey doesn’t plan on slowing down any time soon.
“From the moment I wake up until I go to sleep, I focus on Tier,” he explained. “If I think about it, it is obtainable. If I put my time into it, it’s obtainable. We’re showing people that we can navigate any space, no matter what.”
When asked about the mood board and what we can expect from the next Tier collection, Ealey smiled. The excited creative director had little to say, but he wanted the world to know that this was going to be a homecoming.
And he will stop there.
