By James W. Ribbron
After years of living out of state, fashion designer and tailor Everett Tate moved back home to Detroit to share his talents and skills and become a part of the city’s rebirth.
The 28-year-old entrepreneur returned to the same neighborhood where he grew up in to bring his tailoring expertise and style sense to the city and give back by teaching young people about fashion and other steps to success.
He is the Creative Custom Designer & Stylist for 42nd St., 17301 Mack Ave., a men’s clothing store that he opened in September of 2018 in partnership with businessman Al Bartell. He also owns Tailor-Made by Everett Tate, a company offering clients individualized custom tailoring. And he does tailoring work for High Street Men’s Wear, 2362 Russell St., one of the Shops on Top in the Eastern Market.
“It is extremely important to me to be right on Mack Ave. where I grew up to help change the narrative of what our young men see in their neighborhood,” Tate said. “I want to show them that they can thrive in their own city.”
His clientele ranges from everyday people to professional athletes and politicians. He said it’s important to show all of them what good service looks like.
“I strongly believe in customer service excellence and a great shopping experience,” Tate added. “That’s what separates you from the rest anyway. In 2020 people need a reason to come to a brick and mortar store, so why not provide the best experience possible?”…
Tate left Detroit in 2009 to pursue a degree in business marketing, with a minor in fashion merchandising from Morgan State University in Baltimore. He apprenticed under a master tailor to perfect his talent. He worked in the fashion design and tailoring industry in other big cities, including D.C. and L.A., before returning to Detroit in the summer of 2018.
“I moved back to Morningside because it’s the community I grew up in and I want to invest in the resurgence of my neighborhood, my city, and help Detroit…,” said Tate who lives and works in his community.
“One of the major reasons I offer custom clothing, personal styling, is so local people will know and understand quality apparel and presentation. It’s not always about the dollar, it’s understanding my motto that: Every piece of your wardrobe should fit, not just the suits!”
Entrepreneurship and community service go hand-in-hand for Everett.
He provides #TailorMadeTips, a nonprofit program he started in 2014, in which he gives fashion advice to youth and young adults in the Detroit area on such subjects as how to conduct winning interviews, shop on a high student budget and, of course, dress for success.
He’s also a facilitator-helping connect mentors and mentees—through the Bing Youth Institute which works 7th thru 12th grade boys in Detroit schools.
His father, Odell Tate, a community advocate in Morningside said his son’s business adds to the vibrancy and vitality of the community bounded by Alter Rd., Outer Drive, Mack and the I-94 Freeway.
Everett Tate says he hopes other millennials will follow suit and invest in the city.
“So many of my friends have the notion that the city is done for; I disagree! I see nothing but opportunity,” Tate said. “I am influenced by the Nipsey Hustle idea to ‘Buy the Block.’”
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