Wendy M. Reynolds: What finally launched you into the fashion industry?
Myra Wallace: My cousin Marlon, died. He was more like my brother. He was my rock. We were inseparable No matter where I went, he was there. He used to encourage me by saying, “Design this, and make that! You can do it Myra. You have to do it.” His death was an emotional setback for me, but was also a very pivotal time in my life. Before his death I depended a lot on him. After he died, I had to learn to trust and totally depend on God.
Solely in memory of my cousin, I entered a designer competition. A little unsure because of my lack of formal training, I decided to do it in honor of my cousin. I won, in the menswear division and had never made men’s clothing before. I thought, “Wow God, are you trying to tell me something? This had become a very spiritual time in my life.
Wendy M. Reynolds: When did you get your big break?
Myra Wallace: After I won the design competition, God opened many doors. I started doing more men’s wear. I started doing more shows to get my name out locally. I met people who told me I needed to develop my niche. This led me into the big a tall men’s arena. A friend’s father told me that I was thinking too small. He encouraged me to look into working with athletes since it is hard for them to find clothes. He introduced me to a gentleman who did some marketing with some of the LA Lakers. I was so nervous meeting him. I gave him my little brochure. He said he’d see what he could do. I went home and prayed like nobody’s business! Long story short, he ended up calling me the next day and making the connection for me to design and make two suits each, for six of the LA Lakers. They agreed to have photos taken wearing my designs.
It all happened so fast and it was incredible. The guys were great. They took lots of pictures. They could tell I was not a groupie that I was all about business. The connection with the Lakers was huge for me. It established me, my reputation and a standard. From there, things kept evolving. Eventually, I launched my own manufacturing company, Woven Integrity where we produced a big and tall men’s line called MKO Man. AC Green, one of the original six Lakers I had connected with, became my business partner.
Wendy M. Reynolds: So did that allow you to just branch out from there?
Myra Wallace: Yes. When God established my reputation with the Lakers, it opened many doors. MKO dressed just about every big and tall man in entertainment or on TV. At that time, there was no other line that focused solely on big and tall men. MKO became a branded name. We shipped all over the nation as well as five other countries. This led to my experience to work with the LA Black Business Expo, where I was eventually appointed as the Executive Director. I initially started as the Fashion Show Director coordinating and producing the Fashion shows. God began establishing my reputation as a businesswoman and connector. I built relationships with so many wonderful business owners, corporations, and entertainers. In 2007, I resigned as Director. I felt that God was leading me down a path, to do some of the other things He purposed me to do.