Today we’d like to introduce you to ZaRon McCoy.
ZaRon, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
PrettyBoyCollection started from my love for both fashion and art. I’ve always looked at fashion as more than just clothes—it’s another form of art and a way to express yourself without having to explain who you are. One of the biggest reasons I wanted to create my own brand was because I wanted a way to put my own art into the world. I’ve always believed that art lasts forever, and the idea that something I create could live beyond me and continue to be seen, worn, and remembered is something that really inspired me.
When I started PrettyBoyCollection, I didn’t have a huge team or all the resources figured out. A lot of it was me learning as I went—coming up with concepts, creating designs, finding manufacturers, creating content, building the website, marketing, and figuring out the business side of running a brand. There has definitely been a lot of trial and error, but every drop has taught me something and helped me understand the direction I want to take the brand.
The name PrettyBoyCollection represents confidence and being comfortable standing out. At its core, I want the brand to encourage people to embrace what makes them different and think freely instead of feeling like they have to fit into one box. Every piece gives me an opportunity to take an idea or something from my imagination and turn it into something real that another person can wear.
Getting to where I am today has really been about staying consistent and continuing to believe in the vision, even when things don’t happen as quickly as I want them to. I’m still building, learning, and evolving, but that’s also what makes this stage exciting. PrettyBoyCollection is becoming more than just a clothing brand to me—it’s a collection of my ideas, my art, and different pieces of who I am. My goal is to continue creating work that means something and hopefully leaves something behind that lasts.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. I think one of the biggest challenges has actually been getting out of my own head. When you’re building something that means so much to you, there’s always that voice in the back of your mind telling you that you might fail or that people might not understand what you’re creating. I’ve had to learn that the voice telling me I’m going to fail isn’t always reality—it’s fear.
Putting yourself and your art out into the world also comes with the fear of rejection. When you create something personal and people don’t respond to it the way you hoped, it can be hard not to take that personally. Over time, I’ve learned that rejection is part of creating. Not everyone is going to understand your vision, and that doesn’t mean you should stop believing in it.
There are also the financial challenges of running an independent clothing brand. You have to balance the cost of producing inventory, creating samples, marketing, content, and everything else that comes with getting your product in front of people. Fashion is already such a saturated market, so figuring out how to stand out while still being smart with your money can be difficult.
Through all of that, one of the biggest things I’ve learned is the ability to keep going. I try to remind myself that everything happens for a reason and that I created this brand for a reason. Every setback, mistake, slow period, or moment of doubt has taught me something. Sometimes the biggest obstacle in front of PrettyBoyCollection has been me, and learning how to overcome that has been just as important as learning how to run the business.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work is really a combination of fashion, art, and storytelling. Through PrettyBoyCollection, I take ideas and concepts that I have in my head and turn them into something tangible that people can actually wear. I specialize in streetwear, but I don’t want the brand to ever feel limited to one particular style. I want to have the freedom to experiment, evolve, and create whatever feels authentic to me at that moment.
I think what I want PrettyBoyCollection to be known for most is individuality. I don’t create with the intention of making something just because it’s trending or because I know it will appeal to everyone. I want someone to see one of my pieces and feel like there was a real idea behind it. Sometimes that means taking risks creatively, but that’s also what makes creating exciting to me.
What I’m most proud of is simply seeing something that once existed only in my imagination become real. There’s a completely different feeling when you go from sketching or thinking about an idea to holding the finished piece in your hands—and then eventually seeing someone else choose to wear it. Every time that happens, it reminds me that the art is no longer just mine. Someone else has connected with it enough to make it part of their own style and expression.
I think what sets me apart is that I’m not trying to create someone else’s version of a successful clothing brand. PrettyBoyCollection is very personal to me. My interests, experiences, imagination, and perspective all find their way into what I create. I’m also not afraid for the brand to change as I change. I want people to be able to look back years from now and see different eras of PrettyBoyCollection and how the art evolved over time.
Ultimately, I want to build something that lasts. I said earlier that I believe art lasts forever, and that belief is at the center of what I do. If someone can keep one of my pieces, remember a certain collection, or feel inspired to express themselves differently because of something I created, then I feel like I’m accomplishing what I set out to do.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality I feel is most important to my success is resilience. Being creative means constantly putting pieces of yourself out into the world without knowing how people are going to respond. There are going to be ideas that work, ideas that don’t, slow periods, financial challenges, and moments where you question yourself. I’ve learned that success has a lot to do with being willing to keep going through all of those moments.
I also think resilience means being willing to learn and adapt without losing sight of who you are. I’m still learning every day—about fashion, business, marketing, and even myself as an artist. I don’t expect to have everything figured out right now. What matters to me is that I’m willing to figure it out.
I’ve realized that I don’t necessarily have to be the most talented person in every room or have the most resources. I just have to be willing to keep showing up, keep creating, and keep believing in what I’m building even when the results aren’t immediate. As long as I’m willing to keep going, I’m giving PrettyBoyCollection the opportunity to become everything I believe it can be.
Pricing:
- PrettyBoyCollection releases limited quantities with pricing varying by piece and collection.
- New collections and product pricing are announced through PrettyBoyCollection’s website and social media.
- Select drops may include promotional pricing or exclusive offers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://prettyboycollection.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettyboycollection?stkn=MnVhY2R5c3RneHA2&utm_source=qr
