Imani Harris, a sophomore pre-law student, from Philadelphia, Pa. just started her fashion line, in which she has big plans for.

Harris, who maintains a track scholarship decided to attend North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University because she wanted to use her skills to represent an HBCU. 

Harris, who takes after her mother, began running track when she was nine years old. Although she desires to be a lawyer, she attended an Arts High School where she focused on fashion illustration, which inspired her passion for clothes.

“Three weeks ago I started making the t-shirts with bleach on them,” Harris said.  “I named my clothing line Pish Posh. My friend told me it popped. I wanted the name to stand out like my clothing.”

 In order to make the shirts, Harris uses a dark t-shirt to paint on with a paintbrush using bleach. It takes up to 30 minutes to paint a shirt. Once painted, the t-shirts are air-dried.

“Modern African Art is the inspiration. I usually find the designs on Tumblr or Google. I also look at different paintings and try to change it up.”

Harris will have two photo shoots which will feature her clothing line. She is also making it a point to get her brand out. Between social media and word of mouth, many people now know about Pish Posh. 

“I’m excited that I have so much support and this is just the beginning. I have over 80 designs ready in my head. I am also starting on men’s clothing tonight!” said Harris.

Luckily, t-shirts are not the only items Harris designs. Since high school, Harris has designed sneakers. 

“Any shoes I had that was getting too old, I spray painted them. I even used to draw cool designs on them just to make it different.”

Harris also likes to draw designs on heels, clutches, bags, jeans and sneakers.  

In the future, Harris would like to travel and become a lawyer. Although unsure of the type of lawyer she wants to become, she is adamant about bringing awareness to the treatment of African Americans. 

“It’s not that I actually want to be different from your average Black person, I just want to be an example of how greatly profound we are and not what is exploited of our race. We are misunderstood. I feel as though we are great in every aspect. I just want to really show those who see us at a negative view that we are actually great in many ways. They do not see that talent and I want to show them.”

Harris plans pursue her law career, but until then she will continue taking special orders for Pish Posh.  

—Email Aliyah  at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @crueltalesoflee

• Aliyah Benton Contributor