The making of a fashion powerhouse—how does a designer go from starting out to dressing Hollywood’s biggest stars?

Brandon Gray has built a brand that commands attention on the red carpet—from the NAACP Image Awards to the Oscars and the Met Gala. But behind those moments is a story of persistence, strategy, and learning how to build in an industry that rarely gives you a clear path.

In this episode of NAACP+ Inside the Industry, Brandon Gray breaks down how he turned House of Gray into a sought-after fashion brand, how he broke into the industry without connections, and what it really takes to build something that lasts in fashion.

We'll also cover:
- What it takes to dress high-profile clients
- How to turn talent into a real business
- How designers can stay relevant as fashion evolves

If you’re a designer, creative, or entrepreneur trying to build something of your own, this conversation gives you a real look at what it takes to go from starting out to becoming a recognized name.

About Brandon Gray:
Brandon Gray is the founder of House of Gray, a fashion brand known for dressing top talent at major events, including Colman Domingo, Tyler Perry, and Niecy Nash.

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• (00:00:00) - Sneak Peek at Brandon Gray
• (00:01:14) - Episode Start
• (00:01:35) - Designing for The Met Gala
• (00:03:15) - How Brandon Defines Fashion
• (00:05:26) - His Responsibility as a Black Designer
• (00:06:27) - How Fashion Became his Profession
• (00:09:04) - What Influences his Style
• (00:10:14) - Moving from Inglewood to Paris
• (00:14:52) - Gaining Confidence in Your Abilities
• (00:16:31) - How he Overcome Imposter Syndrome
• (00:16:50) - Navigating Access and Opportunity as you Elevate
• (00:18:17) - Stay Ready so you Don't Have to Get Ready
• (00:19:24) - Making it Through the Pandemic
• (00:25:46) - Why it's Important to Travel and Network
• (00:27:03) - Your Network is your Net-worth
• (00:29:39) - Connecting to your Audience through Social Media
• (00:31:21) - Mistakes to Avoid
• (00:33:10) - Originality vs Following Trends
• (00:36:26) - The Next Era of Fashion
• (00:37:59) - Habits you Need to Succeed in Fashion
• (00:39:36) - What Aspiring Designers Should Focus on Now
• (00:40:59) - What his Legacy Will Be
• (00:44:38) - 3 Tips to Break into Fashion
• (00:44:40) - Who you Dress Matters
• (00:45:38) - Nothing Changes Overnight
• (00:46:08) - Originality is Still a Thing
• (00:46:49) - Exposure doesn't Always Pay the Bills
• (00:48:30) - Realizing I didn't Want to be a Lawyer