NATALIE AYERS

is the multi-hyphenate, creative force behind the future “IT Brand”, THE ISSUED launching in 2021

Natalie has always had an eye for style, taste, and aesthetic when it came to the arts and design. But what separates Natalie from the rest is her passion for people and her ability to connect people to products and experiences.

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After growing up in North Carolina, Natalie attended NC State University in Raleigh, NC where she studied Biology, soon finding out that pre-med just wasn’t in her cards.  Transferring into the Textile program, Natalie found her sweet spot, fusing her interest in science and love for design as one, graduating with a BS in Fashion + Textile Management + Marketing with a concentration in product development + design.  

Throughout college Natalie worked as a stylist, onboard trainer, and platinum circle sales lead for Banana Republic where she met her future boss and partner-in-crime at that time, who later opened up The Art of Style boutique in November of 2010.   During this time Natalie also took part in many fashion shows working backstage, as a model, judge and most importantly, designer, taking home first place in many competitions.  Though design and clothing were Natalie’s main passions she realized she was more skilled at directing and conceptualizing collections rather than sewing - sparking her love for creative direction and brand strategy.

In January of 2011, two months after The Art of Style opened its doors, Natalie came on board to the team, while still attending college, as an intern which quickly turned into her head role as Creative Director and Brand Director for the next 9 years. Over those 9 years, Natalie: rebranded the original concept 2 times, opened 2 new store locations, managed and directed all creative concepts from idea to product, implemented all new technology, systems and processes, managed, hired and trained all employees, planned, bought, and oversaw all seasonal collections for men and women, planned and executed all in-store and experiential events including all yearly fashion shows, and grew the overall store from ground zero into a multi-million dollar small business, all while amassing tens of thousands of clients and a large network of global brands.

After years of working tirelessly to scale the business by pushing the brand into new and exciting territories, Natalie realized that she needed more from her career and a personal refresh for her own sense of well being. In January of 2020 Natalie unexpectedly said goodbye to (her then) forever career and hello to the unknown.

In February 2020, after a month of complete uncertainty and fear of what’s to come, she decided to start completely fresh, moving to Florida where little did she know, that the next year would be completely turned upside down with the onset of the global Covid pandemic. It was then that Natalie decided to do the hardest thing she’s attempted to yet and filed for her very own LLC to start her first clothing label, THE ISSUED, which is sustainably, socially, and ethically focused. Although the ISSUED clothing label is on pause, Natalie has been working diligently to bring this brand to life through other exciting means which will soon be announced in December 2021!

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Natalie is currently located in Miami, FL where she is working on the launch of her clothing brand while solely focusing on building her fashion + retail network throughout Miami and South Florida through her wardrobe styling and retail consulting. When she is not working, she is exploring her new city, learning the ins and outs of graphic design, photography, and videography, dabbling in creative side hustles, and trying to network as much as covidly possible.  <3