EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
BENSON ROBERTS IS A CELEBRATED FASHION DESIGNER AND PHOTOGRAPHER ORIGINALLY FROM THE METROPOLITAN DETROIT, MICHIGAN AREA. HE GARNERED MANY AWARDS IN THE FIELD OF FASHION DESIGN IN THE 1980’S AND 1990’S. SOME OF THE ACCOLADES INCLUDE DETROIT’S BEST NEW DESIGNER, AWARDED BY THE METROPOLITAN, BEST DESIGNER AND FAVORITE DESIGNER OF THE YEAR, BOTH AWARDED BY ORBIT MAGAZINE, AND BEST DESIGNER, AWARDED BY THE METRO TIMES.
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enson developed name and brand recognition in the mid-western United States, as well as in New York and Canada, for his fashion shows and incredible theatrical presence. After a stunning summer as the headliner at The State Theater in Detroit in 1994, Benson decided he would relocate his business. For ten years the award-winning Atelier Benson/ Mange la Mode team was based in New Orleans, Los Angeles, and San Francisco; before settling down in Austin, Texas.
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FLUENTIAL NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018
With over 34 years in the apparel business, Benson can utilize his contacts and skills to bring any project from concept to consumption. It’s his goal to disrupt the current apparel infrastructure and to replace it with a new, greener, safer, and more profitable job creating culture. I’m honored to have had the opportunity to chat with Benson about everything Benson. It was aweinspiring learning more about this award-winning designer who happens to live in one of the greatest cities in the United States, and oh, who happens to also live in the same city as I do. We had an interesting and jovial conversation and I hope after you read our conversation, you too, will come away inspired. William Jackson: Tell me the most interesting facts about yourself. Benson Roberts: On one hand I’d tell you I’m no more interesting than the next man. On the other, I know I’ve lived a colorful life often at odds with the expectations one would have for an artist. I’ll start at the beginning; I was born dying and have had two near death experiences since then including one two years ago. Due in large part to these experiences, I’ve seized life by the throat and wrung as much from it as possible. William: How did you develop an interest in pursuing fashion design? Benson: In truth I don’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t interested in the idea and act of creating beautiful garments. As a child I cut up my father’s silk ties to create couture for my sister’s Barbie dolls. William: You have several successful years in the apparel business. Today, Atelier Benson/Mange la Mode is a well-known, award winning national fashion brand. Would you speak to me about the evolution of the brand? Benson: My brand has grown organically as I’ve grown and experienced life. I grew up in Detroit and so was influenced by a decaying city and multicultural people.