North Charleston Brothers Launch Clothing Company to Showcase Gullah Geechee Culture Through Style
A North Charleston-based family of six brothers has launched Sweet Grass Clothing Company, a culturally-rooted venture through which they aim to promote and preserve their indigenous Gullah Geechee culture.
The Journey to Creating Sweet Grass
Dr. Shawn Mitchell, a dentist and owner of Sweet Grass Dental, along with his five brothers Trevor, Julian, Ryan, Kevin, and Dr. Edward Mack have initiated a venture that intertwines family ties, professional design, and cultural representation. Also known as “The Six”, the Mitchell brothers launched Sweet Grass Clothing Company in 2020. The online business operates as a convergence point between their love for their culture and their knack for fashion design.
Embracing and Representing the Gullah Geechee Heritage Through Fashion
Being natives of Wadmalaw Island, the brothers’ priority has been to feature their proud Gullah Geechee roots through the designs and stories in each of their collections. Lead Marketer Trevor Mitchell discusses the importance of celebrating their heritage stating, “When we went other places, people were very big on their culture. And I kind of noticed that Charlestonians wasn’t. So for me it was very big on, ‘You know what, I’m proud to be Gullah Geechee.”
Mother’s Influence and Cultivating the Art of Fashion
The Mitchell brothers attribute the concept of their company to their mother Mattie Mitchell, a seamstress who crafted everything from everyday clothes to wedding dresses. Their early introduction to the world of fashion through their mother’s sewing room allowed the brothers to learn about different fabric types and clothing cuts at a very young age.
Ensuring Quality Outfits and Designing with Love
Quality and design nuances lie at the heart of Sweet Grass clothing. Julian Mitchell, the Sales Manager, ensures that the garments are of high quality, stating, “I was big on, I got to wear the clothes and I’m not wearing anything that’s jokey or—I’m not wearing nothing like that. We got a nice material. Nice designs. I’m not going to sell anything I’m not going to wear.”
Being Role Models and Impacting the Community
Forming an accomplished team of two doctors, two nurses, and two engineers, the brothers are adamant about the power of representation and the ability to inspire. They consider giving back to their community as integral, as Julian believes that, “You can’t become it if you don’t see it.”
Future Prospects for Sweet Grass Clothing Company
As for the future, the Mitchell brothers have grand plans. The clothing company plans to roll out their new Carolina Gold collection later this year, and also aims to move their business to a physical flagship storefront in the coming years. Despite the challenges, they share optimism about the future with Shawn expressing, “It’s an active fight, but there’s a lot there for us to prosper as a people and—if we just hone in on what the community needs, we’ll be fine.”
