Meet Our Monthly Maker: Building Community and Sustainable Fashion with Ivy Eye

Website: IvyEye.co

Instagram: @ivyeye.co

Meet Milan Marshall and Malik Tyler, the creative duo behind sustainable streetwear brand Ivy Eye, and discover how NextFab’s community is helping them turn their vision into reality.

Tell Us About Yourself

Sometimes the best collaborations happen organically. For Milan Marshall and Malik Tyler, co-founders of Ivy Eye, their partnership began through social media and has blossomed into a sustainable unisex streetwear brand that’s redefining what it means to create with both community and function in mind.

“When we met, we both had individual brands. We took our strengths and merged ideas, joining forces to create something new.” Malik said. 

What is your educational background?

Milan, a Bowie State graduate with a fashion degree and business minor, specializes in women’s wear, while Malik, who studied business entrepreneurship and business systems at Towson, brings expertise in bags and accessories.

Their combined strengths have resulted in a brand that goes beyond typical streetwear. Currently creating hoodies, sweatshirts, blouses, and dresses, they’re developing something truly innovative: functional garments designed specifically for artists and creators.

What do you make/what are you currently working on?

“We’re developing products for artists and creators, making garments with creators in mind – how they work and having their tools accessible,” Milan explains. Their latest concept? A hoodie or jacket with multiple compartments and tool-hanging features – essentially “a tool belt, but it’s a jacket. Everything is a functional tool belt for on-the-go artists.”

This breakthrough came during their participation in NextFab’s Artisan Accelerator program. When a business consultant challenged them to focus on a specific product, they brainstormed what they and their artist friends would actually want while working. The result expands across photography, fashion, and all creative disciplines.

How did you come up with this idea?

The name “Ivy Eye” carries deep meaning for the duo. “Ivy Eye stands for growth and transparency throughout the processes,” Malik shares. There’s also a clever design element: “It’s spelled out, but if abbreviated to IVI it makes the letter M, for both of their names.”

What’s the hardest part?

“Consistency,” stated Malik, “specifically with social media and marketing.” Needing to manage product production and operational elements leaves little time for consistent and strategic marketing. 

As with many artists and makers, finding a specialization has also been a challenge for the pair. With tons of one-off ideas, finding a standardized product to be their signature has been difficult. They’re thinking with the customer in mind and solidifying how to get to that person to establish their signature pieces. 

What are your goals?

Their goals for the coming months are ambitious yet grounded. “We want to get the product solidified and have it up and running and a prototype to start to market better,” they explain. They’re also planning to create “some sort of community forum where we can engage other artists and other creators to give ideas and have a voting system to get feedback from customers.”

In the next year, they envision “being more established and having a brand and identity together,” with plans for more pop-ups, expanded inventory, and potentially bringing on help with production.

What inspires you?

Both founders draw inspiration from their creative community and the natural world. “I have a lot of creative friends and seeing them work on stuff gives me the drive to do it as well,” Malik explains. “Also, nature, the organic flow of things, and how things in nature move organically – it’s not too structured. A network of roots looks different each time and can’t be replicated.”

Milan agrees: “Seeing everyone around us create. If we have writer’s block, people will include us in what they’re doing. They’re doing so many different things, and wow, there are so many ways to create.” She adds, “I’m a big plant and flower girly, and seeing things grow all the time is beautiful. To embody that in myself and have my own personal growth makes me happy.”

What’s the most rewarding memory in your business?

Their first pop-up shop remains their most rewarding business memory. “It happened organically. The owner of American Grammar walked in and was really sweet, and I asked what they did. They said we could have a pop-up,” Milan recalls. “We told friends and family, and everyone came to support. We sold a lot and left some there to be sold. We feel loved and supported in an easy way.”

What makes your business unique?

What sets Ivy Eye apart is their commitment to sustainable practices and complete transparency. “Right now we’re using only upcycled materials and trying to keep that consistent so it’s all 1 of 1,” Milan notes. “Transparency – these are the fabrics we have, and being as honest as possible. Even the way we make things, we want to be able to say that.”

Their vision extends beyond just selling clothes. “We want to be not just a place to buy clothes but a resource for other creators as well, showing our process to help the next person,” Malik explains. “We’re going to share step by step how we create.”

What machinery/shops do you use at NextFab?

“Pretty much everything in the textiles room – industrial sewing machines and sergers – we plan to get certified on all the equipment,” Milan says.

The access to professional equipment has been transformative. “We’ve been using a home sewing machine, but now we can use the industrial machine. Maybe we could even get our own. We’re going to be using the laser cutter. All these different things that will make everything easier to have a process,” Milan enthuses.

What is your favorite part about NextFab and why?

The duo’s relationship with NextFab began with a jewelry-making class that Milan took in May. “After the jewelry-making class, I thought we could do this. It felt like a sign as soon as the email came up,” she remembers about joining the Artisan Accelerator program.

What they love most about NextFab? “The people. Everyone is so kind there,” they say unanimously. “I can ask anyone anything, and they’ll teach me. Everyone is so willing to help.”

The makerspace has become their creative sanctuary. “I’m happy about having a dedicated space to work on stuff. For my other job, I work from home, so I’m always at home. Having a house where you chill, work, and do creative is overwhelming. NextFab can be a creative zone,” Malik shares.

What advice would you give aspiring makers?

Their wisdom for aspiring makers reflects their collaborative spirit:

Milan: “Try new things. Not even creatively, just be open to trying different experiences because you never know where you’re going to end up and what knowledge you gain from that. Be around other people that are fun, and you’ll learn skills from them that you can take to your own craft.”

Malik: “Build on the skill of observing, constantly observing, there’s something in everything that you can take away.”

Ivy Eye represents the best of what happens when creative vision meets supportive community. Through NextFab’s resources and their own commitment to sustainability and transparency, Milan and Malik are creating something that’s both functional and meaningful – proving that streetwear can be a tool for empowerment, creativity, and positive change.

Stay in the loop on the upcoming Artisan Accelerator program or learn more about NextFab’s maker community and how you can be part of it at nextfab.com