This past Sunday at the Kansas City People’s Choice Awards, I stepped onto the red carpet under the Kauffman Performing Arts Center lights — a moment more than a decade in the making. Black excellence converged: entrepreneurs, creatives, philanthropists, and culture‑shapers all dressed to impress. It was electric. Familiar faces greeted me; powerful hands shook mine. And through it all, I felt the steady pulse of purpose:
Material Opulence is a dream turned finalist and proud to know that we were standing tall among the city’s best.
The Red Carpet High
My nerves buzzed like a live wire as I waited for the first award announce — the moment I learned we hadn’t won Best Clothing Apparel Line.
Congrats to Made Mobb on their win. Their journey & hustle inspire us all. But in that instant, I realized: not taking home the trophy didn’t diminish our momentum — it fueled it.
Dressed dapper from head‑to‑toe in a lilac tux, I embodied what Material Opulence represents. My date by my side, we toasted resilience, creativity, and the journey ahead. That night, we dined at 801 Chophouse in Power & Light District — dry‑aged stakes, city lights, and the quiet affirmation that every step, win or lesson, is worthy of celebration.
Scene‑Stealer: Behind the Curtain of My Stage Life
That same weekend, I inhabited two very different characters:
- Friday: Understudy turned lead male in Despair, embodying Trent’s anguish and hope in front of a live audience.
- Saturday: Stepping into Dalton Sr.’s boots, bringing depth to a father’s struggle, then trading theater lights for western flair at the Black Rodeo at Hale Arena — my first rodeo since childhood.
By Sunday, I watched the final Despair performance from afar — because the awards demanded my presence. Balancing a full‑time job, a growing brand, and my actor’s soul is a tightrope walk. But each role informs the other:
- Presence on stage teaches me how to captivate an audience — skills I use in product launches and brand presentations.
- Character research sharpens empathy — fueling designs that speak to real stories and real people.
- Live feedback hones adaptability — refining our marketing in real time.
Where Heritage Defines Excellence, On Stage and Off
At the heart of every Material Opulence piece lies a story — much like every character I play. The Legacy Standard collection’s tagline, “Where heritage defines excellence,” isn’t just for clothes:
- The Heritage Crown reminds me of roots and ritual, whether I’m in character or crafting a collection.
- The Crownmark Tee & Curve Tank carry forward narratives of identity and ambition, echoing the arcs I inhabit on stage.
Both worlds — fashion and acting — demand vulnerability, storytelling, and courage. They require showing up even when the outcome is uncertain.
Building Momentum Post‑Awards
While the KCPCA result was a learning moment, the real victory is in what comes next:
- Lead Generation for Fall/Winter: We’re engaging with manufacturers, refining prototypes, and securing wholesale partnerships.
- Brand Ambassadors & Athlete Outreach: Applications are open for locals who live opulence daily, and we’ve sent proposals to top pros who embody excellence on and off the field.
- Marketing the Legacy Standard: Expect bold visuals, storytelling campaigns, and experiential pop‑ups that blend runway and real life.
The Next Role: Sunder with Bees Knees Productions
October brings another stage: Sunder, with Bees Knees Productions — the company that launched my first play. Trish, the CEO, wouldn’t take no for an answer when casting me. My character is unique, complex, and demands everything I’ve learned about leadership and resilience.
Balancing rehearsals, business calls, and design sessions may seem impossible — but I thrive on impossible. Every line I learn sharpens my brand’s narrative. Every costume fitting reminds me that design is performance.
A Call to the Movement
To everyone who’s cheered us on — voted, interned, modeled, clicked, shared — you’re not just a spectator. You’re a co‑creator in this legacy.
Whether you wear our crown or watch me command a stage, remember: excellence is not given. It’s earned. It’s the culmination of every setback, every script, every sketch.
So join us in this next act. Shop The Legacy Standard. Reach out to inquire about opportunities to be part of this journey. Come to Sunder. And above all, keep building — brick by brick, scene by scene, dream by dream.
We don’t just wear crowns. We carry them.
— Renauld Shelton II, Founder of Material Opulence
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