Born and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, opening a community-centered space in 2014 in her neighborhood felt like a natural career pivot for Kai Avent-deLeon. "I was 26 at the time and I really just was over working for other people," she says. "I loved what was going on in New York City as a whole and felt like there was no space like this that existed. It was also just a really cool time for retail in general— I think that's when some of the best stores that New York has ever had existed."
While leaving the corporate workforce and going in the independent business owner direction might leave some, especially in their mid-twenties, feeling wary, it just sort of all fell into place for Avent-deLeon, who found an abandoned hardware store on Tompkins Avenue, did a six month gut renovation, and cold emailed brands asking to carry their lines—most of them said yes. From there, Sincerely, Tommy, a concept store with a cafe inside, was born. "I was the first store to carry Nanushka, Collina Strada, and several other brands that hadn't been stocked yet," she says. "I guess it's just alignment—when you have a vision and that vision is meant to come forth."
We paid a visit to Sincerely, Tommy, sipped on matcha, captured Avent-deLeon in her element, and picked her brain about fashion, creativity, and what the community of Bed-Stuy means to her.
What do you love about your job?
"When I first started, it definitely didn't feel like a job and that was one of the more exciting aspects of it. I knew that I hated working in general, which is why I left the corporate setting I was in—I really just wanted to create. I think going into it, I never really thought about it from the mindset of like, oh, I need to do something that's going to be profitable or my livelihood. I just wanted to do something where I felt passionate. Over the years it's morphed into different versions of itself. I love that it's always kind of been a canvas for me to create and build upon what's existed in this space and just allow me to have new visions and take on new things that I'm passionate about and not ever feel boxed in because I don't think that we're ever meant to do just one thing."
When you're not at work, what do you like to do?
"Oh, be in nature. That is my number one thing. And to be honest, I feel like I'm rarely at work. I have really centered my life around doing things that feel good to my spirit. So I'm often in nature, wherever that is in the world. And then from there, work or creativity comes through."
How would you describe your relationship with fashion?
"I guess it's more so style. I don't think that I'm part of the fashion industry, I just love style as an expression of art. I'm so fascinated when I come across different designers who can just really come up with something innovative and new or are just really good at putting pieces together. And so that's always what fascinates me about the idea of style and just seeing how people use it as a way to express their personality."
How would you describe your relationship with art and creativity in general?
"I think it's the same thing. I think we're all, as human beings, multidimensional, innately creative, and innately artistic. It's just a matter of how we express those things. For me, I think it's endless. It's kind of whatever I feel called to in the period of life that I'm in. But everything for me goes hand in hand. There is no me without being creative, even if I'm not physically doing something."
How would you describe your personal style?
"Comfort. Always comfort. Honestly, this is why this weather is so hard for me because I'm typically in flip flops, a tank top and shorts."
Who are your style icons?
"I don't know that I have style icons in terms of like fashion. I love Prince. I love Sade. I love Malcolm X. I love people who just seem very effortless in their approach to life. And you can tell they're not waking up in the morning and spending like two hours putting an outfit together—it takes the backseat."
What are your favorite brands?
"I love old Phoebe Philo Celine. I love a lot of independent brands like Amalya Meira and J.Kim. Yeah, a lot of independent designers who are just kind of funky and weird."
What's the most worn item in your wardrobe?
"Probably these green cargo pants I got from Urban Outfitters like four years ago and I wear them all the time. They're flattering, but they're so comfortable and they're season-less."
What does your process of getting ready look like?
"I typically am in gym clothes because I work out five days a week and after I go to the gym, I start my day. I usually don't feel like getting changed unless I have to go somewhere."
How do you decide what brands or artists or creatives to put into your store?
"The foundation has always been working with small independent designers. But I think about maybe five years ago, I started bringing in Korean designers and I just love what's going on in Seoul, South Korea. I think Asia has been the future and when I go there, I'm just always very impressed by how they approach fashion and style. And a lot of the clothing that we carry is from Seoul."
Why did you decide to include music and records in your store?
"Music has always been a really big part of my life. I've always wanted to be a DJ, but then I think I got a little turned off by the idea just because everyone is a DJ now. I've always loved to dance. It's always been just an expression of therapy for me since I was, I don't know, a kid. Having that element because this is a lifestyle space was really important. We've done parties here and there, but even with the parties, it's been like just a really specific type of music that allows for people to dance and engage."
How often do you end up taking things home from the store?
"Not often. It's very rare. I'm just about comfort and I don't like having a lot of stuff."
Do you have a favorite item in the store at the moment?
"I do. It's a pair of jeans from Seoul and they're unisex. They have l some really cute details, but they're just very classic and an easy wear."
