ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Back-to-back Super Bowl champion Marquez Valdes-Scantling is back home in St. Petersburg with a plan to encourage entrepreneurship.
Valdes-Scantling is hoping to make a new trend by expanding the fashion scene here in Tampa Bay with an annual fashion fest with designers from near and far.
“I've never seen anything like this, and I’ve been here my whole life,” Valdes-Scantling said.
This year, he's launching Luxe Fashion Fest, featuring seven collections.
“I think being able to have the fashion space that doesn't really tap this market that often and being able to keep bringing things back to it, is super important to me,” Valdes-Scantling said.
Juan Zapata, who lives in Tampa, created Muse by Pablo in 2017.
“Most of our customers are from up north and out west like California. Tampa market is still pretty small to make a living off,” Zapata said.
Avril Stinson with Tampa Bay chamber of commerce said entrepreneurship spiked during the pandemic.
“Going to traditional brick and mortar stores doesn’t always work for everybody,” Stinson said.
“It sucks that a lot of stores are closing but you got to move with the times,” Zapata said.
With traditional malls like Britton Plaza and Westshore Plaza potentially being looked at for redevelopment, local brands are emphasizing showcasing their products through different outlets.
“You have access to the internet you have companies that can provide you with what you need without having to go spend time at the mall,” Stinson said.
“This may inspire somebody to throw their own show. I feel like it's definitely good for the future of Tampa fashion,” Zapata said.
Valdes-Scantling said we'll have to wait and see where he lands next in his NFL career, but one thing he did share with 10 Tampa Bay is that he hopes to continue the Luxe Fashion Fest for many years to come.