OUR PURPOSE
The Story of the 1907 Collection: A Legacy of Pride and Purpose
Mistoria Brown walked the halls of Dillard High School with a sense of purpose, long before she knew she would one day become the founder of the 1907 Collection. She was a student then, but more than that, she was a dreamer—one who saw the power in history, the strength in community, and the responsibility of preserving both for generations to come.
Growing up in Fort Lauderdale, Mistoria had always been surrounded by a deep sense of cultural pride. Her community, her family, and her school had all played a role in shaping her identity. Dillard High School, a historic institution built on the foundations of Black excellence, had not only given her an education but had instilled in her a powerful legacy—one of resilience, ambition, and faith. It was there that she first realized that success was not just about personal achievement but about collective empowerment.
In 2012, God placed a vision in Mistoria’s heart—a vision to create something that would honor the past while inspiring the future. She quietly nurtured the idea, allowing it to take form over time. By 2016, she brought her first collection to life, crafting designs that reflected the spirit of Dillard High’s alumni and students. But it wasn’t just about apparel; it was about storytelling, about connecting the generations, about ensuring that the youth understood the greatness they were inheriting.
As Mistoria pursued her career in education, her calling to serve the next generation became even clearer. By 2019, she felt another divine push—this time, to return to the vision that had been planted years before, but on a greater scale. She understood that history was not meant to be locked in textbooks; it was meant to be lived, worn, and carried forward in ways that resonated with young people today. That realization led to the rebirth of the 1907 Collection, a brand that was more than fashion—it was a movement.
Through the 1907 Collection, Mistoria sought to weave history, pride, and education into every design. She knew that representation mattered, and through each T-shirt, hoodie, and jacket, she wanted students and alumni alike to see themselves reflected in the fabric of Dillard’s legacy. More importantly, she wanted them to understand that they were part of something bigger—a legacy that demanded to be honored and carried forward.
But Mistoria’s vision went beyond just clothing. She recognized that students needed more than symbols; they needed opportunities. With a background in both education and entrepreneurship, she saw the potential to merge the two, using the 1907 Collection as a platform to empower young people. The Campaign Blue initiative was born from this mission, channeling profits from select merchandise into funding student clubs, sports teams, and school projects. It was her way of ensuring that every purchase made a difference, that every piece of apparel served as an investment in the future.
What makes the 1907 Collection so powerful is not just its designs but its purpose. Mistoria’s leadership has transformed the brand into a bridge between past and future, between alumni and current students, between history and progress. She invites everyone—Dillard graduates, parents, educators, and supporters—to be part of this movement. She believes that mentorship, career opportunities, and community engagement are just as important as the shirts and hoodies bearing the Dillard name.
For Mistoria, the 1907 Collection is not just about selling apparel; it’s about making an impact. Every student who wears a piece of the collection is wearing a symbol of resilience, of excellence, and of faith in their own potential. They are carrying forward a history that must never be forgotten and a promise that must always be fulfilled.
"We are not just creating clothes; we are building a legacy—one that honors the past, strengthens the present, and paves the way for the future," Mistoria often says. And through the 1907 Collection, she continues to live out that mission, proving that when history, faith, and purpose come together, they create something truly timeless.
The 1907 Collection is more than a brand. It is a testament to what is possible when passion meets purpose, when history is honored, and when a community comes together to invest in its own future. And under Mistoria’s guidance, it will continue to inspire, uplift, and empower—one design at a time.
Sincerely,
-1907 Team & Mistoria Be