Dripavellis Mobile Clothing Store: Urban Fashion on Wheels

By Lajeune Hollis

​Jerae Williams, owner of Dripavellis Mobile Clothing Store, knew from an early age that he had a natural gift for fashion, following the lead of his father.

“My dad was always the fly guy in our area, so when growing up I always looked to him for style,” he shared.

Throughout his youth Williams loved dressing “outside the box” and worked for the New Britain Parks & Rec every summer to help pay for his own school clothes, so he could complement his unique style and love for fashion.

​As a young adult, Williams would visit New York City with his dad, where he could easily follow the fashion trends and save on the latest styles.
​
Life for Williams wasn’t always easy. Born and raised in the projects of New Britain, Connecticut, he describes his upbringing as underprivileged. While his father was away for some time, he and his sister grew up in a single-family home. Around the time he started high-school, William suffered some major setbacks but then made some decisions to better his life.

“I decided to turn my life around and be the man I always wanted to be,” he said.

After a few years of what he describes as “sliding by and not really having a career, extended education or plan,” Williams followed through on one of those decisions to tap back into his love for fashion and become a business owner. The trial period started from the trunk of his car and in February 2021, Williams took a leap of faith and launched Dripavellis Mobile Clothing Store.

“I always had an idea for business and wanted to bring top brands to Connecticut,” he said. “But I wanted to be innovative, new and convenient for shoppers on the heels of COVID-19. It’s a beautiful store—a store on wheels—and there’s nothing like it! Customers love the idea and the ability to experience shopping inside of a truck. The notion of being mobile and bringing the store to you has been breaking boundaries and surprising customers at every event since turning the first corner.”

Dripavellis is certainly an experience to remember. The mobile shop is outfitted with a full dressing room, cabinetry, flooring, ceiling fixtures, music and lighting. And, the ultra-large mobile fashion store stays toasty warm in the winter and nice and cool in the summer.

Customers can browse bright, colorful, highly sought-after urban and streetwear clothing from Hasta Muerte—a best-selling brand for Dripavellis, topping at 10,000 shirt sales between April and November, Outrank—a famous brand out of Miami, and Runtz—a one-of-akind brand out of California, in addition to others.

"The notion of being mobile and bringing the store to you has been
breaking boundaries and surprising customers at every event since turning
​the first corner."

Dripavellis has made many stops since its launch in early 2021, including local vendor pop-ups, events and even stopping at local colleges.
​
“At one point, the pandemic was helping me because people did not want to be indoors or inside,” he shared. “While there were long lines at the mall, I was delivering right to your door.”

When shoppers can’t make it to the Dripavellis Mobile Clothing Store, they can shop from the comfort of their homes through their online shop. With the help of social media, Dripavellis provides local and surrounding areas with deliveries and ships anywhere in the United States.

“I pride myself on being very prompt in getting my customers their tracking number within an hour,” said Williams.

In true entrepreneurial fashion, Williams strives to keep his service A-1 so people will like the experience and come back.

“I love when people tag me from their social pages wearing the outfits they bought from me,” he said. “They look so happy, and they love the quality. It truly makes me excited and motivated to see my customers in the clothes that I provide. My customers give so much love back.”

Speaking of giving back, Williams is planning on working with the New Britain Boys and Girls Club and Parks & Recreation to help in any way he can. “I pretty much grew up with them,” he said.

While he’s made great strides since his launch just one year ago, Williams is just getting started. What’s to come for Dripavellis is three-fold: opening a storefront in New Britain, continuing to operate the mobile truck and maintaining its online shop.

Williams is truly on a mission to spread his “Drip” all around the world.

“We’re the one-stop shop where everyone can get the best high-quality clothing with the most convenient shopping experience at the best prices,” said Williams. “Dripavellis loves representing New Britain Connecticut’s love for style and fashion.”

​Find Dripavellis on Facebook, Instagram or visit their website to shop online. 

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AUTHOR

Lajeune Hollis is a Connecticut resident, media sales professional, local news junkie, daughter, sister, proud aunt and colon cancer survivor. She has spent the past 30+ years in the media industry and has written, produced and hosted mini-biographies (bio-line) for a gospel video show called Lifeline Gospel Videos on a Bridgeport, CT public access television station; written African American book reviews for a monthly urban newspaper, The Inner City Newspaper, in New Haven, CT; co-hosted an on-air book review (the L & L Book Review) on an urban contemporary radio station (WNHC AM 1340); hosted an African American monthly book club at Barnes and Noble bookstore in North Haven, CT; worked as a community radio announcer (Lovers Corner with Lajeune) at a New Haven area radio station (WYBC 94.3 FM); worked as a local ad sales manager for Umoja Newspaper in Bridgeport, CT; worked in radio advertising sales and management for a total of four Connecticut radio stations (WNHC AM 1340, WEBE 108FM, WICC 600 AM, and WYBC 94.3FM) and is currently working in local ad sales (television, digital, online, content marketing and social media) for News 8, a New Haven, CT based ABC TV affiliate. Lajeune also has her own website, LajeuneHollis.com and blog, The View from Lajeune.

PHOTOGRAPHER

Leaja Johnson, of Exhibit Leaja, is a Hartford resident, passionate about all things communication. From social media marketing to videography to graphic design to photography. She is successful in many avenues. 

Leaja always had a knack for capturing moments. No matter where, the moment is hers. She never realized how much she enjoyed photography until her junior year of college, and from there she fell face first into the iris. In June 2020, Leaja embarked on this journey as a freelance photographer. A year later, she is still evolving into the photographer she is destined to be.

When she is not behind the camera, you can catch her in front of the camera as a model or behind a screen supporting her friends in their new ventures. Other times, you can catch her in a cozy robe at home thinking about her next big move.

Leaja is happy to be a contributor to ShopBlackCT.com as a member of the social media and photography team.