EccentricSoul1996
Streetwear can be an industry where fast fashion and fleeting trends often dominate, making
this Atlanta-born brand a stand-out in its philosophy, quality and aesthetic. Natalie Prosper’s
Eccentric Soul1996 is a breath of fresh air, focused on reviving the rich culture of Atlanta through
its pieces, tapping into the authenticity, creativity and community that defines the city. By
blending vintage aesthetics, up cycling materials and imbuing each creation with the personal
joys of its creator, Natalie is capturing the essence of streetwear and reinventing it as her own.
By Zuza Gaboush
Born in Miami but raised in Atlanta, Natalie finds that her personal life and consequently, her brand, have both been deeply influenced by the energy of the city. Rich in Black culture and history, the soul of Atlanta and its streetwear origins captured Natalie’s attention, and has remained a heavy influence throughout her work. However, her first encounter with fashion was on a much smaller scale, outside of the city and inside her home. Her introduction to the creative possibilities of clothing was through her mother, who has always had an eye for style. The paradox of “having a love for fashion but not having money for it” led Natalie to begin thrifting, which was an affordable way to explore creative expression. In college, this habit became not only a practical way to obtain stylish clothing, but a therapeutic and creative outlet to deal with stress. Natalie tells us,
“dressing intentionally forces creativity,”
and for her, clothing exists as a possibility where one can explore self-expression in an everyday manner. This love for vintage clothing and a deep appreciation for her city came to a head in 2017, where the idea for EccentricSoul1996 was born. Starting out from humble beginnings—sketches in her college apartment and the desire for a way out of her customer service job—the onset of the pandemic gave Natalie the push she needed to commit. “Covid’s here, my online stuff blew up, so I thought, you know what, let’s just rip the bandaid off and go ahead and do it,” she recalls. Crafting a name for her brand was the first step towards this new journey. Natalie wanted a brand that expressed its individuality, but remained open and inviting to new
customers. “I wanted a name that was welcoming and warm,” she explains. “The 1996 came from my birth year, and [EccentricSoul1996] represents the idea of being different, but still part of a community.” After four years of hard work and deliberation, Natalie officially launched her brand in 2021, and EccentricSoul was introduced to the public.
Now, when making her pieces, Natalie’s creative process is one that begins with deep thought and intention. From sourcing inspiration through photoshoots, Pinterest, vintage media, and thrift shops, to exploring the technical aspects of manufacturing—materials, techniques, and screen printing—Natalie is hands-on with every step. “For me, it was really important to learn everything from the inside out,” she shares. This intimate process has allowed Natalie to channel emotions into physical objects, translating her personal connection to Atlanta, art, and music into every design. Her approach to design is informed by a philosophy of authenticity and love for what she creates.
“I don’t sell or make anything I don’t truly love,” she explains. “I’m not making anything to be trendy.”
This deliberate pace and commitment to quality has resulted in slower growth for EccentricSoul compared to other brands, but Prosper is content with this. “I’d rather take the time with making everything myself... and also making designs that I genuinely like and will wear.” The value of authenticity as the highest priority in Natalie’s work is apparent in every part of EccentricSoul; at its core the brand is about more than just stylish pieces—it’s about producing art.
“When you look at my pieces, I want you to see them as a piece of wearable art. You put it on and feel so good, that you’re the main attraction. You’re the art piece now.”
Reflecting on her brand’s relationship to its original muse, Natalie says “I don’t think I necessarily fit into the box of Atlanta streetwear, but I definitely... embody the culture of Atlanta,” asserting that EccentricSoul isn’t just clothing, but a collection of history, culture, and memory. Through the upcycling of vintage pieces, a nostalgic and commemorative energy is present in each of Natalie’s designs, giving the pieces layers of history that pushes further meaning into her work. And to this, the city responds. Known for its grassroots community in streetwear, Natalie finds that “people support [me] in an authentic way. Consumers genuinely support small businesses at vendor events, and there’s a community feel from one-on-one interactions.” Her presence at pop-ups and vendor events like Atlanta Streetwear Market allows her to connect with like-minded creatives, fostering relationships with other designers and curators. For Natalie, these events aren’t about generating profit, but opportunities for providing platforms to build communities of artists and visionaries.
Her attention to building community and giving back is contained within a simple attitude towards exclusionary practices: “I won’t gatekeep.” Inspired by an instrumental figure in the fashion industry, Natalie admires Virgil Abloh’s dedication to educating everyone he could, “constantly giving out free game to the masses.” For EccentricSoul, Natalie views this form of generosity at no cost to her brand, stating that “what’s for me is for me, and what’s for the next person is for the next person.” This desire to touch base with her customers and maintain a connection of transparency is echoed through her Behind the Brand videos, where she posts informative vlog-style videos that inform her followers on how she maintains and builds her brand. EccentricSoul is of the people, for the people. In Natalie’s words,
“The whole point of EccentricSoul is being accessible to the everyday person. No matter how big I get in this industry, I never want to come off as untouchable. I never want to come off as so big and exclusive that I’m not a regular person and you can’t come talk to me, chop it up, ask me questions, whatever.”
One of the most distinctive aspects that allow EccentricSoul to stand-out as a streetwear brand is its commitment to sustainability. Upcycling is a foundational part of the brand, and Natalie is dedicated to reducing textile waste through ensuring the longevity of her pieces. This is why a number of her pieces utilize high-quality, reusable denim. “I like how durable and rugged denim is,” Natalie says, “and learning how much textiles are wasted... it ended up flowing into my whole mentality with the brand.” Her approach to sustainability through up cycling is supported through her desire to create high-quality pieces that can be reused and altered over time. However, being a brand owner does come with its own unique challenges. For Natalie, being a woman in a male-dominated industry, she faces different obstacles than her peers. The streetwear community can “definitely can feel like a fraternity... It is very male-dominated and can feel like I just don’t fit and I’m tryna pave my own path.” On the other side, Natalie finds that “a lot of girls I do run into [in the streetwear industry] are making clothes that are more tailored towards women. So I end up in this grey area sometimes, and I try not to get too much in my head about it.” Making unisex clothing and being a woman-owned brand, Natalie is determined to make her mark. Utilizing the freedom of pop-ups, where her clothes can speak for themselves, and where her identity as a designer can shine through without being constrained by industry norms, EccentricSoul is able to flourish regardless of the circumstances.
Looking to the future, Natalie’s ultimate goal is to build something beyond the digital world. “My end goal is not having millions of followers,” she says. “My end goal is to have a creative space that is a storefront, a place where I have my clothes and also a workshop area... where people can chill, vibe, and create together.” In this space, she envisions a community hub where she can offer free screen printing sessions, feature local Black artists, and foster a creative environment. “I feel like I’m an artist in general,” she reflects. “Clothes are just one of the mediums I use to get my creativity out there.” Natalie’s advice to up-coming creatives striving to break-out with their own work is simple yet powerful:
“Make what feels good to you. Block out all the noise, block out all the trends. Make and put out what resonates with you because people can feel that energy through the clothes.”
For Natalie, fashion isn’t just about selling clothes; it’s about telling a story, building a community, and staying true to her artistic vision. And with EccentricSoul1996, she’s doing just that—one piece of wearable art at a time.
