Faith, Fashion, and a Dream: Rhesa Teesdale’s Road to Paris Runways

As the creator of a faith-based streetwear line committed to bringing positivity to the world through his art, Rhesa Teesdale ’23, MSEL’24 could not have picked a better day to break some big news to his parents—his clothes will be featured in Paris Fashion Week.

“It was Christmas morning when I could finally tell them,” Teesdale said. “My dad does not cry, but he cried when he heard about this. They both did. They know how big of a deal Paris is.”

For any designer, the invitation to showcase a collection at the world’s most prestigious fashion event is an honor. For Teesdale, a Dorchester, Massachusetts, native, it was the culmination of years of ambition, faith, and hustle. His streetwear brand, Prophet | Envoy—founded on the belief that fashion can be both trendy and rooted in positivity—will hit the Paris runway on March 7.

A Leap of Faith

Teesdale’s path to Paris Fashion Week began with a leap—literally. Last summer, on a whim, he bought a last-minute flight to Paris, spending $1,000 he wasn’t sure he could spare. A friend from Babson’s Master of Science in Management in Entrepreneurial Leadership (MSEL) program had invited him, promising a couch to crash on during Fashion Week.

Teesdale went, seeking inspiration, and left with a burning conviction. “I saw those shows and just said, ‘I have to do this. I have to be here,’” he recalled.

With that goal in mind, Teesdale took a methodical approach, researching three potential avenues: hosting his own show, joining a showroom, or applying to international runway showcases. The first two options proved too costly or logistically impossible in such a short time. So, he took a shot, submitting applications to eight runway production companies. When one reached out, not just offering him a spot in New York Fashion Week, but also extending an invitation to Paris, Teesdale was stunned.

“I saw the email, read the subject line, and just … left it there,” he admitted with a laugh. “I couldn’t process it at first.”

It wasn’t until he reread the acceptance letter that reality sank in. Even then, he held the news close. His father, a home renovation entrepreneur, had always taught him to celebrate accomplishments only when they were truly in motion. Teesdale followed that advice, quietly working out sponsorships, securing funding, and finalizing plans before telling even his closest friends.

By Christmas morning, he was ready to share it with his family.

Prophet | Envoy: A Brand with Purpose

Teesdale’s journey in fashion began in high school when his mother suggested he design T-shirts featuring Bible verses. He loved the idea of faith-driven fashion but wanted to expand the concept into something universally appealing.

That vision solidified when a high school friend suggested the name Prophet | Envoy—a phrase meaning “messenger of good news.” From that moment, Teesdale committed to creating a brand that fused faith, history, and high fashion.

His breakthrough came during Black History Month in his final undergraduate year at Babson. Inspired by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Ruby Bridges, he designed a tapestry-style jacket featuring their portraits.

Response to the “Messengers of Peace” tapestry jacket was overwhelming. Though sales didn’t immediately soar, the piece garnered a lot of attention. Then, in the summer of 2023, Teesdale’s fortunes shifted after posting a few simple TikTok videos featuring his designs. Within hours, he had his first $2,000 day. Orders kept pouring in.

“I was getting sales with every action I took,” he said. “I’d step into another room—sale. Order Uber Eats—sale. Walk across campus—sale.”

The viral moment changed everything, proving that his vision resonated beyond just a niche audience. Soon, celebrities were spotted in his pieces, and major publications took notice.

Fashion on the World Stage

Teesdale remains deeply connected to Babson, crediting its entrepreneurial and fashion network for much of his growth. It was through fellow alumni and faculty that he found guidance, sponsorships, and invaluable mentorships.

That his upcoming Fashion Week appearances in New York and Paris will occur close to Black History Month brings Teesdale’s journey full circle, reminding him why he chose to include the faces of prominent Black Americans on his clothing.

“I wanted to highlight Black historical figures that I feel embodied the values I portray in my art of good news,” Teesdale said.

Now, as he prepares for Paris, he’s been calling on that network once more. As he works to cover a $25,000 fundraising goal to cover production costs, travel, and team expenses, Teesdale wants to ensure this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is fully realized.

“I don’t know when I’ll get another chance like this,” he said. “I have to make it count.”

With New York Fashion Week just weeks away and Paris on the horizon, Teesdale is stepping into the global fashion scene with confidence—and a mission. His father’s tears of joy on Christmas morning were a testament to the magnitude of the moment. A Boston-born designer, raised on faith, fueled by ambition, and guided by Babson, is about to take on Paris Fashion Week.

Posted in Entrepreneurial Leadership, Outcomes

Tagged Alumni, Entrepreneurship Education, Startups

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