Business/Organization: Ragtrade Atlanta
Title: Founder
Email: angela@ragtradeatlanta.com
Biography:
Angela Watts is an award-winning marketing and communications (marcom) executive, and the founder of RAGTRADE Atlanta, a creative and event production agency, which strategically build partnerships between brands and fashion design talent, retailers, and multi-hyphenate creatives through collaborations, brand launches, experiential marketing, content, and business development programs. Currently based in Atlanta, GA, Watts has led strategy for a variety of global brands and agencies for 20+ years. Since starting her marcom and event production career in 2003, Watts has worked with major brands to produce some of the most memorable fashion moments in Atlanta. Brand partnerships include Macy’s, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Lincoln Motor Company, Microsoft, Atlanta Hawks, Bloomingdale’s, Airbnb, United Artist Releasing, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Arts Institute of Atlanta, Bauder College, and more. A few years later, Watts launched RAGTRADE ATLANTA, a fashion organization committed to developing a sustainable fashion industry for the city of Atlanta. Angela’s progressive work for this underserved community garnered her one of the city’s biggest honors, the City of Atlanta Phoenix Award in 2014. In 2017, Watts was approached by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the world’s busiest airport to develop and execute Global Runway, a marketing program that successfully merged fashion and aviation through a unique brand experience that highlighted the diverse fashion, lifestyle and beauty options offered at ATL. Since its initial launch, Global Runway has increased retail profits by millions and garnered brand impressions globally. Two years later, Watts continued advocacy and belief in the city’s efforts to shape American style, Watts and her team announced Atlanta Fashion Week official partnership with the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment in October 2019. In 2021, RAGTRADE ATLANTA and ATLFW became a founding member of CFDA Connects; a program that recognizes, promotes, and provides business development support to select Regional Fashion Organizations (RFOs), their Fashion Weeks and the Designers based within these key US markets. Passion for others have always played a major part in Watts efforts to give back to young leaders. With a knack for cultivating strong relationships and leveraging resources, Angela provides quarterly mentorship to support creatives and startups who are striving to make a lasting impact in business and entrepreneurship. Watts studied marketing at Georgia State University and has served on the board for Fashion Group International and Black Public Relations Society of Atlanta. Currently, Angela is a board member with the National Black Arts (NBAF).
