Today we’d like to introduce you to Raiyonda Vereen.
Hi Raiyonda, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
After graduating from Howard University, I started my career as a wardrobe stylist for music videos. After five years of styling, I transitioned into television and film as a customer for shows such as “Single Ladies” and “Sunday’s Best.” From there, I worked my way up through the years and earned a position as a Costume Designer. In 2017, I was hired as an Assistant Costume Designer for Tyler Perry Studios and by 2019, I was promoted to Costume Designer. In my role, I am currently responsible for designing for shows such as “The Oval,” “House of Payne,” “Ruthless,” “Assisted Living,” and a new show called “All The Queen’s Men.”
While working in the industry, I realized that I could start my own business providing image consulting to actors and entertainers. That idea led to me starting Raiyonda Vereen, LLC and Shopwhichbitch.com. Raiyonda Vereen, LLC is a service-based company for image consulting and wardrobe styling business, and I have a partnership with Shopwhichbitch.com, which is an online women’s boutique. The boutique allows me to capitalize on being an industry tastemaker and has allowed me to use our own merchandise to style actors, entertainers, and artists. My goal is to make Raiyonda Vereen LLC a one-stop-shop.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road working my way up to the head position as a Costume Designer and becoming a business owner. But I stayed persistent with following the path that I laid out for myself. I was under the impression that once I made the transition from wardrobe styling for music videos to costuming for tv and film that I would learn as much as I needed in the first year and I would become a Designer. However, I had a lot to learn about the tv and film industry and the various positions within the costume department. What I thought would take one year took seven years, but it was worth all of the growing pains and experiences. I now know how to run a successful Costume Department for television shows and films.
As for being a business owner, before I started Raiyonda Vereen LLC and my partnership with Shopwhichbitch.com I had a modeling agency and a promotion company for two years that were both dissolved due to lack of profitability. I believe through the years, it made me pay more attention to detail, do my research and make sure I am passionate about what I wanted to start next. Through the years, I have grown to become more business savvy and make sure I operate with integrity but making sure we are profitable and that every move makes sense. I have definitely become wiser and a miser (lol) to say the least. Most importantly, I learned to put a deadline on my dreams to make them goals and put a plan of action together to accomplish them.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a Costume Designer for tv and film, I help tell the story by working with directors and producers to assist with bringing the characters to life through their clothing and fashion. I read the scripts, then create mood boards for each characters’ look and began shopping and building clothing from scratch if necessary. I am known for being very efficient and organized and being able to put 100 looks together in 2 weeks for a TV show. I remember sitting in the movie theatre watching the first Hunger Games, and I turned to my boyfriend at the time and told him, “I am going to work on something like this one day. I love the costumes and it seems challenging yet exciting.” I literally spoke it into existence because the next year I received a call out the blue to work on Hunger Games 2, “Catching Fire”.
It was like God answered my prayers exactly. It was an incredible experience, and as a costume fitter, I was able to put some amazing futuristic fashion-forward looks together for the feature film. What sets me apart from others is I can design an entire movie or tv show with very little prep time and still execute efficiently and with a smile and laughs all day long. They call me the Energizer Bunny because I keep going and going and people that I work with say they don’t know how I do it. I give it all to God, and he gives me the strength I need to do the job.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Yes, I learned the importance of slowing down and making time for your loved ones. Also, that it does not matter how busy you are, take time to check on people and not just their well-being physically, but mentally as well. This crisis has put a lot of things into perspective, and it has also taught me to forgive people that may have crossed me business wise and personally because you live longer and more peacefully by giving it to God. I learned that I am truly protected in ways I still do not understand, but I am so thankful for it.
Furthermore, it has also taught me that if it doesn’t bring me peace and happiness, life is too short to hold on to anything or anyone that disrupts that because sometimes God can be taking you somewhere that is not meant for baggage. So, I learned to protect my peace and my space, which has made it so much easier for me to let go and let God. I have an amazing circle around me, and I am humbled and thankful for it. But, I am still learning and growing every day and I love it.
Contact Info:
- Email: raiyonda.vereen@gmail.com
- Website: shopwhichbitch.com
www.raiyondavereen.com coming soon - Instagram: @raiyonda
- Facebook: raiyonda vereen
Image Credits:
Cover Photo: Cat Harper Photography
