Conversations with Julianna Toney (also known as SheeBangs)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julianna Toney (also known as SheeBangs) .

Hi Julianna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was very creative in high school but did not know my true abilities and talents. I went to Valdosta State University to study Biology. I thought I wanted to be a doctor until I began failing my classes. As I began to take Theater classes for fun, I realized it made me feel happy and alive. In the same timeframe, I began working on a clothing line with a close friend called “Creshe”.

I began to tap into my design and creative direction abilities as I also pioneered a huge fashion show on campus called “Mainstream Madness”. Almost three years into my studies, I decided to change my major from Biology to dual studies in Art & Theater Arts. It was then that I picked up costume design, theatrical makeup and painting skills. In 2015 I created my first painting series entitled “Trap Queens” which was a play on the popular Fetty Wap song and depicted Black women in my life in dynamic poses, wearing gold jewelry and cultural hairstyles. That same summer, I had the opportunity to work in the costume shop at VSU to create costumes for the stage play “Les Miserables”. Moving back to Atlanta, I wanted to show off my newfound skills and decided to host my first art show “Exhibit 24”. It was all a success.

In 2016, I decided to continue my education & study Fashion at SCAD. I began learning the business of fashion, perfected my design skills, and moved to Savannah. I had the opportunity to work on various marketing campaigns to broaden my understanding of what it takes to run a successful brand. I graduated from SCAD in 2019 & moved back to start my very own brand…SHEEBANGS. I do all of the buying, fashion designing, web design & graphics, and marketing for this brand. I launched my brand August 2019 so this is only the beginning. It will soon combine all of my artwork with fashion design. Lastly, Summer 2020 I founded my nonprofit organization, The Toney Art Foundation. It was founded in remembrance of my brother Austin Rashad Toney. He passed away January 2020. As his initials spell A.R.T., he was a dedicated band percussionist, and I am an artist… we decided to start and art foundation giving back to our communities through art & music. Today I am running the Toney Art Foundation and SHEEBANGS all while working my 9-5 at Christian Dior & learning how to DJ.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been smooth at all. My first time designing a collection was a fail. Many people took advantage of me and my business partner. We went through various seamstresses and spent a lot of money. I also was never given credit for most of my work. Lesson learned. My first fashion show, no one showed up. However, each show got bigger and better. I had a total of 4 fashion shows at Valdosta State. The final show was an awesome turnout. People wanted to pay extra just to sit on the front row. The decision to change my major from Biology to Art was very emotional, School was never easy. I cried and cried and always wanted to give up. The decision to further my education and attend SCAD was a big decision and I couldn’t afford it. Finances were a big struggle on top of difficult, fast-paced classes. After nearly dropping out, I made a huge decision to move to Savannah to finish school in a new environment. Starting and running a new business is not smooth. Launching my current brand, SHEEBANGS took a year of planning and saving up. Losing my brother in 2020 was a huge struggle. I’m happy we could turn that into an art foundation. A current struggle is just taking a leap into the next idea, the next design, the next project.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I consider myself to be the modern Renaissance woman… the “queen of all trades”. I am multifaceted in all forms of art. I paint portraits that speak to the culture. I sketch fashion illustrations. I have worked on film sets as costume designer and/or special fx make up artist. I design, style, creative direct. I currently work for Christian Dior. I am learning to DJ. I just founded an art foundation, The Toney Art Foundation. I am most proud of my creative abilities and my ability to speak things into existence. All of the projects I have worked on were manifested by me. I say I want to do it, then I go get it done. Everytime. What sets me apart from other creatives is that I don’t pick a lane. Some people can say “I’m a painter” or “I’m a singer” or “I am a Chef”. I don’t have that ONE thing I do. I can do it all. While it can be overwhelming at times, I believe it’s possible. And that is why is I see myself as the modern day Renaissance woman.

What makes you happy?
Escaping makes me happy. When I am not creating, I like to getaway. Travel, eat good, pamper myself, spend time with a few friends, and forget about work/life. All of the art and fashion becomes overwhelming at times. The idea of being perfect and producing great work can consume you. So I like to escape for a moment and make sure I am enjoying life… self-care.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.sheebangs.com
• Instagram: @shee.bangs, @shopsheebangs, @toneyartfoundation

Image Credits
Photo 3. Jordan Payne (96 Studios) photo 7. Jordan Neal (Sanaa Agency) photo 8. Avanto Garde (Cam Kirk Studios)