Meet Shaniqua J of Simplicityxstyle

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaniqua J.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started my journey into fashion as a career roughly around 2013. Although I was a nursing major in school, I’ve always had a thing for fashion since a kid. It all kind of just happened for me. I would be at work on my lunch break taking photos in the parking lot. I finally bought myself a DSLR camera in 2014 with a tripod. I began taking photos of outfits I would wear outside of work, and posting those photos on Instagram. People started to follow my social media, and my audience began to grow from there.

At this point my only “styling” experience was dressing my co-workers when they would ask and my friends. I bought my second DSLR camera, and quickly became a makeshift photographer until I started working with professional photographers. That’s when the styling actually started to pick up for me. I would get asked to come in on shoots and provide creative direction, and wardrobe. Without having any real styling experience, I jumped in and and did it. The networking began at this point and I didn’t even realize it. I was just doing something that I loved so it didn’t feel like work at all. As my social media presence started to grow, I not only got more involved in wardrobe styling but I also tapped into the “influencer” space before it was actually a real thing. Brands admired the way I marketed myself, although I didn’t see it as marketing back then.

It actually took me a while to realize what I was doing was work outside of styling. Fast forward to present time, I am a lot more versed in both worlds. My styling career has progressed and I am so thankful for that. The road hasn’t always been smooth. I’ve had the pleasure to work with label artist such as 22gz on Atlantic records, Stunna Girl on Epic records, 4ternity on Island records just to name a few. I’ve even assisted other stylist on sets because you can never stop learning.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It absolutely has not been a smooth road lol, but I don’t think any real life journey is smooth all the way through. The struggles for everyone will be different of course. From the styling point of view, not having the notoriety can prove to be a challenge when you want to get access to showrooms and provide certain items for your clients. Its either the showrooms don’t know you or your client, and sometimes both lol. I remember when I first started I didn’t know where to get clothing from. I used some of my own pieces and headed to the department stores to… you’ve guessed it buy and return. Lack of knowledge of course. As I started assisting I started to learn the ropes. I learned how to utilized these same dept stores but the right way. Also getting people to respect what you do as a job. So many people look at it as just getting clothes, or playing dress up. They couldn’t be more wrong about that. Having a person who some may see as “Stylish” doesn’t necessarily mean that they can dress you. Dressing people other than yourself is very different, and not as easy as some may think.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Simplicityxstyle – what should we know?
Simplicityxstyle which reads “Simplicity & Style” is pretty much the social media jacket for Shaniqua J. Stylist, creative director, entrepreneur all wrapped in one. What I feel separates me from others is my eye. I want for my clients what I want for myself, true style identity. I always feel if someone posted a photo of you with your head cut off, people should still be able to identify that its you. What I am most proud of is my resilience. I haven’t always made the best choices in life and struggled with finding my place, but I’m here and thriving and that alone amazes me everyday. I recently jumped into my entrepreneur bag and you guys are actually the first to hear about it lol. I’m working on my new brand SAS STUDIO. Which will be for the boyish and classy cool. I’m exited about it. I can’t say too much but its on the way!

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The characteristic I feel that is most important to my success is my humility. I can not stress enough how important it is to remain teachable.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://simplicityxstyle.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplicityxstyle/

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