Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Anusiem.
Hi Danielle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Danielle Anusiem, otherwise known as Danielle Divine, is a fashion stylist, entrepreneur and former celebrity makeup artist who has worked with award-winning artists Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp and Israel Houghton. Her work has been featured in Essence Magazine for the Kingsmen Tour and actress LisaRaye McCoy relied on her expert hand during the filming of her 2012 movie, The Promise.
Long before the self-taught artist was transforming celebrities for TV shows and magazines, she was a journalist and broadcaster, hosting radio talk shows in her native, Bahamas. The Clark Atlanta University grad was in the throes of pursuing her childhood dream of being a primetime TV anchor when she got bitten by the fashion bug. The mom-of-two’s unique style, coupled with her daring fashion choices, led her to found Kalico Bay – a first-of-its-kind bespoke styling salon for children. Her ability to create from-scratch accessories that coordinated perfectly with each ensemble earned her a loyal fanbase both in The Bahamas, and the US.
Soon after, corporate moms and housewives started requesting Danielle’s styling services to stretch beyond their kids. The brand then began offering modest selections for women and men. Danielle continues to set herself apart, as her precise execution delivers consistent luxury level designs to her elite clientele. Apart from her entrepreneurial pursuits, Danielle is currently on the leadership team of a burgeoning women’s brand that is expanding throughout the United States and prides itself on helping women to move forward in their lives, and in their everyday fashion.
Since launching her international fashion retail and personal styling operation, Danielle has been featured on Roland Martin’s daily digital show, Roland Martin Unfiltered, and has collaborated with a host of international models, musicians and actors. Now, with an office based in Snellville, GA, Danielle has set her sights on costume designing for upcoming TV and film projects and fashion commentating.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The word smooth has no place in my experience! Lol. Have there been moments and opportunities where things fell flawlessly into place? Absolutely! But due to the fact that much of what I have experienced professionally has been either self taught, in born or due to me observing the execution of those before me, and attempting to build on their encounters, there have been countless struggles and obstacles. However, entrepreneurship is a deeply rooted concept in my lineage, particularly on the maternal side of my family. My maternal great grandfather was a shop owner and serial entrepreneur in every sense, while my maternal great grandmother was a fabulous seamstress and homemaker. My parents are also both extremely talented and skilled individuals in their own right, and so I have grown to see that so much of what has inspired my hustle and creativity is directly in the bloodline…from entrepreneurship to fashion.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work can sometimes be expansive, because I wear so many hats at times. One of my clients once referred to me as a “Renaissance Woman” and I had to pause and Google that, because I needed to absorb what that title meant. When I saw Renaissance Woman defined as:
“a person with many talents or areas of knowledge.” I felt comfortable embracing that. I have and can work seamlessly in radio or television broadcasting and do hope to return to that discipline in some way soon, but in the realm of fashion. I also work in fashion as not only a fashion stylist, personal shopper, and creative director, but I am also a gifted costumer. I believe pinpointing what I am best known for is determined by who you ask specifically. If you were to ask my church community, perhaps they would say public speaking, MC-ing and fashion, if you were to ask my daytime colleagues and wardrobe styling clients, they may say I shine in the area of customer experience and I am a creative and unique fashion stylist, who makes everyone feel valued and meets them where they are, but finds ways to push them out of their usual comfort zones. I believe allowing my clients to see themselves in ways they didn’t think possible is what I am most proud of daily.
How do you think about luck?
I prefer not to divi my experiences up to good or bad luck. I’m a sincere and practicing Christian, and I’m more of the mindset that all things are ordained. It is either blessed by God or it’s not. And the decisions I have made in my personal and professional life are usually brought before God first for approval. So luck has it’s place, but this has been more of a divine experience and fulfillment for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.danielledivinestyle.com
- Instagram: stylist_daniedivine
- Facebook: Danielle Divine House of Style
Image Credits
Photographer for ALL images:
Gianne Demeritte of G. Demeritte Photography
