Today we’d like to introduce you to Aliya Patrice.
Aliya, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My love for fashion began as a toddler {I’ve been told} while driving my Mother crazy over choosing what outfit to wear to school! Throughout my adolescent years, of course I rocked all the popular trends from platform sneakers to boot cut denim in EVERY color…all the 90’s baby! It wasn’t until I moved to Atlanta fresh out of college that I really honed in on my unique definition of personal style. I have to credit the city of Atlanta for being a welcoming home to individuals with eclectic style. I’ve never felt the need to identify with a certain “style” of fashion. I wear what my mood draws me to, what compliments my body type, and what I feel most confident in.
I believe this way of translating personal style is what has drawn my clients to me over the years. I started out styling family and friends, doing wardrobe makeovers and dressing them during shopping trips. Word of mouth did its job…and before I knew it I was forced to figure out the whole business aspect of being a Wardrobe Stylist and offering services to a steady pace of clients. Then came the need to brand and market myself locally. I realized that to keep my styling business fresh and relevant in the world of social media I needed a constant voice. This idea three years ago birthed my fashion + beauty + lifestyle blog, ‘Vision Of A Stylist’.
When it comes to my blog content, I thrive on positively influencing the way my clients and followers feel about their image through injecting a renewed sense of style into their lives! I share fashion inspiration, style & beauty tips, and little tidbits into my personal life that may empower or motivate my readers. In addition to personal styling, I’m a Digital Content Creator and Social Media Influencer which brings a wealth of collaborations with local, national and international brands!
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, and to be quite honest…there will ALWAYS be bumps in the road throughout your entire journey as a female entrepreneur! In the past I’ve been taken advantage of by clients in terms of service and payment. As a woman with a whole career in another field and a family, I’ve often struggled with not having the capacity to take on every creative business opportunity that has come my way. It’s all a part of the balancing act required to defy traditional gender roles!
For a young woman just starting her journey, I would say create a solid business structure and stick to your guns! Always be open to learn and grow, but never underestimate {or allow anyone else to} your skills and talent. Pursue a mentor that’s already perfected your same craft, and get all of the relevant education/certifications available to you under your belt. The more prepared you are for the real world of entrepreneurship the more successful you will be!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Aliya Patrice Consulting story. Tell us more about the business.
Being a Wardrobe Stylist almost feels like being a Life Coach to some degree! I get to positively influence the way a woman feels about herself and her image, which is hands down the most rewarding part of the job. This process brews increased confidence, personality, and new opportunities. I’m really just so blessed to be a part of each individual makeover outcome.
My services are setup a la carte style to allow my clients to create packages that are customized to their specific needs. The “Wardrobe Edit” includes a visit to my clients home to evaluate her current wardrobe. Next there’s the “Personal Shopping” event in which I pre-shop for her and then she arrive to a stress-free shopping and fitting experience to gain those essential pieces that are missing from her wardrobe. Lastly, the “Wardrobe Styling” process reconvenes back at her home where we piece together new and improved outfits, and an e-Lookbook is created and delivered to make sure that getting dressed in the morning is a piece of cake! I also offer virtual styling and event styling services.
I’m definitely known for my Wardrobe Edit, also known as a closet revamp or makeover. This may sound like an intimidating and daunting task to some, but it is actually a super fun experience! My clients and I always have a blast working through their wardrobe together! First, we talk through each and every item in the closet and determine whether it stays or gets purged. While this is going on several other things are happening simultaneously…her closet is being reorganized to make items more accessible from a visual perspective, she is gaining an abundance of style tips and advice as we discuss each piece, and I am learning her style preferences as we work to curate her perfect wardrobe!
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
I believe the biggest barriers to female leadership in general are lack of opportunity and unequal pay in comparison to male counterparts. In the U.S., women are still paid only 80 cents to every dollar paid to men in the same positions– and for women of color the wage gap is even larger. This is why entrepreneurship is crucial for us to be able to accomplish. Then we are able to set our own terms, create our own opportunities, and there is no glass ceiling!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aliyapatrice.com
- Email: aliyapatrice@gmail.com
- Instagram: @aliyapatrice
- Facebook: @aliyapconsulting
- Twitter: @thestyledecree
Image Credit:
Morgan Hayes Photography
Gossett Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
