Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Bennett
Hi Taylor, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
TFB started off as a mere dream in high school. I launched a shoe brand called Posh Girls USA when I was a senior, full of dreams of being a fashion influencer with a great brand, loads of followers, and amazing reviews. But that dream lacked substance. Now, with a sustainable-focused magazine, I can see that back then, I wasn’t thinking about being a conscious producer at all—I honestly had no idea what that meant in 2019. I never paid attention to it. That was my first fault. The second was that I wasn’t allowing myself to get creative with my designs; I just wanted to sell anything, regardless of whether I thought it looked good or not. Honestly, Posh Girls USA was a mirror of how I treated my journey in life at the time—everything was rushed, as you’d expect from a freshly 17-year-old girl still in high school.
After that, I closed down Posh Girls USA and began a new venture. After graduation, I skipped college because I wasn’t inspired to go, and I moved to Los Angeles, California, with my mom. In LA, I saw everything senior-year-me dreamed of and more! I was still 17, turning 18, and my brain was swirling with creative ideas. I dreamt up an herbal pharmacy company, which never made it off the pages of my manifestation journal. Then, after meeting many of my celebrity idols, including Willow Smith, I landed a Styling/PR showroom internship at TATA PR in Beverly Hills. There, I learned the ins and outs of this side of the fashion industry. I would often handle filing paperwork for the stylists’ picks, help stylists pull from the showroom to create cohesive looks, organize showroom picks, and run them to the stylists on set!
I quickly learned that I loved the PR and styling side of fashion, and through meeting amazing talents like Katie Qian, who has dressed artists like Tyla and Conan Gray, and Jill Vincent, who has dressed Tyler Posey and Jordyn Woods, I knew I was on the right path. From there, I took a leap of faith and reached out to Creative Director & Editorial Photographer Ian Dooley, aka SadSwim, who has worked on projects like Kat Von D, Dolls Kill, OUT Magazine, and many more amazing projects. Ian responded to me and worked with me on my first solo shoot at Dolls Kill Studio as a stylist and creative director. To say I knew what I was doing would be a stretch, but after that shoot, Ian became a friend and creative mentor, giving me the confidence I needed to continue my journey.
Ian and I did many other shoots together, and I even went to NYC with my friends to shoot with one of my favorite photographers out there, Natalie Jane Photos. I was really getting the hang of the stylist/creative director role, so much so that I started thinking, ‘How do I turn this into a business?’ After many talks with Ian and my amazing friend, now social media manager of TFB, Ajiri Olobor, the light bulb hit! I wanted to create a global creative consulting agency!
Then, my mom and I decided to move to Amsterdam, Netherlands, to experience life outside of the U.S. While there, I started curating my U.S. creative team for something bigger than I ever imagined. My creative muse and good friend, Sarah Litvak, introduced me to my main Atlanta editorial team photographer, Hanna Middleton, aka Hanna Mid Photos, and it was magic! We began creating together and brainstorming different ideas. One day, we got on the topic of the creative consulting agency I was in the process of building, but with all the content in my portfolio, I felt stumped about what to do next. That’s when Hanna said, ‘Why don’t you make a picture book?’ The light bulb went off again, and I shouted, ‘A magazine! Oh my gosh, Hanna, you’re a genius!’
After that summer in 2023, everything grew. TFB Magazine began to take shape, and thanks to our amazing team of contributors for Issue 01 (on our Amsterdam Team | Alia Ayoubi – Journalist/Lead Editor, Emily Cooper – Journalist, Mathilde Terrasse aka Openneverempty on Graphic Design – on our Atlanta Team | Hanna Middleton – Editorial Photographer, Victoria Ruiz – Stylist/Creative Director, Gigi Gallagher – Stylist/Creative Director), we have now been sold at Factor’s Collection in Little Five Points, Atlanta, Athenaeum Nieuwscentrum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Revive Haarlem in Haarlem, Netherlands!
TFB also has a TFB Studios branch that we use for our creative consulting agency and independent publication house. We represent all the contributors who work on our magazine, showcasing their talents to potential employers. We also publish other magazines, and we hope to continue helping creatives around the world find their own light bulb moment, just like I did! That is the story of TFB Magazine and this is just the beginning!
Alright, 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?
As I mentioned earlier, it was definitely not an easy road. I chose not to go to college, which already put me at a disadvantage in a lot of sectors of the fashion industry. Fashion is all about who you know, and my mother works in tech, so I didn’t have an easy way of getting my foot in the door. There were so many internships that wouldn’t accept me because I wasn’t a fashion major, and a lot of people on the PR side of things get in because their school vouches for them. I didn’t have that. Luckily, TATA PR gave me a chance, and it truly paid off!
Another challenge was the fact that my mom is a single mother. If I wasn’t working a good-paying job while trying to make it in fashion, we had to rely solely on her income. She’s a very successful tech Agile Consultant, so we never had to worry too much about money running low, she helped me set up my business and motivated me—but that’s where her help ended. I had to navigate the fashion industry on my own. Like every good success story, there were struggles. People questioned whether I knew what I was doing, if I was making money, and if my numbers were even suitable for a magazine. But despite the doubts, I’ve always allowed myself to flow with faith, knowing that my magazine and company are growing at their own divine pace.
I’m so grateful to even have this opportunity, and I have amazing support from my friends and family. So, I trust in the process and keep pushing forward.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’d love to share more about what we do at TFB! We are a creative consulting firm, production studio, and independent publication house, dedicated to bridging the gap of creativity between the U.S. and the EU. Our mission is to redefine fashion & design media and consulting by curating compelling narratives that celebrate sustainability, creativity, diversity, and innovation. Through TFB Magazine and our bespoke production services, we empower brands and creatives to tell their stories authentically, while fostering personal connections and professional pursuits. At TFB, every creative has a bold story to share.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how TFB Magazine has grown into a bi-continental humanitarian magazine, with creativity at its core. Issue 02 has been a huge milestone for us, as we continue to highlight sustainable brands, creatives, and humanitarian organizations, using our platform to bring people together. Humanity is at the heart of everything we do—there is no creativity without humanity—and we’re excited to keep playing our part in uplifting humanity through both our creative services and our publication.
What sets us apart is our focus on intentionality. We don’t just follow trends; we create work that’s deeply rooted in purpose. Our brand tone is grounded in what we call the three I’s: Inclusive, Inviting, and Informative. We ensure that all voices are heard and valued, with inclusivity at the heart of our platform. We embrace diverse perspectives and art forms with a welcoming attitude, making sure that everyone in our community feels empowered to contribute and thrive. Beyond that, we aim to raise awareness about sustainable living practices and the importance of creativity in driving positive change.
I’m also proud of our growth as a team. From working with some incredible contributors to now being sold in stores across Atlanta, Amsterdam, and Haarlem, we’ve come a long way. But more than just the sales or exposure, I’m proud that we’ve created a platform that’s about much more than fashion—it’s about building a global creative community that uplifts and inspires.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Yes I personally and professionally have learned many lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis but the most Important lesson I learned from it was that change is a necessary good in everyones life. Without change you cannot grow, without growth you cannot live.
Pricing:
- Advertisements: 50-200 Euro / Dollars depending on the size
- Magazine Prices range from: 20-35 Euro/Dollars
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tfbfashion.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tfbmag/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@tfbmag
Image Credits
Pavlo – @Pbaginskiy on Instagram
Rachel Tomsche – @tomschephoto on Instagram
