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Life and Work with D. Ni’Cole

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Today we’d like to introduce you to D. Ni’Cole.

D. Ni’Cole, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Before I get into the story, let me explain my name. By birth, I’m De’Shundra Nicole Gibson, originally from Jackson, MS and have been a Georgia peach for almost four years now. Style by D. Ni’Cole is, of course, my first initial and middle name spelled a funky to avoid the typical “Nicole” syndrome that’s in a lot of women brand names! I create style and I build confidence. That’s how I created my brand name, which will run smooth into my store.

Back in 2013, I received my calling. It wasn’t a weird feeling or a loud voice from the sky saying, “Shundra, you’re going to be a stylist.” It was this “feeling” that felt so right and I worked within that feeling to birth a brand that I’m honestly proud of. However, I didn’t start out wanting to be a stylist. With my parent’s influence, I received my college degrees in Political Science. I had every intention of becoming a lawyer or possibly working close with a politician. However, at the age of 25, I wanted to live in my truth. Truth was, I knew I would be unhappy as a lawyer and I’d be drowning in debt. Choosing my fashion career wasn’t safe. Going to law school, racking up on more student loan debt, and living for the expectation of others is what I call “safe.” Me stepping out on faith with my fashion brand was brave to me.

At the time when I started virtual styling, there was a unique app called “Polyvore,” and it allowed me to create outfits that I couldn’t wear (I’m plus size) but wanted to because I thought the designers were dope. Unlike people, at the time, who were just publishing their creations through the app, I started putting my creations on Instagram. Boom! Influence began. It took me by surprise because I didn’t consider myself a style influencer. I was going what was feeling right to me. During that time (2014), Style by D. Ni’Cole got its start as me being a fashion influencer and virtual stylist, giving women fashion inspiration for their everyday life. The road to fashion, however, wasn’t easy.

Whenever you’re creating content for the world to see, you can get caught up in the wrong things and lose sight of why you started in the first place. Social media influence was new for me and I had no direction. I lacked the vision that was precise. It’s easy to ramble by the mouth about what you do and what you want to do, but it’s essential to have a concrete plan. It took me four years to create a successful system that allows me to not only make a living but remain influential the way I’ve been this whole time. I’m walking in my purpose styling clients, providing my monthly style subscription to my fashion audience, teaching virtual style courses, and really being able to live my dreams without compromising who I am.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Being creative is one aspect of being an artist. However, the artist needs to be business-minded as well. I’ll admit, starting out, I had no clue how to run my online platform. I was just creating content and not charging for my style services. I was extremely ignorant of the business side of styling. Here I was, 2o-something, influential, and broke. That’s like a two-piece special with hot sauce, right? Lol! I lean a lot on my faith in God, so I began to pray for help. Slowly, I started developing services within my brand that would create income for me and allow me to be more creative without the worries if bills would be paid, leave my full-time job, and finally be able to be the business owner I was destined to be.

In all honesty, trust the journey. It’s easy to say that to someone when you’re making money, getting invites to exclusive events, and people are finally getting to know your name but it’s true. I feel like people give up too easily when it comes down to their gifts. Maybe it’s the lack of support, lack of direction, lack of finances or a mixture of all three. Standing firm in what you love to do is an amazing sense of liberation. No one can do what you do and do it the way you do it. Find ways to get yourself out there with networking and linking with like-minded people who will push you to your full potential. Have faith that you’re doing what you’re supposed to and will be rewarded for it. Don’t give up.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m a fashion stylist, but my expertise is in fashion brand marketing and virtual styling. Fashion brand marketing is exciting to me because I’m able to promote fashion brands to my fashion audience. I enjoy seeing what independent fashion brands come up with and how I can help them with their sales goals. It’s rewarding. Although I love being a fashion stylist and offering my clients with that hands-on, one-on-one service in person, I absolutely love virtual styling. For me, I can bring a look to life for a client who doesn’t reside in Atlanta from my MacBook. The inspiration behind my monthly style subscription came from the clients that I was virtually styling outside of my social media platform; I offer an affordable style service with the monthly subscription and help my fashion audience develop a winning wardrobe without breaking the bank.

I’m most proud of just giving myself a chance. Do you know how powerful a human you have to be giving yourself a chance in this world that does everything to kill a person’s dream? I’m proud that I didn’t give up when I had every right to. I’m proud that I decided to make my dreams come true when I could have easily seen my dreams as a hobby, going to a 9-5 every day miserable because of fear and the fear of rejection.

What sets me apart? Me, of course. I’m not cocky or arrogant saying that. No one can do what I do and do it the way I do. That’s all me. The universe set that up and I don’t mind walking in that assignment.

Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
The future is female. I will consistently shout that to the top of my lungs until I’m buried in my grave. Why? Women are so powerful and innovative without trying. We are fierce, aren’t afraid of being told “no,” and are constantly reminded that we are just as influential and determined as our male counterparts.

Race is a touchy topic but I have to speak on it in order for me to present my truth. I’m a fashion stylist in the fashion industry, right? Ok! There isn’t enough Black/POC representation in the fashion industry from wardrobe stylists, designers, executive producers, models, etc. I believe women like me were set to reach greater heights in our industries to not only challenge racial barriers that were already in place, but also introduce new ideas and fresh perspectives that could offer jobs, opportunities, and programs geared towards expanding the Black/POC representation without alienating everyone else in fashion. I for one would love to see more women of color in bridal catalogs, runways, fashion ads, magazines, designing for fashion houses, and invited to more fashion events and exclusive social gatherings.

I’ve been told many times that “this is a man’s world,” but people forget the next line: but it would be nothing without a woman or a girl. Women shouldn’t be viewed as a threatening force but an extra source of completion. How dope would it be if more women were allowed to be themselves, taken seriously, and give the tools to be as creative and independent as they wanted to be? It would be such a lovely experience.

Pricing:

  • Virtual Styling – $650+
  • Atlanta Based Styling – $1250+
  • Monthly Subscription Service – $15.99-$69.99
  • Virtual Style Course (App Only) – $125
  • Virtual Style Course (App & Business) – $300
  • Body Type eCourse – $5
  • Fashion Brand Marketing – $1500+
  • SBDNC Apparel – $30+

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
D. Ni’Cole, Photography (brown skin model): Fred Stanton Photography, Photography (myself): Medium Production Studios, Photography (myself in black/white fur): D. Ni’Cole

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.

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