Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel Neal.
Hi Angel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Most people know me as Angel The Stylist. After graduating from FAMU I moved to NYC with a $1 and a dream. Cliché, right? I know, but after interning with celebrity stylists from Thomas Faison professional celebrity styling agency and freelancing for KarenCivil.com, TheNext2Shine.com and other publications I knew it was time to step out on my own. I launched my own professional styling career, I wanna say back in 2012 in my first two years, I was able to land a styling gig for the Grammys red carpet, work with Rihanna, Kanye West, and the NFL. Shortly after that, I landed a fashion assistant position at Cosmopolitan for Latinas Magazine. After Hearst decided they wanted to shut the publication down, I started working on a business plan to incorporate my love for editorial styling and celebrity styling and with the help of a supportive friend Ariel, pushing me to think big I launched Disrupshion Magazine in NYC. Disrupshion serves as a platform for the shapeshifters in fashion, beauty and entertainment to utilize to inspire and disrupt the fashion industry their way. Disrupshion is a print and digital publication that ships globally and it’s continuing to grow and exceed my expectations. Next year will be the five years anniversary and I can’t wait to celebrate it. So because of a lot of hard work, some necessary “Kanye” confidence and focus, I am where I am today.
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?
Working in fashion, smooth? That’s funny. In my earlier career path it was a struggle trying to balance unpaid intern work and working two jobs because my NYC rent wasn’t going to pay itself. In addition to that any type of fashion styling especially celebrity wardrobe styling everyone knows it’s such a competitive field. Everyone wants to do it. So I had to really build my brand from ground up in order to stand out. People love to glamorize this career but they forget the long hours on set, the time away from family or even a significant other. It’s so much more than just putting someone in an outfit. As far as my struggles with Disrupshion. Right now, everybody is so stuck on what’s the following count. I recently ran into a celebrity out in LA, his PR had reached out to me for a cover placement and he told me to my face if your publication does not have basically like 30k or higher, I’m not interested. Now I’m an artist and I’m sensitive about my shi*+, lol I say that to say I struggle sometimes with getting people to see the bigger picture Disrupshion is here to give people that look like me a Seat at the Table. Also financially, I’d love to have some monetary investors and supporters in the near future. I pay for everything out of pocket and that’s something I’m struggling with, it can be overwhelming for me. Everyone thinks I have all this money. I don’t have the answers Sway.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
It’s funny when people ask me what I do, I always say I do whatever it takes. I stand by that. I’m a woman who wears many hats. I’m the Founder and Creative Director of Disrupshion Magazine, Disrupshion Next Gen Magazine, Shop Disrupshion and I recently just launched Disrupshion Amour Studios in Tampa, Florida. I travel almost every week between ATL, NYC, LA and Tampa for work constantly. I specialize in celebrity wardrobe styling and bringing the best out of others by providing a platform such as Disrupshion. I’m most proud of this year completing one of my goals by releasing my first coffee table book “Disrupshion Editorials: The Faces of Fashion Through Our Lens,” available on DisrupshionMag.com & Blurb Bookstore. It’s a beautiful book definitely a collectors item for anyone who loves fashion. In addition to that I’m proud of my internship program with Disrupshion Magazine. I learn from my interns daily and I’m glad to be able to be a mentor to others. This is, I believe my third year and I’ve had over 60 interns. Someone helped me on my journey so I’m definitely gonna pay it forth for the future fashion Disruptors.
What makes you happy?
Beyonce and Drake. All jokes aside, having a purpose makes me happy. I know I was blessed with talents but bringing out the best in others really makes me happy and inspired. Providing a platform that offers representation in fashion and publishing for people that look like me. Having my boyfriend and my family supports my dreams makes me happy. Being able to wake up healthy, inspired and conquering goals daily is the root of my happiness. We should all aim to wake up and do what we love, life is short.
Pricing:
- Wardrobe Styling $600+
- Magazines $20+
- Shop Disrupshion $6-$150
Contact Info:
- Email: DisrupshionMag@gmail.com
- Website: Www.DisrupshionMag.com
- Instagram: @angel_stylistbehavior / @DisrupshionMag
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCnwgPljxXKxQ-Xb3My8V09A
Image Credits:
My personal photo: Sierra Carter Purple Dress: @islandboiphotography Kyla Pratt Pink dress: @mdanielsphoto Pink Sierra dress cover: @leslieandrewsphoto
