Today we’d like to introduce you to Bee The Stylist.
Bee, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always loved fashion, I never took it too serious at first because I thought it was just a hobby. I got my first job at a rinky-dink mall in MD because, by that time, I had figured out that my true path was really in fashion. That led to my first job with a designer brand. I was studying fashion on my own time and just kept at it, even harder after that. I began getting recruited by several luxury companies and always excelled as a stylist. I realized I had the skills to do it myself. So that’s exactly what I did.
Has it been a smooth road?
Not a smooth road at all. I think when you strive for great things it never is. Where I’m from, most people just dream of doing what I’m doing. Everything that I have I’ve worked for and I’m blessed to have it. I’m still young, so finances were an issue and it was distracting at times, but I pushed through and stayed focused. I taught myself everything I know about fashion and I’m able to run my own business based off of that and my clients (my Lovelies) trust my taste and opinions. Anything you see from me, I’ve organized and orchestrated. Things like that don’t come easy.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Honestly, the fashion styling industry is a fairly new one but in the next 5 years, I see the number of fashion stylists growing as well as the notoriety of the industry. I feel like the average person who’s not devoted to fashion may not be familiar with what our job entails. But stylists, along with social media exposure, have a lot to do with fashion becoming more and more popular recently for that same average person. Most celebrities use stylists and the looks we create that people love influences fashion and what people wear. A lot of the people we all know and love are “stylish” nowadays and that’s not a coincidence. As more fashion stylists and the people they style come to the limelight, the industry will grow tremendously and gain more popularity. We are the advisors, we’re behind the scenes, but just like fashion designers we have a strong hand in leading the masses.
What would you say has been the biggest challenge for you over the course of your career?
Trying to find my way as a stylist. I had to find out how to gain clients, let alone get the materials and resources I needed to start my career. No one pays attention to someone who doesn’t have anything to show. The fashion industry is one that can be very easily saturated and watered-down, so it’s a very guarded one when it comes to giving knowledge, connections, and resources. The rich history and traditions are cherished, most people don’t know true fashion, and the industry wants to keep it that way. Kind of like earning your stripes I guess. So I had to do ALOT of research, I read several books, textbooks, and articles on fashion, I joined the field, shadowed people, scouted people to be part of projects and even doing all of this it took a couple years before my business showed any promise. I had to make my own way and made personal sacrifices to get the things I needed and I took a lot of losses to build my foundation. By the grace of God, things got better from there.
What would you tell someone who is just starting out?
Do your FASHION research. Don’t be another person out here in Atlanta pushing t-shirts and bodycon dresses as real fashion. Anyone can make that, anyone can sell that. BE unique and creative. That is what allows the industry of fashion to continue to thrive today. Then you will be the one that people come to because you’ll actually know the things they want to look like they know. Also, find a mentor or someone who can give you inside tips you can’t find in text.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blovelystyling.com
- Phone: 4048539745
- Email: bthstylist@gmail.com
- Instagram: beethestylist
Image Credit:
Allen Alexandre, Gerube Valdez, Ancient Galactic Future, Dazed Arts, Bou Khan, TST Network, Hash Tag Myesha, Glam Boss Krissy, Brian K. Fuller
