everywoman’s Post

Do you believe you have to own certain things or dress in a certain way once you've "made it"? You wouldn't believe the number of high-level women who tell me they feel the pressure to fit into a certain "persona" once they hit a certain level in their career or company, along with the objects of success to prove it. For example, one woman who had reached a director level in a very large financial institution was at an exclusive event, where another woman told her these were the things she now needed to have: red lipstick, a cashmere pashmina, a Louis Vuitton bag and black Louboutin heels. She confessed to me that she was going to have to "up her game" when it came to her special occasion dressing for all the luncheons she would now be attending, for fear of repeating an outfit twice. Another woman shared that every 7-figure women-owned business event she attended everyone "looked the same." A certain type of clothing, designer handbags, driving expensive cars, etc. I've come face to face with this pressure as a stylist, assuming that I had to dress in a certain way, or own certain designer brands to fit in or be worth my salt. The pressure feels real and we can work ourselves into a tizzy trying to keep up. The problem with fitting in is what do you lose in the process? I'm all for buying that LV bag to reward yourself, but only if it's something you really love and want to own. The danger comes in trying to emulate everyone else around you, believing that will surely make you fit in, all while getting farther away from our true selves (the ones who got us to this exact place!). Here's the irony, all our striving to fit in may make us feel more a part of the crowed, but it's standing out in our dress that actually communicates our power and confidence. An Harvard Business Review report showed that straying from standard dress code can help you appear more confident and competent, as it signifies a higher level of autonomy and control. As for me, I'll take autonomy and competence and confidence any day over a sea of sameness. #capsulewardrobe #personalstyle #style #stylist #workstyle #personalbranding #marketing #entrepreneur #publicspeaking

Let's take a second to talk about some seriously iconic people who've changed the fashion game. We're talking about those iconic black models who've rocked the runway. First off, let's talk about Naomi Campbell. She's the queen of the catwalk! Naomi's got this amazing vibe and confidence that's inspired tons of other models. She's not just a model, she's a trendsetter, showing girls everywhere that they can own their unique style and go after their dreams. 💃👑 Then there's Tyra Banks. You've probably seen her on the covers of all the top magazines and strutting her stuff on the Victoria's Secret runway. Tyra's all about breaking barriers and showing that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors. With her pretty smile and unstoppable attitude, she's proved that anything is possible. 💁♀️💋 And let's not forget about Beverly Johnson. She was the first black model to ever grace the cover of American Vogue, which is epic. Beverly's grace and elegance changed the game and made space for tons of other models of color to shine. She's a trailblazer, and her impact on the fashion world is huge. 🌹💫 So here's to Naomi, Tyra, Beverly, and all the other models of color out there. They've made the fashion world way more inclusive and diverse, and that's something to celebrate. Let's keep spreading the love and embracing everyone's unique beauty! 🙌👏 #FashionIcons #BlackModels #Trailblazers #DiversityRocks #BeautyGoals #Inspiration #Legends #FashionForward #Inclusivity #Empowerment #RoleModels #FashionFaves #RepresentationMatters #Changemakers #StylishStars 🌟💃

So begins a new chapter….

I got my first big client because of the color of my dress. I'm serious Back in the day, when I wanted to become a stylist, I was told network network network. So, outside of sending a million emails a day, I attended parties hoping to meet more people from the fashion industry. Every time I chose to wear black to: - blend in - because I am an introvert - to stay safe I was standing in a corner of the room, hoping someone would say hi. No one did! So the next time I attended an event, I wore a bright blue dress! It was one of my favorite pieces in my closet. I immediately heard: " omg, I love your dress; where did you get it?" "What an amazing color. It looks great on you." That night, I met so many amazing women. One of them became my first client! I didn't have to say anything; my clothes did it for me. Remember that your outfit can be your silent introduction to success, as my bright blue dress did for me. -------------- If you are ready to refine your personal style and brand identity, feel confident, and attract career opportunities, schedlue a call. Link in the comments! #personalstyle #personalbrand #corporate #womancorporate #womanentrepreneur

According to J.P. Morgan, Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs and there’s no end in sight. If you know me, you know I love supporting Black businesses and brands. VONTELLE is a luxury bespoke eyewear brand with an ethnic flair using unique African, Caribbean, and Latin print designs and textiles created by women of color. The luxury eyewear market is dominated by European brands, so it’s been refreshing to don a pair of Vontélle eyewear that are handcrafted and made for diverse faces. Their eyewear includes wider bridges for the nose, longer temples so there’s no pain behind the ears, and larger lenses for high cheekbones so every pair fits comfortably on the face. Even better, Vontélle is the first Black women-owned and operated eyewear company to obtain a licensing agreement from Nickelodeon. This brand is changing the narrative of who stylish eyewear is made for and putting Black and brown people’s unique physical characteristics and culture front and center in their designs. #blackbrands #blackhistorymonth #womanownedbrands #DEI #NikaWhiteConsulting

While working with the team at Wyn Beauty, I noticed key differences on set that demonstrated a standard of behavior I believe companies within the beauty and fashion industries should hold themselves too. It's no surprise that a Black woman-owned company, founded by none other than Serena Williams, managed to avoid common pitfalls experienced by brands that adopt DEI narratives as a marketing tool in lieu of having an intrinsic commitment towards inclusivity. In this narrative essay published by Essence, I discussed positive on-set behavior and highlighted a missing perspective in the conversation when we discuss corporate ethos in the beauty/fashion realm - the perspective of models and our intimate preliminary experiences with brands and their new products. "Models have a unique and intimate experience with brands that the average consumer or press don’t. We often have the first outside interaction with beauty products or apparel, and we work closely with corporate teams. We can candidly observe whether or not a brand is true to what they sell, whether that be products or messaging. Nevertheless, our perspective often goes unmentioned when discussing a brand’s corporate social governance or ESG – environmental, social, and governance. After all, we’re just models." Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eR9peyXX #beauty #cosmetics #models

"Bobbi Brown: The Enduring Icon of Beauty and Business! Discover how this beauty mogul continues to redefine the industry at 66 and find out her secret to success. #BobbiBrown #BeautyIcon #JonesRoadBeauty"