What inspired you to apply for the "Celebrating Fashion Future" program?
Upon learning about the Celebrating Fashions Future program, I immediately saw the immense value and experience from participating in the program. Steve Madden being such an influential figure in retail and fashion made me sure to apply. As someone who wants a career in the creative side fashion i was eager to see how Steve madden works internally as well as showcase my creative talent through my capstone project. I think everyone interested in fashion or retail as a career should do this program.
What drives you? Share your passions, values, or a defining experience that shaped who you are today.
I'm driven by making myself and my family proud. I refuse to be average and I refuse to live a life that isn't everything I dreamed of. While my parents did a good job providing for my brother and I, I want to elevate my family to a new level of success. I want to become a master of my craft. Finding my passion as a stylist has propeled my motivation. While I've always been ambitious for a long time I wasnt sure what I wanted to do as a career that would make me happy and fulfilled. Now that I've discovered my passion and natural talent for styling and fashion in general, I will do everything I can to make my dream of making a living off of my passion and talent a reality.
How do you see yourself as part of Fashion's future?
As a stylist I see myself shaping the future of fashion. I will be the one creating trends by styling celebrities and hosting my own runway events I will always be sure to be creative and fashion forward. I like doing things that I've never seen before, and as I keep progressing I hope to keep finding unique inspirations from the world outside of fashion. As a young black man I am also aware of the influence that our culture has on the industry, so regardless I am fashions future.
How does your campus Black Retail Action Group (BRAG) create community and opportunity for students?
BRAG creates community and opportunity for students in many ways. Starting with community, brag brings people interested in a career of fashion or retail together. Creating many strong friendships that blossomed during CFF. Brag also creates a lot of opportunity for students, we got the privilege of learning the ins and out of retail. As well as connecting with those with first hand experience in the industry.
How has attending an HBCU set you up for success?
Going to an HBCU is the best decision I've ever made. Learning culturally relevant pedagogy has been essential to my development in my major of political science. For fashion I feel like there is no better place to be than Howard. There are so many talented creative people and ample opportunities to grow and collaborate as a creative. From the fashion shows for springfest and homecoming to the creative organizations on campus theres opportunity for everyone to get involved in the fashion space. Being at Howard has helped me grow so much as a stylist and I'm very appreciative.
