WRITTEN BY SHARRA GREENE & PHOTOS BY LAURENCE JAMES
So, this past weekend, I attended the well-anticipated Convos With Claire fashion networking mixer. I’m pretty sure most know who trailblazing fashion media maven Claire Sulmers is (especially if you follow posts on here because she’s my role model) , but for those of you who don’t know, Claire is the founder and editor in Chief of Fashion Bomb Daily, one of the world’s most influential fashion websites. She also maintains her own lifestyle blog called The Bomb Life, while serving as an influencer and brand ambassador for the likes of Verizon, Martini & Rossi, and more.
I finally met Claire during fashion week back in September, so I was definitely excited to link with her again! At her mixers, Claire is known for bringing together the stylish and ambitious discuss various topics in fashion and business with some of the industry’s best. For this particular event, Claire brought out a star studded panel to drop gems on us, at the Flat NYC on 24th Street. Panelists included Celebrity Stylist, Designer, Instructor, and Global Creative Partner of MCM, Misa Hylton, Television Personality & Entrepreneur Bevy Smith, and Designer and Furrier to your celeb faves, Duckie Confetti. The event’s theme was animal print.
Starting with a BOMB VIP Brunch and red carpet welcome featuring DJ JFK, the atmosphere was intriguing and inviting as fashion creatives settled in to vibe and shop. Claire typically uses her events to bring awareness to dope brands that many may not be familiar with already. Vendors included: Black Tag Apparel, Mess in a Bottle, Nroda Sunglasses, Red Eye Luxe, Boutte Rouge Boutique, Yvonne Jewnell, LaMonique Cosmetics, and Vanity Storm.
I instantly connected with a few fellow bloggers as we helped each other flick it up while bouncing our creative ideas off of each other. Not long after, the panel began as my photographer arrived to help me get content. I literally gained so much knowledge and insight but a few of my main takeaways included…
“MAKE STRATEGIC MOVES WITHIN YOUR BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS THAT WILL LATER ON BE PROFITABLE IN THE LONG TERM” -via DUCKIE CONFETTI
Talking about doing “work for free”, so to speak, is often a topic that is considered almost taboo in the fashion industry. As fashionistas questioned what type of “free” work was the right move, Duckie gave insight on how he strategizes when it comes to this. He shared how he gave Meek Mill’s stylist a leopard sleeve hoodie free of charge, knowing that seeing the very well known rapper in his merch would influence people to shop (he was right, this one move alone made him 6 figures). He stressed to us the importance of making sacrifices for your brand that will likely have a high upside, financially.
“THE STRUGGLE IS GOOD FOR YOU, IT GIVES YOU CONFIDENCE, SUBSTANCE & GRIT!”- via BEVY SMITH
Though Bevy is now a very well established professional, she shared how there was a 7 year era where she would have to “go out and hunt and kill” for work. She stressed how though this was one of the most difficult times of her life, it was the time in her life that built her character the most. Bevy encouraged those on the quest to manifest big dreams to not be in the rush for “success” or “stardom” and to embrace their current struggles because quite often the struggle itself is what’s propelling you toward the life you dream about.
“YOUR VISION IS CLEAR, NOW JUST CONTINUE TO EXECUTE” - via MISA HYLTON
Upon me asking iconic stylist Misa Hylton what moves I should make to continuously set me apart in my craft, she asked what makes me unique. Once I told her how it’s my passion for who my clients truly are and using that to create looks that speak to their highest self, she reassured me how clear my individuality already is.
Misa shared how it took her a while to gain confidence as a stylist being that she first got into the business with her then boyfriend. But it took for her to keep going after they ended to really recognize who she was and what she wanted to achieve as a stylist. She let me know that from here on out, its all about using the knowledge I gain from each experience to move forward and do what works for me because the path for everyone is not the same.
“KEEP GOING, YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU’RE POSITIVELY INFLUENCING “ - via CLAIRE SULMERS
While sharing with us how she felt so close to giving up lately due to the challenges that Fashion Bomb Daily had been facing as a business, she simply didn’t. She got emotional looking at the AMAZING turn out of the event, saying that was just what she needed to reassure her that she was doing something right. She inspired us to keep going because we never know who we’re motivating and influencing. The mixer’s turn out was living proof of that!
After a little more networking and connecting, I left the event SO ready to execute on the new insight. It’s crazy because this past week, I hadn’t been feeling well at all. A couple days before leaving for the event, I came down with the worst cold I’ve had in a while so I was feeling so drained. Honestly, as excited as I was for the meet up, the last thing I felt like doing was going out. But this weekend definitely taught me that you never know what blessings and great opportunities you give up when you only focus on what you feel like doing.
I wanna encourage you to also push past your comfort zone, even when you may not feel like it. Take time to invest in your craft and don’t be afraid to seek out experiences that will contribute to your growth!
Shop My Look: I am wearing a snake print mock neck top and faux fur coat from Boohoo, Missguided burgundy wrap faux suede mini skirt, Miss Lola thigh high boots, House of Rehab bag, and Forever 21 drop earrings.
Sharra,
“The definition of walking art.”
P.S. There will be many more Convos With Claire meet ups for those who wanna attend in the future! Keep your eyes peeled on the @convoswithclaire Instagram page and Fashion Bomb Daily.
Want more recap content? Check out this recap on Style With Sharra: The Podcast Series.