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WHAT PERSONAL STYLE MEANS TO ME + 5 INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN MY NETWORK

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CURATED BY SHARRA GREENE

Working with women on their personal style has taught me so much about how deeply… personal it really is. It truly holds a different meaning to everyone individually. I’m constantly seeking new ways to connect with others in a way that makes fashion and style a tailored experience for them. So, I decided to ask myself, and 5 powerful women that I know, “What does personal style mean to you?” Here’s what we said… I’ll go first!

“Anyone who’s known me for years, knows that I’ve gone through SO MANY different phases within my style. As my work has changed, as my ideals have changed, and as my confidence has changed, my style has changed with it every single time. But I’m forever inspired by that versatility, and I do my best to encourage that same versatility and freedom to explore, with every woman I style…. personal style, to me, means embracing the complexity of who we are as ever-evolving individuals. It means allowing yourself to explore different worlds through a well-intentioned look, and allowing your confidence, poise, and attitude to be positively impacted by what you’re wearing… it’s about being intentional, but leaving room for fun and mystery.” - Sharra

Sharra Greene

Womenswear Fashion Stylist | Creator

@styledbysharra

“Knowing myself is a huge indicator. There are some things I just won’t wear no matter how hot the trend is -like bodysuits for example. Then other items like a chic blazer jacket, is my go-to staple. I’ve grown to realize style is about dressing for your own good, because what may look good on the next woman may not flatter my figure (and I’m okay with that)” - Taylar

Taylar Broadnax

Fashion Storyteller | Online Magazine Contributor

@taylar.chanell

“For me, I feel like personal style has been an ever changing concept in my life. When I first really tapped into what I feel is my style, it was always about dressing in a way that made me feel confident, but in a way that also complimented my body. So, it’s always been about that but now, with me being a 30 year old, it’s completely different. There’s a lot more sex appeal that I have now, and a lot more confidence, and I’m really trying to exude that through my clothing, meaning that I want to feel powerful when I put on clothes. I wanna feel like I’m walking out, and I feel like that bitch. So, I feel like personal style ultimately is a reflection of not only who you are, but ultimately who you want to be, because it changes over time, and you can change your mind, whenever the f*ck you want.” - Court

Court Kim

Journalist | Model | Creative

@thecourtkim

“My personal style is a direct reflection of the things I’ve grown to love about myself . My sense of personal expression has come from years of self doubt turned into undeniable confidence. I was embarrassed of my culture , now that’s why I rock headwraps and Afrocentric designs . I hated being so petite , so now I rock oversized clothes for fun…it took years to get here!” -Tene’A

“I credit my mom for helping me establish my personal style. I've always been into fashion as early as 6 or 7 years old and my mom would never discourage me from wearing something; Even if she hated it lol. That gave me the confidence I have today to express myself through style.” -Ashlee

Ashlee Jackson

CEO & Designer of House of Rehab

@ashleemademedoit | @houseofrehab

“Style makes me feel like my most authentic self. Whether I’m wearing something edgy or elegant. I like to express myself, whether I’m having a bad day or a bomb ass day. I feel like the person I’m destined to be and I put my best self forward.” - Nioby

Nioby Scarbrough

Fashion, Lifestyle, & Beauty Model

@nioby_

What does personal style mean to you? Let us know in the comments!

STYLE STARTS WITH SELF ESTEEM SERIES: WORDS OF AFFIRMATION

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STYLE STARTS WITH SELF ESTEEM SERIES: WORDS OF AFFIRMATION

WRITTEN BY BREYA SANAY

It's so hard to focus on the images we see through a cell phone screen and not the image we see through a reflection. I'm sure we have all fallen victim to it, including myself. We spend all of this time on the internet comparing our bodies, lifestyles, and other ideal made up things and comparing them to what society has programmed our minds into thinking there is only one standard of beauty. Sometimes we tend to forget that we are the own writers of lives and self proclamation is one of the first steps towards self confidence…

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HOW I'M LEARNING TO EMBRACE UNCERTAINTY IN MY LIFE & IN MY WORK

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HOW I'M LEARNING TO EMBRACE UNCERTAINTY IN MY LIFE & IN MY WORK

The career path I’ve chosen is a constant series of steps into the unknown. As a stylist, I often don’t know whether or not a look is gonna come together exactly how I’ve envisioned it. As a freelancer, I’m constantly being pushed to create my own opportunities. As a creative director, a team member can flake on me, a showroom can reject a pull request (don’t even get me started on delayed shipping 🙄), or I can get a last minute client that drastically changes my schedule.

…just day after day of embracing the unknown, which, if you know me personally, (if you don’t, I’m telling you now) has always been a MAJOR challenge for me.

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REMEMBERING TWO IRREPLACEABLE FORCES IN FASHION: WHO WILL BE OUR GENRERATION'S INNOVATORS?

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WRITTEN BY SHARRA GREENE

Like many young girls born in the 90’s, my very first introduction to the legendary Andre Leon Talley was on America’s Next Top Model, when he served as a judge. His energy was vivacious, confident, and dramatic. He game extensive knowledge on the history of the fashion industry. Little did I know at the time, how much of an impeccable revolutionary he was.

As a black journalist from the south, turned Vogue Editor at Large, and all around fashion culture expert, this man has trecked through the “Chiffon trenches” and fought battles regarding color, class, and everything in between, so that young black women like me, pursuing work in fashion, could have even a small window of opportunity.

I can also recall my very first encounter with the legendary fashion designer Thierry Mugler. I was 12 years old, listening to my fav Bey album to date, “I Am Sasha Fierce”, (this was back when we bought physical copies). As I flipped through the CD booklet, an image of my idol in an amazing sculpted top, fashioned as a motorcycle caught my eye. I remember thinking “Who would even think of something like this?” I was completely in awe, and forever inspired. I remember tearing my booklet to shreds to tape the image on my wall.

This is when I learned what innovation was.

The recent passing of these two irreplaceable forces has deeply and permanently affected the fashion community and culture.. and it has had me thinking about what it takes to truly be an innovator. By definition, an innovator is a person who introduces new methods, ideas, or products. Emphasis on the NEW. If there’s anything that the passing of legends is teaching me, it’s to follow my instincts.

To let knowledge and passion lead the way when you’re faced with ignorance and shut doors in your face, like Andre Leon Talley…

Or to follow your instinct and execute “odd, futuristic” designs that will be called '“timeless” years down the road, like Manfred Thierry Mugler did.

The legacy of these two trailblazers has inspired me to worry less about what the world says is “acceptable, standard, the right way”, etc. because all of our world’s leaders have directly defied all of that.

I recently shared my thoughts on this on my story, stating that “so many of our legends and innovators are passing one right behind the other. I feel like the only way we’re going to have as many innovators in the next generation is if we learn to tune out the noise of trends and what everyone is doing, and start listening to our inner voice more, and sharing our “crazy” ideas that we think no one will care about, with the world.”

What ways to you want to innovate? Let me know in the comments!

Sharra,

“Empowering her evolution through style.”