- 1 week ago
The fashion industry can feel impenetrable for those who may not see their skills or desired career paths reflected in those few roles. While this industry is a multi-trillion dollar business that requires arguably the most prolific and talented individuals to maintain the ecosystem – whether it’s producing shows, crafting a photoshoot, scouting and procuring talent, there's no blueprint to reach success in fashion. During this panel you’ll hear from talented professionals who occupy the roles behind the camera to bring elaborate creative visions to life, how they both found and continue to navigate the highly competitive space.
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00:00Okay, hi. Sorry. Yeah, so I guess it just like kind of, we're going to start out and we can have each of you kind of give a more in-depth background of like kind of how you got to where you are today and what you do now.
00:15We'll start with Sandrine.
00:18Hi, I'm Sandrine Charles. I am a communications consultant. I own my own company and I'm the co-founder of the Black and Fashion Council.
00:30Hello. Oh, you guys all look so nice. I'm Tasha Anderson-Boone. I'm the owner of TA, which is a concept store based in meatpacking 15 minutes from here.
00:44So hopefully all of you, you come when this is done today.
00:49I think mine's work. Hello, hello. Hi, everyone. I'm Kat. I am a casting director and stylist. So nice seeing everyone.
01:00I'm excited for today's panel. Sorry. Yeah, and I kind of just want to talk to each of you about like, talk to each of you kind of about like your first fashion job and kind of like, I feel like a lot of people when it comes to fashion only think there's like three careers, designer, stylist, or like a fashion editor.
01:23And I feel like you guys both have, all have jobs in fashion, but are very different from the trajectory.
01:29So kind of like, what was your first job in fashion? How did you kind of figure out that you could do what you do now?
01:35So I actually started off as an intern. Can't really skip steps here. Like literally was doing everything. I started interning at Pure Moms when it was a baby brand and no one really knew us like that.
01:55And I was a social media intern at first. And then one day, we're like, well, we're having a show and someone needs to cast it. Kat, I think that's your next project.
02:07And long story short, it never stopped after that. And I became, went from intern to okay, she's hired. So okay, we need her every season. She has to be here no matter where she goes. And it just turned into something that I didn't even plan for.
02:23I thought I was going to be styling and figuring it out, working for a magazine. And it kind of took a life of its own. And every season now, I'm casting shows.
02:33Okay, I'll go. So my first job in fashion, I was an intern for a PR firm. And they had hired a few different women to come from school to help assist Essie, the nail polish, and making sure that every single model had their nails done before they walked down the runway.
02:55And it was my job to kind of go through and check off that everyone was ready to go. So that was my first job in fashion. And then from there, I went to social media. From social media, I went back to PR. And then I went to school and opened a store.
03:08Well, I started in PR, interning throughout college, and then starting in entertainment, shifting into fashion and back and forth a little bit, and then really landing in fashion in my mid-20s.
03:25So traditional fashion, then streetwear and footwear, and then now a mix of all of it. So that's my start.
03:33Cool. And how would you say, kind of like, I guess, I feel like summer 2020, like, every brand wanted to, like, be diverse. And so I just want to know, like, prior to that, and then also after that, how has your career as a black woman, like, how have you navigated that? And how has it changed as a result of summer 2020?
04:00I can start. Summer 2020, Lindy and I started the Black and Fashion Council, which was an extension of the 2018 article she wrote that several of us were in. But prior to that, I was working with a lot of these streetwear brands that now it's super popular to work with streetwear brands, but I was at an agency doing, like, G-Shock.
04:24I worked with Kith on their relaunch and in-store openings. I launched NOAA. I worked on Stone Island. I launched Ivy Park. So back then, it was just, like, I thought it was cool that I was the black woman doing comms for these brands, but also noting that, like, I got to take people with me.
04:41And then afterwards, it was, I think for me personally, it was the same, but I know how different it was for a lot of people through that time.
04:49Okay, me. So TA launched around Shop Black. I'm not sure if you all remember, but it was a hashtag that kind of went viral around the time COVID hit, around the time everyone, well, a lot of these platforms wanted to be diverse and showcase black businesses, black people, black women, black men, all of it.
05:12And so we were able to launch at that time, and that's kind of how we blew up. And a lot of publications were really just looking to showcase black people in their magazines or in their kind of listicles or websites or whatever the case may be.
05:29And so we utilized what worked for us, which was social. You know, it's been an interesting kind of journey. I kind of navigated fashion going from social to what I do now and didn't realize how valuable that experience was until Shop Black occurred, and I realized the importance of kind of connecting with audiences and growing that way.
05:51So we kind of, it was kind of, it was kind of a divine timing type of moment. But yeah.
05:57So my experience really has always been a push on my end, just because with casting and working with different clients outside of Pure Moss, it was my duty, my job to present people from all different types of backgrounds.
06:13It was never just, oh, here's your token person. Here's like, it was always a battle with certain clients, where it's like, no, you can't just pick one of each and think that, yeah, we're just hitting the diversity mark.
06:26And after 2020, it became like this thing where it's like, oh, we have to hit all the marks. And it was never coming from a place of, I really just want to showcase what everyone looks like, what we really represent when we walk outside.
06:42It was always, you know, we're going to have 10 white models, and we're going to have one black model, and one Asian model. It was never, okay, let's do the mixture, let's see everyone.
06:53So my job was always making sure that I brought the options, making sure that I'm really giving my clients the pool of people, and landing somewhere where it didn't feel so on the nose.
07:04It was like, you know, like, here's everyone. Let's represent everyone. Let's showcase black women more. Like, I got a question, one of my interviews saying, you know, what made you go with an all-black cast for Pierre Moss?
07:18No one has ever, ever asked any designer why they only book majority white models. So why ask me that? So, yeah, it's been a battle. It's been a battle. But we're here, and we're going to make sure that we're always represented, because we matter.
07:35Yes, exactly. I love that.
07:42I think, kind of, I want to ask each of you, kind of, just to give people in the audience who might be interested in, like, your careers, or just, like, interested in learning more, kind of just, like, for you, Kat, like, with casting, like, what does that look like?
07:55How do you cast someone? And then also, if someone wants to be a casting director, how do they do that?
08:01So it's funny, because I never saw this for myself. I kind of just got thrown into it, and it became a whole thing.
08:08Right after I started interning at Pierre Moss and taking casting serious, I started interning for another casting director, who's, like, a really big casting director. Her name's Michelle Lee.
08:18And I learned how to do all these things, like, the process of everything.
08:24And it's interesting, because this is not something that you can learn at, like, a job, career type of place.
08:32So it's like, if you're looking to be a model, always, always keep an eye open for open castings.
08:37And look at those details, and show up on time, and bring your digitals that you print.
08:43You can print it from Walgreens. You can print it from everywhere. You're on regular paper.
08:47Just show up prepared. Bring heels. Like, keep an eye out on those brands that you really, really love.
08:52Find that email and say, hey, like, are you guys having castings anytime soon?
08:57So just keeping your eyes peeled out for those opportunities, and making sure that when you do show up, you're ready with the tools.
09:04So having a comp card, having your heels ready, like, having a great positive attitude.
09:10You'll be surprised how many models I've seen who are technically not the model size or the model height.
09:16But if you come in there and you pump, can't nobody tell you you're not 5'11 if you're 5'4".
09:20But if you want to be a casting director, definitely, definitely reach out to someone that inspires you,
09:28or you see that is in the field. An intern.
09:32I know that, you know, where we are right now with the economy, it's hard to want to enter for free or enter for a low rate.
09:40But honestly, the experience you gain, it's unmatched.
09:44I wouldn't be here right now if I didn't intern, if I didn't assist.
09:48I was actually Corey Stokes' assistant.
09:51So I'm never too good to help, and you're never done learning.
09:55So definitely reach out to that person who inspires you and say, hey, do you need help?
10:00I'm willing to show up and show up on time and always make a good impression.
10:04That person will call you back.
10:06Trust me, I'm always looking for assistance, so email me.
10:10And Tasha, what about you?
10:13Take us through kind of, like, what it takes and what it means to, like, run your own store.
10:17And if someone's interested in doing that down the line, how can they do that?
10:22Okay, so it's a lot.
10:24I think the first thing is realizing, you know, the pretty parts of opening this store is doing the buy,
10:31interacting with wonderful women, you know, right now that I know up here on the stage, see daily all the time.
10:37And really making sure that you're in the rooms you're supposed to be in, that's kind of the easy part.
10:42I think the hardest part about owning a store and what I would suggest to anyone that wants to do it
10:47is really learning the business aspect of it.
10:51So making sure that you take a class on finance, take a class on how to manage people.
10:57And that doesn't always have to mean that you go back to school.
11:00It could just mean that you go to a local college or whatever is in your area
11:04and figure out a way to kind of learn the skills that you're not best at.
11:08So, for instance, for me, I'm not the best always with finances.
11:11So I make sure to take a proper class on that.
11:14I make sure that someone's in my circle that is helping me with that
11:17and that my business manager understands, you know, what it is I need.
11:21So I think the best part also is the buy.
11:24So you get to interact with all these wonderful brands.
11:26And that's usually my day-to-day, especially this week.
11:29It's going and interacting and making sure that they understand who we are
11:34and they understand, you know, in this large landscape of retail
11:37that we're this small store that wants to champion, you know, black designers
11:40and designers that are emerging and designers that really just need a platform.
11:45So that's the pretty part.
11:46But the best part about it also is learning, you know, the administrative parts of the business
11:51because that's day-to-day.
11:52The buy is only this week.
11:54And then the rest of the 365 days out of the year is managing people, finances, you know,
12:00making sure your space is clean and staying up to date on emails, really.
12:07And Sandrine, take us or let us know, like, what your day-to-day is like
12:12as a communications consultant and how, if someone's interested in doing that,
12:15how they could get there.
12:16I mentioned I started interning, but I worked at various PR agencies over a length of time.
12:25And I think my biggest lesson, and I say it often, was getting fired when I was really junior
12:30because, like, I thought I knew the rules.
12:33But, like, 9 o'clock means at your desk at 9 o'clock, not in the elevator at 9 o'clock.
12:38And I think that, like, while we all want to get to where we're going,
12:42we have to be, like, super humble, like, I made nothing.
12:48And just be happy to gain that experience.
12:51And I think for PR, especially fashion PR, it's the experience that helps you.
12:54Like, you want to get all the experience.
12:56You want to build lists so that you get the contacts and you interact with them
12:59so that when you do get to a senior level, there are editors who will come out
13:03because they know you and they know what type of opportunity or experience
13:07you're sharing with them for their publication.
13:09And then in terms of my now job, I didn't seek to open my business.
13:16Actually, editors referred me to clients when I was leaving my last agency.
13:21And we're still 100% referrals six years later.
13:25So, iconic.
13:27But it's also the work.
13:29Like, people see, like, that Instagram quick hit.
13:32And they're like, oh, you're at a party.
13:33Oh, you're doing this.
13:34Oh, you're with your client.
13:35And it's like, that's fun, but I haven't slept.
13:39And I worked through my vacation because I knew it was fashion week.
13:42And I didn't want to have any mistakes.
13:44So, I always tell young PR professionals in the making to be very eager, very humble.
13:50It's not, like, the biggest pain, the beginning.
13:52But once you get to where you're going, I promise you the check will change.
13:56And also, the clients will change.
13:58And everything you want in the experience will be better.
14:00But soak it up in the meantime.
14:02You know, cry in the bathroom.
14:03And then get back to work.
14:05We all have.
14:06We all have.
14:07The tears happen.
14:08They just happen behind closed doors, not on Instagram.
14:12And I guess just speaking, because I feel like everyone here kind of talked about the hard work that it takes to get to where you are.
14:20And so, I just want to know, like, why fashion?
14:25I enjoy fashion.
14:26I like different parts of fashion.
14:28You know, I wear sneakers primarily every day because, you know, what my client roster looks like.
14:34But then, I love getting dressed up and going out.
14:37I think you just have to find a passion in fashion.
14:40And thankfully, there are so many categories and respected brands that you can work for.
14:45You don't always have to work for a luxury brand.
14:48Or, you know, you could work for an emerging brand like Kat did and grow with them.
14:52Or, like, I was working with streetwear brands and I was growing with them, too.
14:55And I think that we only see one linear version of what fashion looks like in mainstream media.
15:01But people have thriving careers behind the scenes.
15:05They're rich.
15:07But you have to kind of look at the categories and see where you want to place yourself.
15:11You could live in Texas and work for, like, the Jessica Simpson brand, you know, and still have a really good life and have the context you need to be successful.
15:19I think for me, it was always going to be fashion.
15:24So, I was always playing dress up.
15:26I always liked looking in a mirror.
15:28It was always going to be, you know, finding a space within the fashion world.
15:33That didn't happen for me right when I graduated.
15:37I had to kind of go through the back door.
15:40And I really wanted to be a buyer.
15:42And I thought that was similar to what you said earlier.
15:45Like, that was the only option.
15:47I didn't even know, you know, owning your own could be an option until I decided it was going to be for me because of what I liked about the industry and what I didn't.
15:56So, I was always going to be in this industry.
15:59I didn't always know how.
16:00And then, I think, once I decided that my passion needed to follow my purpose, that was it.
16:08This is what I'm doing.
16:09I'm opening a store.
16:10They don't want me to be a buyer.
16:11That's fine.
16:12I'll build a building.
16:13Let's do it.
16:14So, that's what we did.
16:16Love that.
16:21To Sandrine's point, like, I didn't know that I was going to end up here.
16:25But fashion has always been that thing for me, the thing that made me feel alive.
16:30It was really, fashion has always been a labor of love.
16:35And I think that's why it just turned into what it turned to today because I was never thinking, okay, like, when am I going to do this?
16:42Or, like, I wasn't too worried about the glitz and the glam of it.
16:45I was really worried about what was happening behind closed doors.
16:48How can I be of assistance?
16:49How can I help this person, although it's not in my job title?
16:52Or I'm just an intern.
16:54I can't help you.
16:55I was, I'll wear every hat.
16:57Like, and that kind of is my superpower because that's how I work and that's how I work now.
17:03So, it was, I was able to work with brands like Hanifa, Brandon Blackwood, Luar, like, all these brands that are still very much building their business but know where they're going.
17:15And when you work with people who are like, okay, this is what I want to do, pouring out to them is nothing for me because I want to see you win.
17:24I want to see this get bigger.
17:25Every year, all of my clients scale up, always do bigger shows, always do bigger installations.
17:31And it's amazing to see that because we're all growing.
17:33It pulls me right back.
17:49And that's how you know you're exactly where you're supposed to be.
17:53Yes, I love that.
17:54And now I kind of just want to see if anyone opened it up to questions and take a few questions from the audience.
18:01Raise your, oh, yes.
18:06My name is Sineen.
18:09Hello.
18:10My name is Sineen.
18:10I have a question about, you know, all the rhetoric right now, like, on TikTok and social media about, like, quiet quitting and, like, boundaries and, you know, not going above and beyond, you know, unless you get paid.
18:25And how do you, like, I would just like to know what everyone's position is on that and, yeah, and how that applies, like, in fashion and, like, if you want to, like, build a career in this space.
18:41That's actually a great question.
18:42And it's something that, for me, I'm still figuring that out, right?
18:47Because sometimes it does get to a point where, like, okay, I need to live my life and I need to set some boundaries.
18:52So it's kind of setting the boundaries up front and, you know, being stern and knowing what, okay, here's the times that I clearly would work and do everything you need me to do.
19:03And then after that, I'll talk to you tomorrow.
19:06Like, but some things get a little messy, right?
19:09Fashion week.
19:10I mean, yesterday I was working, the day before yesterday I was working until 2 a.m.
19:14And I got to set at 9 a.m.
19:16So it depends.
19:18For fashion week specifically, you know, when things are just going and you've got to get everything done.
19:22It does start, like, muddying the waters a bit.
19:25But on the day-to-day, like, when it's not something really crazy that you're prepping for, you know, setting the boundaries, asking the right questions at the very beginning.
19:33For example, if you're an intern or an assistant, you always want to ask about, is there a rate for this?
19:39Okay.
19:39If it's not a rate this time, I will have to be a part of it.
19:42But next time I will require a rate, you know.
19:44And that all comes from, let me show you my work.
19:48Let me show you what I can do.
19:49Let me show you how I can be assistants to you.
19:51And then from there, I deserve to get paid if I did a great job.
19:54And usually that's what happens.
19:55A lot of interns turn into assistants and then turn into their own bosses.
19:59I mean, we're all here with proof of that.
20:02So I completely understand about boundaries and making sure that, you know, you're still getting paid for your time and your work.
20:09And it's really about just being up front at the very beginning so there's no miscommunication in the middle.
20:16You don't ever want to be like, oh, can we have this serious conversation now that we didn't talk about the war?
20:20Because then that's when it gets a little, hmm, so you not want it.
20:24It's not the Tyra Banks vibe, you know.
20:26But definitely just bringing things up front and being clear about what you want, what your needs are, and what you're willing to do.
20:33I think why quitting is a very interesting space.
20:36And I say that because, yes, we all worked very hard to get to where we're going.
20:41But the industry is not going to fully shift anytime soon.
20:45So saying that, like, oh, it's Fashion Week.
20:48I'm going home at 6.
20:50I'm not.
20:52You know, I'm going to be in the office with everyone else.
20:54Or I'm going to be in the client's office with everyone else until it's done.
20:57And most places are standard where you know your office hours.
21:01Now, if there's something that comes up at 5 o'clock and it's all hands on deck and you want to go to dinner with your friends, I don't think that's the best career move.
21:09You have to kind of balance.
21:11You know, you're not staying late every night.
21:13You're not being asked to work every weekend.
21:15But then there's this also shift in generation where, you know, everybody wants six figures out of college and all of these things.
21:22And I'm not saying to take pennies on the dollar.
21:25But every industry has its salary range.
21:28Every industry has, you know, its scales.
21:31And it's just nearly impossible to get those things.
21:36I mean, there's a 1%, I'm sure.
21:38But the quiet quitting, it's just like you're not getting what you want immediately.
21:42You can't showcase on social media that you're doing these amazing things.
21:46And it's okay to be humble.
21:48And it's okay to go, okay, this doesn't work.
21:50I'll let go of a client if they disrespect me.
21:53But if I'm doing good work for you and we have an understanding of the workflow, then that's cool.
21:57You let me go on my vacation, I'll let you go on yours, we're good.
22:01But disrespect for me, I think, is where I draw the line.
22:04Or disrespecting my team, you know.
22:07But yeah, it's an interesting, because we're going into a recession.
22:10So I don't know why people would want to just quit now and not change their jobs.
22:15But I can't necessarily speak for everyone's experience.
22:19I think I'm torn.
22:22So I'm here for quiet quitting.
22:24Like, do you.
22:25Be an entrepreneur.
22:26Go for it.
22:27Like, yes.
22:28Because that's what I did.
22:30However, I did that after a lot of work for someone else.
22:36So I kind of made sure that I understood at least the basics of what it is I wanted to do.
22:43I think as far as your question about boundaries, I'm learning that.
22:48My boundaries are often crossed by me.
22:51So I learned that I need to take accountability for that.
22:54If I'm up until 4 a.m. on an email, sometimes, yes, I have to be doing that.
23:00Oftentimes, it's because I spend half the day watching Gilmore Girls.
23:03So there needs to, I'm still learning to find that balance.
23:08And, you know, my team is growing very slowly, and I want it to be that way.
23:11So I'm trying to also learn how to let go of things and find the proper boundaries of what makes sense.
23:17But when I was working, you know, for other people, I was very transparent.
23:21And I was also open to all hands on deck at 9 p.m.
23:26I was also open to jumping on the New Jersey Transit and saying,
23:29Hey, Mom, sorry, not going to make dinner. I'm going to go back and help with, like, I did that.
23:34So after doing that, and then now it's like, okay, learn your boundaries.
23:37And then being extremely transparent with whoever I was working for or whoever I was working with.
23:43And that's what I expect, you know, from my employees now.
23:46Just be transparent.
23:47Because not everyone wants to, you know, do what I'm doing.
23:50Some people want to just learn and go feed into what it is they have going on.
23:54That's great.
23:54But transparency is, like, for both.
23:57Why did y'all lie?
23:59So I'll also answer.
24:01Yes.
24:02No, I feel like professional integrity is a really big thing.
24:05So it's just, like, I don't, I'm going to work hard on something because my name's on it.
24:09So it's just, like, one of those things where it's, like, I can't half-ass something that my name is on.
24:14Because that's, like, my reputation.
24:16So I think professional integrity is really important.
24:19Like, if you go home at night and you're, like, this was, you know, this looks bad and it's because I didn't show up or I didn't take part in it.
24:27I feel like that's a big thing.
24:28I definitely agree with boundaries.
24:30I've learned to set them after years and years of not having any.
24:34And I do think, like, you have to look at jobs as, like, you don't, yes, you do work for this place if it's a company.
24:41But, like, what is, like, how the company is thinking about, like, what you could do for them, you need to be thinking about how you can use this to get to where you want to go.
24:49So that kind of helps you better.
24:52It's, like, okay, if you have three goals while you're at this job, one is to, like, I don't know, like, write a profile on a designer.
24:59Maybe another one is, like, to have your own event and maybe the third one is to start a podcast.
25:05Those are your three goals.
25:06You need to be working towards that.
25:07And then once you're done, then you can actually quit because you, like, you have your goals and go to the next thing.
25:12And I think also when you get to a point of, like, where you feel like you're tired of helping build other people's dreams, that's kind of where you need to, like, take a step back and think about, like, how can I build my own dreams outside of working for people.
25:24So, yeah.
25:25To that point, too, the quiet quitting, I feel like the kids on TikTok kind of mix that with skipping steps in the process.
25:37And as much as you, some people on IG look like they're getting it, they're, like, it's lit.
25:43But then when you really look, when all the lights are off, no one's taking selfies and pictures, they don't have the meat that you need in order to really grow in the industry.
25:56And then it just becomes a facade.
25:58So it's like, okay, you really have to know what do you want out of the industry and how can you pinpoint those things and get it.
26:05You can't sit here and be like, I want to be a stylist, I want to be a casting director, I want to be a buyer, I want to be the head of a PR and not do the work, not be an intern, not be an assistant, not do, like, you know, show up and do those long nights.
26:20Sometimes it requires that.
26:22And if you want to be your own boss, that's a certain dream, the long nights and hours, that's kind of what makes you who you are.
26:29So don't mix the quiet quitting with skipping steps because you'll never land where you really should.
26:36Any other questions?
26:39Oh, hi.
26:43Hi, my name is Stephanie Moy and I am so honored to be here.
26:47I love Essence.
26:48I've been following Essence since I was a teenager in the 70s.
26:53I'm a fashion designer.
26:55I own Essence Moy and I'm a fashion writer and I own a hair salon called Moy and I'm a fashion writer.
27:01My question is, how would I go about being a part of Essence Fashion House, a fashion designer, to showcase my fashions?
27:12Because I love Essence.
27:13I go to Essence festivals every so often, every other year.
27:17So I would love to be a part.
27:20I think we, did you guys, did the Essence team hear her?
27:23I think we need to make some connections after this panel.
27:26Okay, they're going to talk to her after.
27:28Okay, they're going to come find you after.
27:30Okay.
27:35Do you have another question?
27:38Oh, hi.
27:38Sorry.
27:39Question two.
27:40Three.
27:41Hi, my name is Aisha.
27:44My question is, when it comes to wanting to intern, let's say you're switching careers and you decide you want to do something else, do you feel like ageism plays a part in it?
27:54No.
27:55No.
27:56Depending on what you want to do, it's never too late to begin your thing.
28:00If you need to learn, if you want to learn, no.
28:03Reach out to that person.
28:04Send that email.
28:05Do it.
28:06Don't waste any more time.
28:07If that's really what you want to do, go for it.
28:11And also, I do recommend looking into different apprentice opportunities, too.
28:17So, I think as, you know, you grow old, I mean, I might not want to do this in 20 years.
28:21And I want to try something different.
28:23I might want to apprentice under someone else who has their own company or a subsidiary at a corporation so that I can get the same experience but not with, like, 18-year-olds.
28:32They answered it.
28:37Yes.
28:38Yes.
28:39Sure.
28:43Hi.
28:44My name is Tiaria Jake.
28:45So, I actually just left the corporate environment being an electrical engineer by trade.
28:49But I want to know, what do you all see in the future of fashion when it comes to fashion technology, NFTs, and, like, into, like, digitizing that space?
28:56I have a client that is in, like, the tech space.
29:01We do collaborations with a bunch of designers.
29:05They did it twice with Heron Preston and once with Ambush and Kid Super.
29:09It's a huge opportunity.
29:11I think as tech emerges, there's going to be a wider space for these kind of – I don't know NFT, though.
29:18But I think fashion tech is booming.
29:21Go get your bread.
29:23I agree.
29:24I have a younger brother, actually, who has been trying to convince me to get into this, and his ideas are crazy, so just keep an eye out.
29:31But I think – I mean, I think it's the next wave.
29:33I think it's – we're all – the fashion industry has to – is already a part of tech, and so we're going to continue to be a part of that world, a part of the NFT world.
29:41It's just going to happen.
29:42And I think I'm looking forward to seeing how brands figure out ways to personalize their space within that space.
29:49I think it'll be a slow burn, though, but I'm excited to see how that happens.
29:53But it's definitely going to happen.
29:55I would say look out for those companies.
29:56Business of Fashion has done multiple stories on these emerging companies in tech and the way that fashion brands are utilizing tech.
30:04I would get that subscription.
30:06I'd get a WWE subscription just to find out what the trade news is and how it's moving.
30:11Also, like, my client, Hanifa, made waves during the pandemic in literally 3D models and showcased her designs, and the design looked exactly how it looked in the 3D model.
30:25So, I am excited to see how designers take tech and figure out how to do different things.
30:32I'm not crazy about, like, you know, like the animated models, the ones that are, like, influencers.
30:39Oh, like Lil Mikaela?
30:40Yeah.
30:40I love Lil Mikaela.
30:41I don't know.
30:42I mean, she's cute, but, like, it's just a little weird.
30:46I think it was cute for, like –
30:47Two seconds.
30:48It was six months.
30:49Yeah.
30:50Yeah.
30:50So, you know, there's certain parts of it.
30:52I feel like we're all still trying to figure out what that looks like.
30:55But it's been really, really fun seeing everyone's ideation on what fashion and tech can really do together.
31:02So, I feel like tech isn't going anywhere.
31:04It's just growing and doing different things.
31:07And so, we'll see.
31:09I'm excited.
31:11Any other questions?
31:12Oh.
31:13Hello.
31:17Hi, everyone.
31:18I'm Chloe.
31:19It's wonderful to see you all.
31:21So, for me, being a black beauty influencer that creates content focusing mainly on inclusivity, I often find it difficult to work with brands that don't value accountability.
31:31And I want to know how you're able to remain in spaces and have your recommendations heard and implemented.
31:37I guess I can speak from both perspectives, from, like, the council perspective, where we're working on a universal standard, which does include beauty brands.
31:48Our full list is on the website.
31:51And then also working with a couple of beauty brands at my agency and previously interning at a beauty PR agency.
31:57I think that, like, once you get in there, and I see the complaints, but you're not going to get as much ROI.
32:04You're not going to get what you want mainly if you're, like, putting them on blast.
32:08I think the difference is meeting with the correct people, seeing actually who's in the room.
32:12It's always interesting because sometimes there are those key people in the room that can actually help you.
32:17And they're all ears.
32:19And then other times it's, like, external companies that help amplify these.
32:22So it might not get to them directly.
32:25So finding those contacts or asking to be connected to them if you're working on a project, et cetera, just to get more information is key and your easiest way to get what you want.
32:36Yeah, I think for me, so I do a lot of fun, paid partnerships, just as Tosha Anderson-Boone, the person.
32:42And I think what I've learned in that is really just asking them what they are expecting from me and making sure that whatever deliverables or whatever story they're trying to get me to attach myself to or tell for them aligns with my inner and my, like, what I truly believe.
33:02I also talk to companies about what campaigns are coming sometimes before or after me.
33:08They can't always tell me everything because that's what companies are.
33:11But I make sure that whatever is surrounding whatever I do is still aligned because it can get a little fuzzy.
33:20I feel like Sandrine answered it, what I was going to say.
33:22But, yeah, just kind of having the conversation with the right people.
33:26And you don't always want to just run to Instagram because you could potentially shoot yourself in the foot at that point, right?
33:31Because it's like you still want the opportunity, however you need whoever is the partnership with, right?
33:37Having that honest conversation and where it's not attitude, where it's not angry, where it's like, hey, just from my standpoint, this is how I feel about X by Z.
33:47And I would love to still work with you guys, but is there any way where we can meet halfway?
33:52It's about being transparent.
33:53It's about telling them exactly how you feel in a manner where it is digestible to all, right?
33:58Because it's like you still want to be politically correct to get what you want to get at the end of the day.
34:02So it's like always think about your goals.
34:05And before you act, think about, okay, how can I still get what I want from this?
34:09You know, if it doesn't align, if they don't fall in line with what you believe, then you know that that brand or that partnership could go.
34:18Because at the end of the day, how you feel is important.
34:20You should always listen to yourself.
34:21If it doesn't feel right, don't do it.
34:23And I think we have time for, like, two more questions.
34:27So you in the back.
34:30I would pass this down, but okay.
34:34Okay.
34:34You said something about what you learned with your kids' buyers.
34:39And I think it's important not to gloss over that.
34:43So you two, the three of you, can speak to what you learned from yourself.
34:48Because I think that's very important.
34:50That's a great question.
34:51I'm always happy to talk about my failures because, again, the illusion of social media or, like, the illusion of just the great things that stories portray.
35:03I got fired.
35:04I interned again.
35:05I took my LSAT twice.
35:07I didn't get into the law schools that I'm sure I was supposed to based on my family's, like, expectations.
35:13Then I took on another job for less.
35:16I got the experience I wanted.
35:18It wasn't what I wanted to do, but I had rent to pay.
35:21I learned skill sets.
35:22I went into entertainment again.
35:24I learned how to do social media.
35:26I kind of helped launch Forbes' social media division with my boss.
35:31And then they kept me there.
35:32And that's when I went back into PR.
35:35I was working at a project at the agency I spent the longest time on.
35:39And then they called me back when they took on more clients.
35:42And I wanted to end up in the fashion department.
35:44And they're like, you're going to end up in the lifestyle department.
35:47And I was like, oh, okay.
35:48And I was, like, bummed because I really wanted to come back and just be, like, a fashion girl.
35:53But I got to do collaborations, which eventually helped my, you know, trajectory to do collaborations with the clients that I've had over the years.
36:01But that failure of being fired and the expectations that I had.
36:07And this was Facebook era.
36:08So this wasn't even, like, I saw my peers just, like, living large.
36:12I wanted to get to where I wanted to by rushing.
36:16And that's why I don't rush now.
36:18Because everything that's for me will be for me no matter what's happening.
36:22And I think the problem is is that we expect everything so quick so we can share it.
36:27I have news.
36:28I'll probably share it next week.
36:29We have new clients, we have new projects, super exciting, don't have time this week.
36:33I want to focus on what's at hand.
36:35So I think that, you know, every day I still feel like I'm sometimes failing, right, because I'll look at my friends and what they're doing.
36:44But every mistake is going to land me on my feet for something better.
36:48And if I don't take the mistakes now, I'll take them when I'm older, when I don't want to, when I want to be retired back in the Caribbean.
36:54However, people want to just keep going and going and going, like, down to financing.
37:02If my boss at that agency I stayed almost four years with, and I rose the ranks, I got in there mid-level, I left at the director level of my own department, picking my own menswear clients.
37:13And when she went on mat leave, I was, like, the next one up.
37:18So I learned how to do the books with the accountant.
37:21I learned how to negotiate for projects, asking clients for more, which then eventually helped me when I launched my business, even though I didn't plan to launch my business.
37:30So I always say God's favor is always in your favor, even if you don't know what's going on.
37:35So every time I fall, I'm like, all right, there's something better.
37:38I'm expecting too little in this situation.
37:43Yeah.
37:44Yeah, I'm no fun about my story.
37:45I know.
37:46Same.
37:47The only so fun.
37:49I've been fired quite a bit.
37:51I think from similar to Sandrine, each of those moments have taught me, one, to take accountability for why it happened, which is really hard to do, especially when you may be working for someone crazy.
38:02You're like, it was their thought, but it wasn't.
38:04It was probably yours.
38:05And also, I mean, I think my failures have showed me and to learn all aspects of what it is that I want to do and continue to just strive towards who I want to be.
38:26And failure is inevitable.
38:28You know, no one on this earth is perfect.
38:30And so I think once you kind of internalize that and take steps towards, you know, the career that you want or the person you want to be, it's going to happen.
38:39And I think just learning how to take it to the chin metaphorically sometimes and being like, okay, I messed up.
38:44I made a mistake on that.
38:45Let me fix that.
38:46And I wouldn't have ever done that had I not been fired, had I not disappointed a boss, had I not met someone's expectations.
38:54It was inevitable that was going to happen.
38:55And I work for myself and I make mistakes all the time.
38:58I don't send something when I'm supposed to or I send the wrong email to the wrong person.
39:02I mean, it's going to happen.
39:03So, and I also learn through that failure to give myself grace and so to make sure like, hey, Tosha, you messed up, but don't beat yourself up on that.
39:12Like, it's okay.
39:13Let's move on to the next thing.
39:14Don't sit in that because if you stay in that, you're not going to get to the next step or to the next position or to the next goal.
39:19So just learning how to do that.
39:22So getting fired.
39:25Oh, man.
39:27It's heartbreaking, right?
39:29We're like you're in the middle of it.
39:30I have one of my fashion horror stories.
39:34I have plenty, but I'll share one.
39:38So when I was interning with the casting director, we went from, we did the New York leg of New York Fashion Week.
39:45And what she did not know was that I previously have bought a flight to go to Paris because I knew that they did the Paris leg of Fashion Week.
39:56And I was like, I'm going.
39:57I'm going to figure it out.
39:58I don't know.
39:59Guys, I did not have money.
40:00Why did I buy that ticket?
40:03So I was done.
40:04I did a great job.
40:05She loved me.
40:06And I was like, yes, I'm going to be her assistant forever.
40:09We get to Paris.
40:10Well, no.
40:11I asked, can I intern some more?
40:13Meanwhile, I did three weeks worth of work for free to get my, you know, I didn't know what I was doing.
40:20I just got thrown in there.
40:22And I looked at her like, whoa, this is an entire thing.
40:25This is how I can do what I do interning back up here in Moss.
40:28So I get to Paris and I get there a little earlier than we discussed.
40:34And I never told her that.
40:36And when she realized I was there early, I got fired because I didn't tell her I was there so I can work some more.
40:43So about boundaries, about being up front, that all comes full circle.
40:48I've been through it.
40:49I was in Paris and I literally cried.
40:52You can hear me from the courtyard.
40:54Like, I was like, oh, my God.
40:55I came here.
40:56I couldn't wait.
40:57I was working four shows.
40:58I was so excited.
41:00Life-changing experience.
41:01And I get there, literally have like 50 U.S. dollars, and I just got fired.
41:07Not cute.
41:08But that taught me you have to be up front.
41:13Tell them everything up front and let them know what you're willing to do and not to do.
41:17I was so exhausted.
41:18I had just worked three weeks for free.
41:21And I was like, fired?
41:23I also, on that note, would recommend that everyone ask for a scope of work before interning.
41:29Also, some deliverables, what they're expecting for either the semester or the year or whatever the contract says.
41:39Because there's, I mean, my interns are paid.
41:41I know they're watching.
41:41They're paid.
41:42And they're paid because you're doing work.
41:45No, don't.
41:46I have enough interns.
41:47But it's because you should ask for those.
41:50So that's like a failure one-on-one, answer one-on-one right there.
41:53But thank you.
41:55For this.
41:56Thank you for this.
41:59I mean, okay, that's all the time we have.
42:03Thank you, everyone.
42:04It's been great.
42:06Bye, guys.
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