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

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

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“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

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“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

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“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

Tene’A Cummings

Model | Fashion & Beauty Influencer

@_locstarrr

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“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

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“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!

NOTE TO SELF: VALUE YOUR INDIVIDUALITY OVER CHASING THE TRENDS

WRITTEN BY SHARRA GREENE | PHOTOGRAPHED BY MKR SHOOTS

As a stylist, I’m constantly working to stay on top of the trends, problem solving, and analyzing what could be better, in an effort to make sure my work and my brand is the best it can be. When you’re in fashion, it’s easy to get caught up in who wore what, who wore it better, and what the next wave is. After years of following such an ever-changing industry, it’s easy to get lost in it all. Through well-intentioned habits of doing trend research, self awareness, and constant evaluation of self, the lines between staying looped in to the world around you and losing your sense of unique thought and creativity can often become blurred.

I realized this was a true conflict for me this past weekend. I was scatter brained, filled with a bunch of doubts, and just generally uninspired to do anything on my ever-growing to do list. As I vented my thoughts to my boyfriend, I realized that part of my frustration was coming from not being able to even fully hear myself and what I wanted and needed. I had been hard at work over the past few weeks creating pitches, traveling and networking, preparing myself for the next best opportunity, and being hyper focused on what I should be or shouldn’t be doing. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good productivity streak, but I had been seriously neglecting self care and honoring my own need to be heard by… well, by myself.

I’m sure many of you can relate. Day after day, we’re surrounded by everyone’s opinion of what’s right for us. Our timelines tell us what we’re doing wrong, or displaying to us what others are doing right that we’re not. Our jobs are constantly telling us where we could improve, and then we have our biggest critic, ourselves.

As I pondered all of the places where I feel pressure in my life to show up perfectly, I was finally able to conclude why I felt so negatively. I wasn’t giving myself grace to be fully myself without first running it through the filter of “Is this right for my business? Is it right to feel like this? What more could I be doing?” The reality is, as a young black woman, the world is already going to have plenty to say about how I look, what I wear, and what I do. I’m now learning how important it is to honor myself, apart from the standards and expectations that the world puts on me. I need to be clear on how I feel about myself and where I’m going, and honor those feelings, however imperfect they may be.

To do this, I’ve been practicing guided meditation to maintain a state of mindfulness. I’ve also been asking myself more questions about my mission and values, so I’ll know to bring that into everything that I do, instead of defining myself and my worth by where I am vs. where I think I should be. I’ve realized that I value helping to bring out the best in others by being my best, and my mission is to use my creativity to inspire the creativity and self expression of others. Styling is simply the current vehicle I’m using to live out that mission.

What are some strategies you use to stay grounded and in tune with yourself? Let me know in the comments!

XOXO,

Sharra

“Empowering her evolution through style.”

THE MODERN HOTTIE'S CAPSULE WARDROBE: STAPLE PIECES TO HELP YOU CREATE ENDLESS FALL OUTFITS

CURATED BY SHARRA GREENE

When’s the last time you updated your capsule wardrobe?? A capsule wardrobe is a small collection of clothing items that allow one to create several different outfits by mixing and matching the same pieces. Check out the key pieces tat can take the modern day fashionista a long way for the cooler weather…

THE CROPPED JACKET

>Shop the look

I have plentyyyy in different flavors, and as much as bae makes fun of me for wearing half a jacket when it’s chilly out, cropped jackets are the perfect lightweight layer when you don’t need an entire coat and you want to edge up a casual look.

How to Style It: Pair it with your fave sweater dresses, or with a crop top and sweatpants or jeans. Complete the look with combat boots or your fave sneakers.

Where to Find It: Lionne Clothing, Mistress Rocks

THE THIGH HIGH BOOT

>Shop the Look

If you know me, you know how I feel about my OTK’s!! When it gets cold out, they go everywhere that I go! (I have a whole blog post dedicated to them here! ) Every modern stylista needs a sexy pair of boots that contour and flatter their legs. I always keep at least one flat pair and one heeled pair in a classic color in my closet!

How to Style It: Go for an iconic Nanny Fran inspired look with a bodycon mini dress or a skirt & turtleneck combo, or keep it casual with body-hugging denim jeans and a statement jacket

Wear to Find It: Twelve AM, Simmi

THE LITTLE BROWN DRESS

>Shop the Look

In case you haven’t heard, when it comes to classic colors, brown is the new black. You can catch every brand from major design houses to your everyday fast fashion boutique showcasing their line of staple pieces in shades of nude. When you’re after a sleek look that switches it up from the all-black-ensemble, opt for an earth toned brown dress in a classy silhouette that can take you from the desk to a date.

How to Style It: Pair it with a pair of metallic statement hoop earrings, an envelope clutch, nude or chocolate heels, and a smoky eye for maximum effect

Where to Find It: House of Chic LA, Naked Wardrobe

THE DENIM MINI SKIRT

>Shop the Look

…because they’re back and they’re here to stay! A sexy denim mini is the epitome of “I’m trying, but not too hard.” It’s an easy piece to dress up or down with a simple shoe change, and it allows you to incorporate feminine and chic elements into your casual looks.

How to Style It: Pair it with your favorite crop top or bodysuit & a pair of boots. Simple yet effective

Where to Find It: Broken Land, Shop Nichole Lynel



THE ANKLE BOOT

>Shop the Look

Can’t forget about a shorter length boot for the early Fall vibes! It’s always good to have boots in different lengths, heel heights, and materials to bring some variety into your wardrobe and enhance your options when the weather varies. What I love about the ankle boot is that you can wear it from early Fall, all throughout Winter, and even into early Spring. They’re a worthwhile investment.

How to Style It: Pair it with cargo pants or a hoodie dress when you’re after an edgy streetwear vibe. They can also go with denim shorts, your favorite jeans, or a sexy pair of leather pants

Where to Find It: Simmi, Twelve AM

THE LAIDBACK JOGGERS

>Shop the Look

Another essential part of your “effortless” collection, a pair of joggers with a relaxed fit will get you through those says where you couldn’t care less what you’re wearing, but you have to care because you have great impressions to make and goals to reach.

How to Style It: Take a page out of T. Ray’s book and dress it up with platform heels and a statement bag, or let your sneakerhead side show with an athletic shoe and a cropped jacket (See how the capsule wardrobe works together??) Follow T. Ray while you’re at it and check out my interview with her here!

Where to Find It: Fifth Sole Boutique, Meow and Barks Boutique

Which fall essentials do you have already and which ones do you need to stock up on?? Let me know in the comments!

Need help curating the perfect Fall/Winter wardrobe?? I can curate it for you. Contact me here to inquire about my personal and virtual styling services so we can execute amazing Autumn vibes together! New style content making its way to the blog very soon! Stay tuned!

-Sharra

“Empowering her evolution through her style.”

SHARRA'S NEW YORK FASHION WEEK SEPTEMBER 2021 RECAP: WITNESSING THE INNOVATIVE SHOWCASING OF MINORITY VOICES WITHIN FASHION

WRITTEN BY SHARRA GREENE

September is the January in fashion. It brings new trends, new concepts, and most importantly, change on every level.

Whenever I attend New York Fashion week, particularly in September, I’m always looking to see what new change is being represented on the runway, cutting through the noise and helping to transform what we wear and how we live. With Fashion Bomb Daily’s first official runway show on the September Fashion Week calendar, this change was not hard to find.

Fashion Bomb Daily has been my favorite fashion site since I was 12 years old. I remember abandoning my homework to scroll through endless content on my laptop, and always being inspired by how trailblazer and FBD founder & CEO Claire Sulmers created a hub specifically for the minority voices in fashion. When they announced their first annual #NYFW show, I had to be there because I knew I’d be witnessing a new platform being born that would catapult the black and minority voices to the forefront of the conversation, right where we belong. I was not at all disappointed.

WHAT I WORE

The show’s dress code was “Bet on Black”, so naturally I wanted my outfit to focus on black brands. My top is from House of Chic LA, my skirt is by Broken Land, and my bag is a Brandon Blackwood. (My shoes are from Public Desire). My soft glam makeup look is by @carmensartistry. Hit her up if you’re in the Manhattan area!

After getting some shots of my look with my photographer Monica Krystel Rose, I headed down the block to the The Sixth Floor Loft on Broadway in NYC for the show.

THE SHOW

The event brought out countless fashion figures & celebs from Rome Flynn to Sevyn Streeter, Jayda Cheaves, Dreamdoll, Ty Hunter, and so many more to witness a runway show that primarily highlighted the work of Black and Asian designer brands, an underrepresented group that often starts the trends that trickle up into the world of high fashion, and then gets excluded from the topic as if their influence never existed.

This is why I had to be apart of this. I always say, the more adversity, the more hungry and creative you tend to be. Just as I thought, I witnessed unique looks that explored innovative design techniques from 3D printing, to genius draping and mixing of textures, high level couture work, and so much more.

Image source: @taylar.chanell

After an amazing introduction by the lovely Bevy Smith, the show opened with Oyemwen giving us structured, tulle adorned pieces that were juxtaposed with blazer dresses and sharp cutouts, in their “back to business” collection that celebrated the return to getting dressed after a long pandemic of sweats.

Designer London Couture followed up with showstopping luxury gowns, adorned in feathers and luxurious fabrics, and designer Bree Billiter gave us an oceanic, ethereal showcase. (Check out my recap reel here for videos of my fave looks)

Image Source: Fashion Bomb Daily

Following the first show, Claire gave us a #convoswithclaire moment, featuring mini interviews with model & RHWOA star Cynthia Bailey, designer Shane Justin, & more.

I passed time in between shows by talking and taking selfies with the queen herself, Claire Sulmers, chopping it up with new friends, (I met a bomb style posse from ATL that I hung out with for the majority of the show, and making connections with showroom owners and other professionals.

My new boo, brand owner and Sheen Magazine contributor Taylar Chanell. Follow her @taylar.chanell!

Image source: Fashion Bomb Daily

The shows picked back up with designer Khang Le serving us the most eye catching 3D printed patterns and rich textures on luxe gowns and suit sets. I was OBSESSED. He was probably my fave show of the day.

Image source: Fashion Bomb Daily

Shane Justin gave us a true couture moment with his new line of sultry, sheer and embellished handcrafted gowns that he completed in 3 days! I was definitely impressed.

Image source: Fashion Bomb Daily

Mah Jing Wong, one of my fave Project Runway veterans, closed the show with an epic 80’s inspired moment. Co designer & influencer Stacie Wo gave us a commanding runway moment in a matching MJW set & bomber jacket, that garnered praise from the entire audience!

The show ended with a performance from music group JNA. I left the show feeling inspired, and most importantly, seen and acknowledged as a fellow black creative in fashion. Claire and her Fashion Bomb Daily team are curating a movement that is so necessary and needed in order to cement our legacy as black professionals in fashion.

If you know me, you know how much I love Eunice Walker Johnson, the founder and curator of Ebony Fashion Fair, a trailblazing annual exhibition that took place for decades, highlighting black designers, models, and behind the scenes pros alike. While I wasn’t born when Ebony Fashion Fair was around, watching Claire navigate her first fashion week event, reminded me of that very same legacy and mission that Eunice Walker Johnson carried out, one of unapologetic repping for the creative genius that she saw in her people, and that she was determined to bring to the forefront.

I can’t wait for the next NYFW. While this particular time was a quick stop by, I plan on staying multiple days next time! Which looks are your fave? Let me know in the comments!

Sharra,

“Empowering her evolution through style.”