Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Washington.
Hi Michelle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born and bred deep in the heart of Texas (yes, a real-life Austin native—rare as bluebonnets in December), I kicked off my journey with a Bachelor’s in Fashion Design from Baylor University. Later, I added a Master’s in Education to the mix—graduating Summa Cum Laude, because why not make excellence a habit?
My passport didn’t get stamped until fashion whisked me away to far-flung places, but trust—homegrown roots run deep. Back when I first entered the fashion world, seeing someone who looked like me in the industry—or on magazine covers—was uncommon. Naturally, my family raised an eyebrow (or two) wondering how I’d pay the bills with a dream wrapped in fabric and flair. Fast forward 20+ years later… let’s just say I’m BOOKED, BUSY, and still making fashion magic.
Fresh outta college, I hit the concrete jungle of NYC with starry eyes and a sketchbook, working for major design labels and dreaming of becoming the next big-name designer. But somewhere between fittings and fashion weeks, I discovered styling—and BABY, it was love at first wardrobe pull. Especially once Netflix called. (True story: I thought it was a prank…It wasn’t)
Now I juggle titles like I juggle handbags: Celebrity Fashion Stylist, GQ Insider, 3X Award-Winning Podcaster, and my favorite of all—TV Style Expert. I’ve appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, The CW, and Spectrum. I stay doing the most—but it’s all in the name of style, storytelling, and showing up for those who don’t always see themselves in fashion.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Let’s just say, I’ve had a few “plot twists” in my career. You know that cute idea where everything goes according to plan? Yeah… life quickly shredded that script. In this industry, people love to talk about waiting on their “big break,” like it’s some magical lottery ticket. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t exist. What does exist? Grit. Late nights. Hard work. And an unreasonable amount of caffeine.
I wasn’t handed anything—I built it. One stubborn step at a time. My family has a motto that lives rent-free in my head: “Don’t get ready… STAY ready.” And BABY, I’ve had doors slammed so hard in my face, I started bringing my own hinges. The “NOs”? I’ve heard ‘em all. Some said it politely. Some said it with silence. Either way, I thank every single one of ‘em—because they “accidentally” built my strength and resilience.
Success isn’t about the fall. It’s about the bounce. And trust me, I’ve become real good at bouncing back in heels.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Appearing on TV and calling myself just a ‘Fashion Stylist’ didn’t sit right. My career has evolved—I’m not just styling behind the scenes, I’m educating, analyzing trends, and bringing fashion expertise to the public in a way that is accessible. Plus, let’s be real, the title ‘Fashion Stylist’ is overused. I needed something that truly defined what I was bringing to the table. So I started introducing myself as a TV Style Expert, and let me tell you—people had never heard it before. I even created a hashtag, and at first? Zero hits. Now? Folks out here using it like they invented it! But hey, imitation is the highest form of flattery. I love that it’s caught on because it shows that I was ahead of the curve.
My “passion for fashion” grew into a passion for media and producing. WHEW, becoming a certified Producer wasn’t easy—it took serious training, education, and grit. But the reward? Telling stories that need to be told. My TV show Behind the SEAMS® isn’t just about clothes; it’s about the people behind the fashion—the successes, the struggles, the real business side of this industry. I love that I get to show fashion beyond the glitz and glam and highlight the work that goes into it. People need to know that fashion isn’t just about looking cute—FASHION is a BUSINESS, and like any business, there are wins and failures. If I can educate, inspire, and pull back the curtain? That makes it all worth it. I’m blessed to have a wonderful TV crew (they are the real talent of the TV show). Behind the SEAMS® has been recognized by the Gracie Awards! (Watch Behind the SEAMS® on TV or catch it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TVStyleExpertMichelle) Instagram: @behindtheseamstvshow
Bringing fashion and media together also paved a way for my own brand. I never gave up on my dream of having my own brand. The desire to create something unique that really reflected my experience, my style, and my values kept calling me. Michelle Washington® isn’t just a brand; it’s the culmination of years of learning, growing, and refusing to let go of my passion for fashion. I knew it was time to bring it to life. Like most designers, apparel is a part of my product assortment, but I couldn’t resists designing SHOES! As a GQ Insider, of course I’ve included men’s shoes. (Shop my website: www.stylistmichellewashington.com | Instagram: @michellewashingtonshoes)
What I offer with Michelle Washington® is quality. I’m not just creating shoes; I’m crafting timeless luxury made with attention to detail and superior materials. That’s my struggle—getting people to understand that you don’t have to settle for a mainstream brand names when you can have real craftsmanship. When it came time to launch my collection, I knew I needed to be in the heart of shoe-making history: Le Marche, Italy. This is where modern shoe-making was born, over 100 years ago. Le Marche is known as The Shoe Valley, and it’s been the world’s best shoe manufacturing district since 1901. It’s where quality and craftsmanship are rooted in tradition, and that’s exactly what I wanted for Michelle Washington®—a luxury collection made by the world’s best artisans.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Honestly, I don’t rely on apps or how-to books to do my best work. When it comes to perfecting my podcast and media projects, I go old-school—like, ink-on-your-fingers old-school. I dig into newspapers, magazines, and dusty archives like I’m on a stylish treasure hunt. Call me vintage, but that kind of deep research keeps my storytelling fresh and my voice original… no algorithm required.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stylistmichellewashington.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylistmichellew/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TVStyleExpertMichelleWashington
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tvstyleexpert
- Twitter: https://x.com/StylistMichelle
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tvstyleexpertmichelle
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-color-of-fashion/id1559446879
Image Credits
Main feature photo by: Josh Montoya
