Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Washington.
Hi Michelle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born, raised, and educated in Texas (international travel later became a benefit of my fashion industry career). It’s rare in Texas these days, but I’m an Austin native and a graduate of Baylor University where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design. Later, I decided to pursue my Master’s Degree in Education (Summa Cum Laude). When I started in the fashion industry, there were not very many African-Americans and even fewer magazines showing people of color. Naturally, my family was concerned about how I would make a living in fashion. Here I am 20+ years later… BOOKED and BUSY! I lived in NYC right after my college graduation, I worked for different well-known design labels with the intention of working in fashion as a designer. Having pursued design for a while and learning about all of the different jobs and responsibilities in the fashion industry, my interest changed. I thought I wanted to be a designer. After years of close collaborations with multiple apparel professionals and fashion creative teams, my interest changed to my love of styling (especially after I was hired by Netflix to style a celebrity). I wear multiple hats: Celebrity Fashion Stylist, GQ Insider, 2X Award Winning Podcaster…many titles, all hard work. My most important title: TV Style Expert. I’ve been fortunate to work with, host and appear on: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, The CW and Spectrum.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’m no stranger to obstacles…I’ve had many in my career. Just like anything in life, plans are only a suggestion and you cannot expect anything to adhere to the most carefully drafted plans. People talk about when you get “your big break” in the industry. Truth, there is no such thing as a big break. There IS such a thing as HARD WORK, that’s all I have ever known. No one has ever given me anything. My family has a saying “Don’t get ready… STAY ready”. I’ve had more than 101 doors slammed in my face and twice as many “NO’s”. I am thankful for all of those who said NO to me. It’s because of the “NO’s” and “gatekeepers” that I forged a spirit to succeed. It’s not about how many times you get knocked down, but it’s about what you do when you get back up.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I EXCLUSIVELY style for magazines, TV personalities, and celebrities. As a TV Style Expert, my role also includes TV appearances (emcee and hosting) and working TV stations, publishers, designers, PR and marketing agencies. My work is not easy and I LOVE every minute of it.
I’m always BOOKED and BUSY! I can be found constantly working on new projects, constant research, as well as preparing for TV segments. I have a serious caffeine habit! I usually start my day with a bunch of emails to read and answer, followed by meetings, a lot of fashion trending research, then showroom appointments to prepare for photoshoots.
• I have a 2X award winning podcast that has grown internationally “The Color of Fashion™”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-color-of-fashion/id1559446879
• I have on online MASTERCLASS “Owning Your Style”: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/masterclass-owning-your-style-376429
• I have a LUXURY shoe line “Michelle Washington™” handcrafted in Italy (B2B and DTC). I design shoes for both men and women. All orders ship directly from Italy: https://www.aliveshoes.com/brand/michellew
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
It’s rare to hear anyone say “I have no regrets and would do nothing differently,” but each moment (failures included) has taught me something and prepared me for the next phase of my career. I was trained with all the skills and software capabilities of a designer, textile designer, pattern maker, seamstress and fashion merchandiser. I found the diversity of my education necessary throughout my lifetime in the fashion industry; even now (this was way before styling class and styling degrees were created). My education provided me with well-rounded skills. Above all, I’ve learned to be a fierce problem solver as well as the importance of being my AUTHENTIC self.
Contact Info:
- Email: fashionstylistmichelle@
gmail.com - Website: https://www.
stylistmichellewashington.com/ - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/stylistmichellew - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
FashionStylistMichelleWashingt on - Twitter: https://twitter.com/
StylistMichelle - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@
tvstyleexpertmichellew
Image Credits
All photos are selfies EXCEPT for the full-body image by Cody Kinsfather
