“Styling isn’t about creating your vision for a person, but the vision they have of themselves. There are plenty of ways to blend aesthetics so that the inspiration might come from one place, but it’s still true to the wearer.” - Alissa Donai Taylor

Wise words from Stephens Alum, Alissa Taylor. Who studied Apparel Studies at Stephens College; located in Columbia, Missouri. Alissa is familiar with styling and designing (as she has styled rapper Dreamdoll on multiple occasions). When we look at these magazine pictures and posts on social media and see these glamorous Hollywood stars and celebrities dressed in fine drapes, dresses, and designs we can’t help but to think of who all put this together.

Being a stylist takes hard work and dedication but more so of learning your client and executing a striking look that will be talked about for centuries to come. Over the years I have followed plenty of fashion designers, multi disciplinary artists and stylists and as much as I enjoy them all, there are some who I have watched for years. Who have built an amazing platform for themselves and continue to create outstanding work.

St Louis stylist, designer, and entrepreneur Jason Bolden (who has also had a hit show called Styling Hollywood with his Fiance, Adair Curtis) came onto the scene not too long ago ready to change the way we see Hollywood celebs. Jason began in retail for luxury ready to wear houses such as Gucci and Oscar De La Renta. After he completed his mission there, Jason then went farther to New York City (the fashion capital) and opened up a vintage store named The Garment Room , where he would curate collections for the store and collaborated with designers who needed guidance with inspiration for their upcoming collections. Immediately after Jason was dressing his celebrity friends for appearances and with enough recognition he slowly became known as a fashion stylist.

When it comes to styling his clients, Jason insists on listening to his clients first then selecting garments after. “I don’t really pay attention to what they’re wearing,” he said. “I begin to listen to them and that’s the missing link. Like fashion in general, I think we decide to enforce these laws and not really hear what the person actually wants or does not want.”

When dressing clients, Jason likes to keep his options open, as he sometimes brings 1 or 2 dresses to fittings for celebrities. “The one thing that is very obvious to me, I like to stay away from things that just don’t politically feel right—physically, socially, emotionally,” he said. “I like to suggest things to my clients that everybody else, when they see it walk down the runway, they say no.” Jason’s client list ranges from superstar actress Yara Shahidi, comedian Trevor Noah, and popular film director Ava DuVerney. He has also styled actresses Mindy Kaling, Amandla Steinberg, Taraji P. Henson, and the list goes on and on.

I think the super special thing about Jason is the work he puts in the fashion industry to collaborate with more black models, interns, and designers. It’s important to Jason that the fashion industry becomes more socially aware of racism, classism, and colorism and not to keep quiet but to speak up and become more active in the more important things.

“Hiring needs to be in executive suites and that’s what I fight for everyday. These are the people that hold so much financial value and they also have such a huge stake in fashion jobs, and I’m fighting and making sure that everyone is super conscious when it comes to hiring people. The hiring system should not look the same that it has for the past five years.” I believe that Jason is doing an amazing job and I’m excited to see his work all across the Hollywood red carpets. From watching Styling Hollywood, I know that a tremendous amount of work and EFFORT goes into being a stylist.

As I am always amazed by Rihanna’s eccentric style I can’t help but to wonder, if she does it all by herself or if she has a team of people who help her pick out looks for some of her top notch carpet appearances. As I looked further into research, I couldn’t help but to see this wonderful guy, Jahleel Weaver stand by her side.

Jahleel is probably the luckiest guy in the world, (well besides ASAP Rocky, Rihanna’s boo who she has a baby by now.) as he is Rihanna’s deputy creative director of Fenty (which is not a thing anymore), it was a women’s ready to wear and accessories line. Jahleel often spends his days working alongside Rihanna and her team to create fashion ideas for her billionaire businesses. Jahleel was actually a part of the making of her beauty line, Fenty Beauty (which has accumulated $570 million since its start in 2018.) and Savage X Fenty, her line of lingerie that represents every body type in inclusive designs and colors.

When speaking of Jahleel, the superstar singer says “The most valuable thing Jahleel brings to the process, is his complete understanding of my vision.” Although Jahleel has such an exciting and exceptional career now, it was a long way to get there. At 18, Jahleel moved from the suburban streets of Maryland to New York to study fashion design at LIM College. To support himself throughout college, Weaver worked in sales at Jeffrey, a high end retailer known for its extensive shoe department and attentive customer service. It was at Jeffrey’s where he met many famous clients and began to style several. Aside from that, he worked as a freelance stylist and at one of his gigs he met Mel Otternberg, who is Interview Magazine’s creative director.

Otternberg was collaborating with Rihanna on her 2011 Loud Tour and courted Jahleel to assist him. Weaver then began his life long friendship/partnership with Rihanna and began traveling over the globe with her. Even the late great Virgil Abloh, Off White fashion designer, enjoyed Rihanna’s and Weaver’s creative relationship. He stated “the creative dynamic between Rihanna and Mr. Weaver has resulted in looks that are cemented within popular culture.”

As he continues to work alongside Rihanna, he can’t help but to thank her for the wonderful opportunities along the way. “Because of people like Ri constantly breaking barriers, it makes it a lot easier to exist in a space where representation for people of color didn’t necessary exist.” I couldn’t agree more with Jahleel.