Check out this interview “Pretty In Penury” blog did on me last month. I give a fab shoutout to my fly mom, state my closet must have, who I admire in the industry, among other tid-bits! Thanks ladies! Honored to be featured on your blog : )
Interview with Joy Adaeze If you are a avid reader of blogs, especially during Fashion Week, then you should know this face.
Her style is eclectic and the New York Times and Italian Vogue seem to admire it just as much as we do.
Introducing Joy Adaeze!
Name: Joy Adaeze
Occupation: fashion stylist/blogger/image consultant
Contributor to Huffington Post Black Voices & Heritage1960.com
Hometown: Paramus NJ by way of Houston, TX! I am Nigerian-American.
Current Location: Harlem baby!
What is your current career and what started you on this path?
I currently work as a fashion stylist, style blogger and image consultant. My interest to be a stylist peaked when I worked as a fashion intern for WWD. There, I was able to learn the ins and outs of styling from the talented editors I assisted. That really laid the groundwork for me. Around the same time, I started working with my mentor & boss Constance White (current Editor-in-Chief of ESSENCE). I assisted her on shoots and helped style her fashion segments for NBC & Today Show. It was such an amazing experience to work with her so closely. She is a true icon in this industry! I started blogging as a creative outlet to show my unique personal style. I love it and I am so grateful to have such fabulous readers. They send me the sweetest emails of how my blog inspires them. That means the world to me. The reason I blog is to inspire. I started my image consulting business several years ago as a way to help men and women look great everyday. I help them hone into their personal style and then we build on that. I organize their closet, do their personal shopping and style them. I love that styling, blogging and image consulting are all passions of mine. It makes work and life that much more enjoyable!
Who do you admire in your field?
Constance White, Freddie Leiba, blogger Jane Aldridge (Sea of Shoes).
What does a regular day on the job look like for you?
As a freelance stylist & image consultant there really is no regular day in my line of work, which I love! I never know what amazing project is coming up next. One day I’ll be prepping for a styling project which requires pulling samples and researching the story/theme. The next day I’ll be on set for the shoot. Yet the next- I’ll be working with a client at his/her home organizing their closet. And the next day- shopping for clothes and accessories for my client, then having a fitting. I update my essence.com “Daily Style Chronicles” blog everyday and my joyadaeze.com blog every other day.
How do you stay fly on a dime?
I’ve never believed you had to spend lots of money to be stylish. It’s all about being creative. I love vintage and thrifting. I love a good sale. Sample sales are my bff! Mixing high and low is the way to go. My rule of thumb that I tell all my clients: Spend more for the classic staples that you will wear for years. Spend less on trendy items.
What does art and fashion mean to you?
I love art and fashion. I feel like fashion is such a gift. We get joy from looking good. This in turn makes us feel good! How amazing is that? Nothing better. Art is a big inspiration for me. I love going to exhibits and museums. It feeds my creativity and makes me a better stylist.
Is/Was your mama a fashion lover too?
My mom is the flyest woman I know. She was the first person in my life that I watched and learned about what true personal style is. She is so creative! She loves customizing her clothes and she taught me how to sew by hand. My mom kept a lot of her clothes from the 80s and gave them to me. I have been in love with vintage since high school, thanks to her. She is the best! I love her so much : )
If you could work with one celebrity, besides me, who would it be?
Solange! We share a love of mixing prints, color and turbans. She would be a joy to style!
If you could style me, what would be my “look?”
This is always the most fun part of getting to know my client’s personal style. We would first have a conversation about your likes and dislikes. Then I would have a better view of where to get started. Having this conversation is key because your style has to bring out the best in you. You have to feel good about it.
What is one closet must have?
My Ankara turbans! This has become a trademark of mine.
What’s one trend that you wish would die and never come back?
Crocs!!!
Any last words?
Thanks for all of the support and I am so happy to be apart of this : )
xoxo
Joy Adaeze
