We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Teren Robinson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Teren, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Fashion. Everyone has their own definition of what it is, what it should look like, and how it should be presented to the world. Personally, I think fashion is like a science laboratory. You get to experiment all day, with different aesthetics, vibes, pieces, silhouettes, and colors. I don’t think that fashion is a “Man” or “Woman” thing, I think fashion is for everyone, and people should not be told what they can or cannot wear because of what they look like on the outside, it’s what you feel on the inside that you want to portray on the outside.

Teren, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Teren “Teddy Stylez” Robinson. I am a creative visionary, or experimentalist if you will. I am a creative for the masses who lets my bold personality, style, and eye for fashion speak for me, and i want to share that message with the world. Based in Los Angeles, California, I have goals on expanding my creativity, brand and talent worldwide with the help of my bold creativity, hunger for knowledge, and drive.

I got into fashion in high school. I would always find it so hard for me to shop for clothes, I was never in the “slim” or “normal” size range. So i said, “why not learn how to make clothes for myself, and all of those other beautiful plus sized bodies around me who are into fashion like i am?” I started looking into schools that had fashion programs that were in California, I wasn’t ready to leave Cali just yet even tho i probably should have lol. I didn’t have the best journey educationally but everyone’s journey is different. I started styling, mostly on myself and my bestfriend while getting an intro into the fashion industry at school. I also have had the opportunity to intern for an indie designer named Dymond Warren aka D.HaleterDesigns, where i learned a lot more about the concept of design as well as what i am learning in school.

I call myself a creative just as an umbrella term because, at the moment, i wear many hats: Designer, Stylist, Creative Director, Photographer (just for fun more-so for funds, but will take a client every blue moon for a shoot).

As for fashion, I am working on creating a genderless brand for the masses, name is in the works. I want to let the people of the world know that fashion is for everyone, no matter your color, size, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression. There is a fashionable space to be held for everyone around these parks. Right now, everything i have made has been custom orders, and i have taken on majority “plus-size” or “full-figure” clients, because they deserve to look just as good as their smaller counterparts. I want my clients to know that i am not a designer for the faint at heart, I want them to experiment, go crazy, show as much skin as they want, BRING THE CHAOS!!!!! And i am most proud of myself for sticking to that and providing that space for my clients.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I had a major shift in my career, education and life. As i had stated before, i am going to school for fashion design. I started out at one school, was there for 4 years, i had about a year and a half left before graduation and i felt stuck. I felt like i wasn’t learning ANY concepts of design and garment construction. I felt like my life was going nowhere. I was depressed, I was in shambles. I had never cried to my parents about my education before until this point of time. So i up and left that school, i took a year off, started an internship, got a job and worked my ass oof for that year before getting back into the swing of being in school. 3 years later, I am at a new school due to graduate in Fall 2023!!! I also am much happier with where i am at educationally and where i am in my career. I may not have hit it big yet but i know my time is on the way.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish i knew more about the softwares they have for fashion design. There are literally so many!!! But, Independent creatives are not allotted the same opportunities to access these softwares because they are so expensive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://terenrobinson.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teddystylez/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/teddystylez

Image Credits
Image 1 (with hair flip): model – Bijan Ross @BijanRoss, Photographer – Sarah Pardini @sarahpardini, Makeup Artist – Brit Phatal @therealbritphatal . photoshoot for Jeffrey Campbell Shoes styled by me and denim skirt designed by me Image 3 (Blue Leopard): Model – Lydia @lookingforlids, brand – A + Los Angeles, Styled by Me, Construction of outfit – Dymond Warren @Dhaleterdesigns