We were lucky to catch up with Adrianna Dyson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Adrianna, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

“Maddie knew who she was from a very early age.” Growing up, I was surrounded by adults and older kids who engaged in various forms of art. Whether it was painting, making clothes, crafting, drawing, dancing, or even music, these people had a huge impact on me, and their creativity became ingrained in me. I began drawing as soon as I could hold a pencil or crayon. Not just your average stick figures, but people, objects, cars, and more. Eventually, I started drawing wedding dresses. At one point in my life, I dreamed of becoming a famous bridal designer, living in Paris, with boutiques in Miami.

In elementary school, I began painting—not just finger painting, but using an actual canvas, easel, and brush. My art teachers were always impressed with my work and how detail-oriented I was. My pieces were frequently showcased in art exhibitions. Receiving validation from adults and peers outside of my family confirmed to me that this was my destiny. At one point, I even wanted to be an art teacher. I aspired to do it all—art teacher by day and fashion designer by night.

Adrianna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

In 2017, while attending Virginia State University, I had friends who pledged in D9 sororities and fraternities. During these special moments in their lives, I created gifts for their probates to celebrate their achievements. As others started noticing my work, I found myself making probate gifts for everyone who crossed in the Spring and Fall of 2017-2019. Although creating these gifts was fun, I knew I had more to share with the world.

My first foray into the fashion creative space came in 2018 when I launched Styled by Adri, a wardrobe styling service. This service offered closet revamps, personal shopping, and styling for events and photoshoots. I had always been the go-to person in my family and among friends for fashion advice or finding outfits for special occasions. You know that one friend in the group who loves fashion? Yeah, that’s me! So, I decided to tap into that passion, and who knew it would lead me to New York Fashion Week (NYFW)? Attending NYFW had been on my bucket list for years, and I finally got the chance to style shows and work with celebrities. Eventually, I was even hired as a personal shopper.

I like to build connections with my clients, so they don’t think I’m just in it for the money—especially when it comes to styling. During consultations, I focus on understanding their interests, wants, and needs to help them make sense of their closets. My goal is to ensure that everyone feels heard and confident whenever they step out.

I’m most proud of the art I’ve created over the past two years. Seeing my work online and in print gives me the validation that I’m on the right path—that I didn’t come this far just to come this far. I love that my parents can see the great things their only child has accomplished, especially since they initially thought I was crazy when I told them I wanted to be a stylist rather than pursue a career in Psychology, which I studied in school. They didn’t really understand what a stylist did or how significant the role is. It’s also incredibly rewarding when my friends and family gas me up on social media after I share archived work that I’ve been eager to show them for months. Those wins are what I’m most proud of.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being both an artist and a creative is that I get to do what I love and make the inner child in me happy! All I ever wanted to do as I got older was to create art. Being creative has helped me achieve everything I’ve set out to accomplish. Yes, some days I’m not always in the mood to be creative, or my mind goes blank for a moment. But when I look back at everything I’ve accomplished and how far I’ve come as a creative, it gives me the extra push I need. As long as I’m making both younger and current Adrianna happy, nothing else matters.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

When I began my creative journey with crafts, I used Instagram and Twitter to their full capacity to get my work out there, build a name for myself, and market my creations. I wish I had known about local pop-up shops, art exhibits where I could showcase my work, and artist events; I believe these opportunities would have been beneficial during the off-season for probates. As for my styling career, I wish I had put a bit more effort into marketing my business, such as leaving flyers or business cards in small businesses or even posting flyers around town to attract more clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/styledbyadri
• Instagram: @astoldbyadri__
• Twitter: @astoldbyadri__

Image Credits

The bold and beautiful cover: photographer Jason McQuan. First stylist: Jasmine Safiiã
Second stylist: Adrianna Dyson.

Men’s photoshoot for PRPS: Photographer Molly Jiyoon Lee, First stylist: Jamie Huggins, Second stylist: Adrianna Dyson