Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bebe Couri . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Bebe , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?
I hope my legacy will be one for the ages. A person who no matter what adversity, let anything stop them.
Bebe , 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 Bebe Couri, I am a wardrobe stylist and Creative Director. Born and raised in Cincinnati Ohio, I knew that I was always a little different. I stood out from the crowd. But of course, being born in ”the hood” there is always a sense of hiding that part of me, as a defense mechanism in to protect myself.
When I started my fashion journey, I actually lied to get into a fashion show. A designer by the name of Linda love, seen me walking around my job and ask her tomorrow. Of course, I said yes. Which I had never done before. She invited me to her house to do a fitting and to watch my runway walk. I had practiced 100 times before I got there from videos off of YouTube, and to my surprise, I did fairly well, so she casted me.
From the first moment I hit the runway I fell in love with it. The lights, the camera the people applauding. But I knew that it was something more that I could offer. So I began to search and found a sense of style and uniqueness for myself, which I called “Femme-Male”. And after the first show, I began to scout for photographers and more shows to be a part of. There were some tough times, and some things that I felt turned me away from the fashion industry, but that never stopped me.
Fast forward at work to gain certain access to individuals in the fashion community in Cincinnati, and began to make a name for myself. I began to not only model on the runway, but I began to do model coaching, styling and Runway coordination. And still I was not satisfied.
Years later, at the age of 27 I had the bright idea to move to California, with my goals, insight set on Hollywood. After my move, I feel I was blessed to be in a position to style for a model with a really dope designers clothing. Ms Alani Taylor. Once the photos she was completed the designer seen my work and wanted to meet me. That was the day that my life changed.
Not only did we meet and put together one of L.A biggest shows, but it moved me from Stylist to Creative Director. As a two-man team, we begin to take on many projects, and I began to the gain larger recognition.
As of today, the brand and myself have relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. Where we work out of The Lab Factory ATL, a retail and manufacturing building.
Looking back on my journey, and, my biggest accomplishment was never giving up. Always remembering that where I came from was just the start. Through all the adversities from leaving home and working to make it big. I wouldn’t change a thing about my journey.
Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?
I can’t say that I almost missed anything. But who knows that if I kept that same mentality, I’ve been at home where it was safest and comforting. I may have never taken that leap to move across country and fulfill many dreams of mine.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Moving to California was very challenging financial wise. Though I moved out to California as a store manager for a retail store, making really good money. I knew that I didn’t want to continue the journey so I made the ultimate decision to quit and walk on faith. This presented many challenges, but it also had me to restore my belief in my faith, and then myself. There’s nothing or no one could or would ever stop me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Just1_bebe
- Facebook: Bebe Couri