Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Eliza Gray. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Eliza, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I have always been in love with fashion and I have had the pleasure of experiencing almost every facet. I have had the honor of working and attending multiple fashion week events, managing my own shows, working wholesale, e commerce, luxury wardrobe styling, AND photography.

I basically just jumped in where I was needed in New York and LA and made the most of my connections. I was always genuinely curious about how different facets of the fashion industry worked and how the departments worked together. I think a lot of my connections came from just being genuinely curious about other people and always being willing to learn.

Eliza, 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?

I am an Image and Events Consultant and have been called a “Renaissance Woman” since my background can be applied to so many different elements. I have done visual merchandising, styling, fashion show production, etc. The common ground between all categories is a desire to put my clients best foot forward and in front of their ideal customer or vision. A lot of creatives are forced to be in a box for the comfort of others, I have always leaned into being multi dimensional and open to what is needed from me in the moment. To me the goal is the same whether it’s personal styling, planning an event, or assisting with an e commerce website. The goal in my head is to get you from point A (what your brand currently looks like) to point B (what you want it to look like).

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

That what you are passionate about and what you do for income go hand in hand from the start of your career. I definitely had to get a dose of reality when I started in sales. I was always a top preformer or working towards being once for most of my career. It was sort of an unhealthy goal of mine. This I realized the more I did what an employer wanted, the less I looked like me.

That does not mean everyone’s dream career doesn’t exist, but for me personally I had to understand that one funds the other, until one day they meet if you keep working at it. I feel like for me that didn’t start to show until about year 5.

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

Find the companies you want to work for and add your ideal leaders on LinkedIn. I always like to surround myself with people that help me get closer to my dreams. I want to know how they think, the events they attend, where they go out to dinner. It sounds kind of creepy lol, but to me don’t you want to know how someone living your dream life lives day to day? It helps me keep my dreams within my eye line so they feel reachable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elizacgray.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afros.and.cashmere/