We were lucky to catch up with Ivory Chana recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ivory thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

For as long as I can remember I have always had an interest in fashion. I didn’t think of pursuing a career in fashion until I started college. I was caught up in finding myself and trying to follow the path that was meant for me. Throughout this process I realized all I could think about were clothes and what outfit I want to wear for all of these different occasions. Fashion was a therapy for me and allowed me to express myself in a way I couldn’t verbally. It is something that comes natural to me. Because it was so personal for me, I decided to present myself as a fashion stylist and personal shopper while also making the brand completely inspired by me and my everyday looks. Chana, my middle name, opens up the creative and stylish side of me then I added chic because I feel everything that I create gives a chic aura. Being a creative is the best decision I’ve ever made.

Ivory, 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?

The fashion industry is a pretty big world to step into. There are so many different styles, brands, and designers that make fashion what it is today. Like most fashion influencers and stylist, we have used social media as a tool to brand ourselves and share the work that we do behind the scenes. In my journey of defining myself as a stylist, I had to figure out how I wanted to be involved in fashion. I decided to research different jobs that would involve me dealing with clothes but not exactly as a designer/seamstress. Fashion stylist was the perfect profession because I had found my passion of putting pieces together to make an entire ensemble. I thought to myself what’s better than playing dress up and making a whole brand out of it. Most of my clients need outfits for birthdays, photoshoots, events, and enhancing their everyday wardrobe.I provide clients with an experience that gives them the same I feeling I get when styling looks. I envision looks that best suit my client but also my aesthetic of style. I also help my clients as being their personal shopper, finding them everything they would love to have in their closet. My goal for Chana Chic is to be understood as a creative and for my supporters to know when it’s my creative work. I’m most proud of the trust that people give me to make them feel beautiful or look fly and succeeding. The difference with me and my brand is that Chana Chic is grounded with originality and the love of being inspired. I feel that allows me to be free within my brand but also an amazing stylist.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

It’s most rewarding for me to feel myself grow in life and grow as a stylist. I love that I’m able to admire myself during this process. There are no limits to what you set your mind to and you just have to trust every step that it takes to bring your visions to life. I am thankful for learning patience, being able to connect with people with similar interest, and pushing myself to be the woman I always wanted to be. My clients help show my appreciation for my gift through my work. I think all creatives can agree that when we acknowledge each others work it feels rewarding because we feel understood. Being able to express myself everyday is a very rewarding life for me.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience is a word I would use to describe how I’ve handled everything I’ve endured. Life completely stopped for me when something so traumatic happened. I was ran over by a car and it resulted in my body needing five months of healing. It was the first time that I was unable to connect from what kept me going for so long. I had to sit still and liberate my mind from the outside world. During that time the only focus I had was on myself and my sanity. I thank God for that space in my life because it assured the strength and resilience that I never knew I had. My trauma is a huge part of my journey and a reminder that I can overcome anything placed into my path. Although the healing continues, it has made me and my brand even stronger. Opening up about this experience has brought on a feeling of revival and I hope sharing this story gives inspiration for taking the lowest moment of life to embracing it as you elevate in life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: chanachic