We were lucky to catch up with Kari Cummings recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kari, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry.

One of the biggest trends I’m seeing in fashion right now is the resurgence and reappreciation of archival fashion. And not just vintage for the sake of being old, but a real love for past collections, runway moments, and silhouettes that shifted the culture. People are digging into designer histories, researching runway shows from the ’90s and early 2000s, and hunting down rare pieces that hold meaning and not just status.

This trend is definitely layered. On one hand, it’s about sustainability and rejecting fast fashion. But on the deeper end, it’s about reclaiming fashion as art. As a stylist and creative director, I’ve always treated clothes like pieces in a story. Now the audience is catching up and people want narrative, rarity, and depth in their wardrobe.

I had a client recently, she’s a professional athlete, super tapped into her identity—who said she didn’t want to wear anything “current” for her tunnel looks. She wanted to feel like an icon already, not like she was just following what’s hot. I ended up sourcing this insane Jean Paul Gaultier mesh set from the early 2000s, and when she put it on, the energy shifted. She stood different. Posed different. And the photos? Gave editorial meets time capsule. That moment clicked for me that archival fashion isn’t about nostalgia, it’s about legacy.

The opportunity here is huge, especially for stylists and creatives who can source, authenticate, and re-contextualize these pieces for modern storytelling. But there’s a flip side, of course, the concern is exclusivity. As demand rises, prices go crazy, and it becomes inaccessible to people without deep pockets or deep connects. That’s when the gatekeeping starts. That’s why I’m big on platforming black-owned vintage sellers and underrepresented designers who also carry archival gems. We can’t romanticize the past without remembering who was erased from it.

So while archival fashion is trending, I don’t see it as a trend… I see it as a return! A reminder that fashion is meant to last, speak, and evolve.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Kari Cummings, a published fashion stylist, creative director, and founder of Formula 7, my emerging fashion brand. But more than that—I’m a visual storyteller. I help people step into their highest selves through style, mood, and intention.

I got into this industry the way a lot of black women do: naturally, instinctively, and on our own terms. I was always the one putting together different looks, bursting out with creative output, making everyday moments feel cinematic. But it wasn’t until I started working behind the scenes, doing editorials, artist rollouts, and brand campaigns—that I realized this wasn’t just something I was good at. It was a calling. I officially stepped into fashion styling and creative direction a few years ago, and it’s been nonstop growth since.

Right now, I offer:
• Fashion styling for personal clients, artists, and brands
• Creative direction for campaigns, photoshoots, and product launches
• Brand styling & image consulting, especially for emerging talent and women-led businesses
• I also recently launched “The Muse”, a special service where I style everyday women as editorial muses in exchange for content, helping build their confidence and portfolio at the same time.

What sets me apart is that I’m not just chasing aesthetics. I’m building experiences. I understand the emotional and energetic side of style. I’ve styled women coming out of tough transitions, artists rebranding after creative droughts, and entrepreneurs trying to align their look with their legacy. I help people align their visuals with their value.

I’m most proud of how I’ve built my brand from scratch with no handouts, no big agency backing, just vision and execution. Being featured in Vibe Magazine was a huge moment for me. It affirmed that my voice, my eye, and my direction resonates.

What I want people to know is that my work is about intention. I’m not here to follow trends—I’m here to help shape culture. Formula 7 is going to be an extension of that: an expression of high-concept fashion rooted in storytelling, aura, and innovation. I’m building a brand that honors individuality, but still knows how to lead the wave.

At the end of the day, I want my clients and followers to feel seen, inspired, and elevated through my work. Whether I’m styling you for a shoot, building your image from the ground up, or launching a campaign in the desert—I’m pouring all my energy, soul, and creativity into it. Always.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I built my audience by being intentional and consistent way before anything ever went viral. I started by sharing my styling work and behind-the-scenes content, showing the process, not just the end result. I made sure my posts told a story and reflected my eye as a creative.

Then I had one post take off—it hit over 150,000 likes—and that moment changed everything. A lot of people discovered me through that look and connected with my style, my energy, and how I put things together. But it wasn’t luck—it was the result of the groundwork I had already laid and continue to lay.

My advice?
• Don’t chase trends and be authentic to what you’re building.
• Post with purpose, even if your following is small.
• Let people see the story, not just the outcome.
• And most importantly: be consistent, even when it’s quiet.

That’s how you build something real.

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

Absolutely. I wish I had known earlier about the power of creative business resources… not just inspiration, but infrastructure. Things like contracts, rate calculators, pitch templates, and licensing guides would’ve saved me a lot of confusion and undercharging in the beginning.

I also wish I tapped into platforms like Notion or Airtable sooner for organizing my shoots, moodboards, client info, and timelines. Having a system is a game changer when you’re juggling multiple creative roles.

And honestly? I wish someone told me early on to find a creative community! Whether it’s a group chat, a Discord, or a local networking event. Having people to bounce ideas off of, vent to, or collaborate with makes the journey feel way less isolating.

You can have the eye, the talent, and the vision but if you don’t have the structure, it’s easy to burn out or get stuck.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://noirecreativestudio1.as.me/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noirestyledme?igsh=MW5tc2d4cmMxM3UwMQ==

Image Credits

Raylon Wright
Rob Nostalgic