We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Onaje Taylor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Onaje, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I studied those who were thriving in the career that I wanted to excel in. I studied mainstream and local wardrobe stylists and costumers. I snagged retail jobs where you basically learn customer service and style people of all ages and backgrounds everyday. I volunteered , read and researched and still do.
Going to a fashion school may have sped up the learning process but I made my own way and made the best of my resources.
Managing time between school and working to pay the bills were obstacles that often times hindered me from learning more.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a creative director, wardrobe stylist and entrepreneur. I started in 2012, directing and styling shoots in college shortly after started my tenure of working in fashion retail for companies such as Steve Madden, 7 For All Mankind, Neiman Marcus and Saks 5th Avenue.
Networked, shadowed, volunteered and soaked all the information from those who were successful in the business of wardrobe styling. From there I was able to gain opportunities to style musical artists, entrepreneurs and models. It seemed like it took forever, but it was worth it being published in Vogue Italia in February 2021.
I’m proud that I was able to follow the vision despite the fear of failing and disappointment. Sometimes all you have to do is start and stay the course. I’m proud that I still strive to further myself in this discipline.
My inspirations are drawn from feeling, nostalgia, color and all things classic. I strive to elevate looks and create moments.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My mission is to show that your creative passion does not just have to remain a hobby. My goal is to show that you can make not only a lane for yourself, but a life of abundance where you can take care of your family, grow multiple businesses and inspire a new generation of creatives. I want to show that you don’t have to be a “struggling artist” forever, you can thrive in your passion.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Pay artists and creatives what they deserve. The term starving artist is not just a word but a reality that many in the industry have to face one way or another. I’ve personally witnessed where individuals are not properly compensated and sometimes not at all for the time, effort and sometimes their own funds spent on projects they work on. People see a beautiful painting in a luxury building or how well their favorite actor/actress is put together on an appearance, but don’t see the grueling hours and craftmanship that the team behind it put into what’s seen. Creatives do not deserve struggle for their contributions.
Society should also educate the upcoming creatives and artists on business and financial practices that will be beneficial to them in the long run.
More opportunities should be created in and out of the corporate world to fill positions where creatives are needed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kavyar.com/j9vxiamkozwr
- Instagram: @thewardrobeconnect
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/onaje-taylor-38b397104/
Image Credits:
Photography: Tatyanna Chamere @tatyannachamere Brandon M. @_b.media Marquise Eppinger Mel B Elder @melbelderjr Lei Phillips @leiphillips Samuel Oluwafemi @sabo24fps MUA Yanik Lunford @yanikbeaute Ciara Nicolet @maatskinlove Marquis Ward @marquiswardbeauty Kalene Gentles @essentialartistry Models Jalene @_slaylene Rian Mobley @_riaaannn Sefora Adjaho @setforamodel Jermi @jermii Nova Stevens @thenovastevens Isaac Webster @realisaacwebster Rocki @officiallyrocki_ Sade Myasia @sademyasia Hairstylists: Byron Marcelle @b_marcelle Tellye @tellyetouched.it Designers: Shontay Racquel @shontayracquel Wardrobe Styling: @TheWardrobeConnect