We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Steven Williams a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Steven, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I first knew I wanted to be in the creative field during my first year of college. I did not study fashion at all, I was a psychology major. However, I was always admiring someones personal style and loved going to the fashion shows on campus. I styled my first two models and had a photo shoot in 2016.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Born and raised in Baltimore; I was always fixated on the arts. From acting and music to painting, I immersed myself in the art world. I since found my true calling was fashion. From an early age I was unsatisfied with “traditional” styles, and started to create ensembles that provoke confidence and power instead.
I ventured into wardrobe styling after attending Morgan State University, drawing inspiration from my frequent visits to New York City. I then created Opulent Styles in the spring of 2020. Opulent Styles is a lifestyle brand that embodies luxury, elegance, and uniqueness. Opulent Styles offers wardrobe styling, personal shopping, wardrobe revamping and more.
I specialize in womenswear and avant-garde style fashion and looks. I enjoy using colors to portray a story or emotion. My motto is “When you look good, you feel good”!
My work has been featured on the LED billboard in downtown Baltimore, I am published in Spain in a magazine called “Via Donna Spain” which was super exciting! My ultimate goal is celebrity styling. This year I have ventured into designing which is fun but at the same time challenging but I don’t give up!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Being resilient is a trait that I have carried since a young boy. A time where I’ve showed my resilience was when I almost gave up my fashion career completely.
It was a very hard time for me. I was in and out of jobs (I really wanted a creative or fashion gig but in my area it’s so hard to find one that fits my needs) so I went into this really bad depression. I was not appreciating my art and could not see the light in being a fashion stylist. I desperately needed money and my career was not bringing in too much money at the time, so I said I am going to stop and get a regular job working a boring 9-5.
After a week or so of having those thoughts I tapped back into myself and seen my light again! I knew this career would be difficult and not a journey for the weak hearted, which I am not. I bounced back and submitted some of my work and that submission got me featured on a billboard in my hometown! I had to remember to keep pushing and to never give up because in the end it will all be worth it!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of my biggest lessons I had to unlearn (well still unlearning lol) is NOT TO TAKE EVERYTHING PERSONAL! I am a “wear my heart on my sleeve” kind of guy. The older I got, the more it didn’t benefit me.
I had to unlearn that habit and learn to express myself and emotions in an articulate way. Most of times I took things personally it was because I was in my head trying to decipher what and why this person would say or do this. Eventually, I learned that it has nothing to do with me and all with the other person. That is helping me a lot currently.
As a creative i’m naturally sensitive about my work so when I start to take
things too personally it interferes with my creative life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://opulentstyle.wixsite.com/ostyles22
- Instagram: @scoobasteve21
- Other: linktree.com/stevethestylist
Image Credits
Kamera Breland Briana Knox Winfield Hopkins Simona Kay Tyshia Jackson Anthony M