We were lucky to catch up with Yolanda (YORO) Newson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Yolanda (YORO), looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents have always supported whatever I wanted to do a long time ago, if I wanted to color my hair hot pink, or cut up a sweatshirt so that I could repurpose it into three pieces to wear to a party, I had their blessing, and with that my creative journey fire was lit. My Father was the 1st creative entrepreneur that I had the pleasure to sit under and as I did, I gained the skill and love for working with my hands. He was a fisherman and made his own fishing sinkers at my childhood home. He had a melting pot, fishing sinker molds, and all the equipment that went along with it. He would let me trim the flash from the sinkers once they cooled and every weekend, he would let me sell them on his favorite fishing banks and made sure that I made a profit. He would always say if you teach a man how to fish, he will eat forever and that’s why I have enjoyed the successes that I have to date because he and my mother were amazing examples of what determination and hard work look like. Now that both are in heaven, I strive to make them proud by keeping the same qualities that they instilled in me towards my businesses.

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?

Let me introduce myself to some and present myself to others, my name is Yolanda Newson aka Yoro in the fashion community. I’m a native St. Louisan and I grew up on the Northside of St. Louis also known as “Old North St. Louis” I’ve been in the fashion industry for over 10 years as a self-taught award-winning jewelry designer. I am also a wardrobe/buyer stylist as well as an Art gallery participant and an Art show curator. Some of my pieces have been featured in multiple magazine publications, red carpets, film sets, art galleries and runway shows and on celebrities. My most memorable accomplishments must be styling celebrity, Ms. Jenifer Lewis, affectionately known as The Black Mother of Hollywood for her documentary that she filmed in her native city Kinloch Mo, and co-styling Congresswoman Cori Bush for her book cover, “Forerunner” Psst, she’s wearing my earrings on the cover. I’ve been honored to be named Accessories designer of the year by the Raw Artist organization who features artists who showcase their artistic disciplines from all over the United States including Canada and Mexico, beating over 2000 contestants in my category and a proud featured artist with the Missouri Arts Commission and just recently I’ve been added to Missouri Film Office as a wardrobe/buyer stylist. My platform is set apart because of my sense of style and ability to source looks and bring the best selections to my clients to achieve favorable outcomes in their endeavors. As a designer/stylist in our amazing fashion community, it has always been my pleasure to have assisted and supported many of my brothers and sisters over the past 10 years and I plan on continuing that path for even more years to come. I am known for being a reliable source and a set standard for fashion and I am proud of my work.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative artist is that I can create my own lane without leaning into others. I can unapologetically express myself and be organically authentic to who I am as an artist centered around a narrative that I create, whether it’s a sculpture for an art gallery, custom jewelry or styling a celebrity or buying wardrobe as a wardrobe stylist for actors for film. As a creative, I strive to allow my creativity to flow from me for the world to enjoy and see.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I’m a poet, so when I write I tend to write pieces to inspire, inform and connect people in a spiritual manner, but there was a poem that helped me to always think about my integrity and has kept me rooted planted and grounded on solid ground

I have to live with myself and so
I want to be fit for myself to know.
I want to be able as days go by,
always to look myself straight in the eye;
I don’t want to stand with the setting sun
and hate myself for the things I have done.
I don’t want to keep on a closet shelf
a lot of secrets about myself
and fool myself as I come and go
into thinking no one else will ever know
the kind of person I really am,
I don’t want to dress up myself in sham.
I want to go out with my head erect
I want to deserve all men’s respect;
but here in the struggle for fame and wealth
I want to be able to like myself.
I don’t want to look at myself and know
I am bluster and bluff and empty show.
I never can hide myself from me;
I see what others may never see;
I know what others may never know,
I never can fool myself and so,
whatever happens I want to be
self respecting and conscience free.

Written by: Edgar Guest

Contact Info:

• Website: www.yorostyle.com
• Instagram: yoroofficial
• Facebook: yoro newson
• Linkedin: yoro
• Youtube: yoro style

Image Credits
Photographer Delan Ellis of Echo Exposure