As with music and the latest lingo, fashion is one of popular culture’s many entities heavily influenced by black voices. We have risen to be some of the art form’s most prominent figures, in the spotlight and behind the scenes. Celebrating our innovation and influence, BE High Society honors five black celebrity stylists who shine just as bright as their superstar clients. Get to know them all!
Olori Swank, @oloriswank
When you hear UGA Biology, Psychology, Pre-Med honors graduate, blue-haired and thigh-high boot wearing celebrity stylist doesn’t exactly come to mind. That is until you’re introduced to the brand that is Olori Swank. Swank took a year off before attending med school and in that time she met “MeMpHiTz,” former V.P. of A & R at Jive Records. He asked her to style a new signee much like she dressed, and from there, the rest is history. The blue-tressed beauty has styled entertainment’s hottest celebs, including T.I, Keyshia Cole, Lance Gross and Teyanna Taylor.
Ty Hunter, @tytryone
One of the strongest links in Beyoncé’s squad is fashion stylist Ty Hunter. Ty Hunter, who also has his own steady fan base as proven by 100-thousand and counting Instagram followers, is responsible for Queen Bey’s getups—on stage, on the red carpet and at those invite-only A-list events. Hunter most recently added a new notch to his resume as designer with his own clothing line, With Passion. Fans went bizurk as soon as the line
meant to inspire was released through Served Fresh. With Passion, which so far includes tees, hoodies, sweatshirts, flannels and crop tops, features a black and yellow color scheme and a four exclamation point logo.
Shun Melson, @shunmelson
Shun Melson’s roster includes the likes of Monica, Ledisi, Ludacris, Jennifer Hudson and Tyler Perry. She got her start in high-end retail and still incorporates that same quality customer care into her stylist services. The style maven provides wardrobe assessment consulting, closet organization, shopping assistance, personalized look development, personal fittings and cross-country shipping. Shun launched FaSHUN 101, a series of classes where she provides aspiring stylists introductory courses on the business. In 2013, Melson also released her FaSHUN apparel line with a variety of tees, joggers, hats and hoodies, often illustrating catchy hashtags like #luvthystylist.
Jason Bolden, @jasonbolden
A St. Louis, Missouri native, Jason Bolden started working in luxury retail for designer houses like Chole, Oscar de la Renta and Gucci. After owning his own vintage boutique, The Garment Room, in New York City, Bolden began styling for celebrity friends. Gabrielle Union, Taraji P. Henson and LaLa Anthony are now a few of this top notch stylist’s clients. You may recognize Jason Bolden from Instagram selfies with R&B diva Brandy, or from Anthony’s VH1 series LaLa’s Full Court Life. He and LaLa also partnered to release a contemporary womenswear line, 5th and Mercer.
Leah Taylor, @leahlouie
An innate sense of style and internship with Russell Simmons set Leah Taylor up for a noted career as a celebrity stylist. She’s the curator behind hip-hop icon Young Jeezy’s military inspired garb, and she’s also put together the looks for a plethora of other artists, including Nicole Ari Parker, Kelly Rowland and Kandi Burruss. The stylish beauty has worked the set of photo shoots for LaLa Anthony, Toni Braxton and Tameka “Tiny” Harris. With her celebrity photographer brother Robert Ector, Leah opened Taylor-Ector Studios in April 2009. The full service boutique offers photography, wardrobe, makeup and hair.
Keep up with these fab five, and keep checking B.E. High Society for more bosses in fashion!