Every facet of the fashion industry has changed this year and unearthed many challenges but also new opportunities for growth and reinvention. Ade Samuel, one of the fashion industries top celebrity stylists, who works with clients like Letitia Wright and Justine Skye, shares how the Black Lives Matter movement plays a role in her work and how COVID-19 will impact trends, New York Fashion Week and how she works with designers.

How has and will your work as a stylist change ?

As a stylist, my job has completely shifted during the pandemic. Like the world, I’ve been pushed to focus on expanding digitally all while remaining conscious in the new approach to the marketspace. With red carpets, movie junkets, fashion events, and summer festivals all coming to a halt, the relationship between a client and stylist has become less physical. In my studio, we are now limiting designer options and selections for the talent when shooting a video, editorial, campaign, or carpet. These days, the priority is to be intentional when supporting designers who have a unique story. It is a responsibility of mine to be purposeful and aware of the brand aesthetics and messaging. I truly believe it’s now irresponsible to solely support designers based on popularity – that is outdated.

What fashion trends do you see unfolding over the next 6 to 12 months?

The trends I see unfolding in the industry will all lend themselves to what the world needs right now. Minimalism and sustainable / conscious fashion…I imagine with the rapid change in our society, designers are aligning with their teams to release collections that are not damaging to the Earth. I was very supportive of the industry shift led by designers seeking to change the expectations placed on them with the corporate fashion calendar….the designers who stood up against fashion over-consumption and overproduction, which negatively impacts the Earth, and a calendar and schedule that in 2020 is irrelevant. Fashion with a cause, intentional and conscious branding and designs will be the new trends as we enter into this new era.

With travel and social distancing guidelines in place, how are you discovering new designers?

The internet has always been my source for finding new designers. I love exploring my social channels and discovering new brands around the world, especially at my convenience. One of my highlights during the pandemic was connecting with emerging designers and exploring their creative ways of releasing collections through digital marketing and innovative technology.

What are your plans for the upcoming New York Fashion Week and how do you plan on supporting designers?

I plan to support New York Fashion Week digitally. I think it’s important to remember that we are still in the early stages of the next wave of the pandemic crisis and it’s much safer to avoid large crowds. I have truly enjoyed viewing designers innovative digital fashion experiences that were exclusively catered to industry insiders. I feel that after the pandemic, when all is finally settled, designers and brands should feel fresh, new and intentional. I look forward to continuing to support emerging brands and I’m excited to see how designers will pivot into this new space.

How does Black Lives Matter and racial justice play a role in your work?

As a Black woman, the BLM movement and the fight for equality in this country is embedded in who I am as a human being. It has always played a role in my work because naturally it’s what I know and the being of who I am. I am happy that the fashion industry is opening its eyes to a world that has always existed outside the glamorous window blinds of this industry. I will always be a Black girl in fashion who has to work harder than the rest. I hope now, the fashion industry will continue to uplift and inspire corporate companies to create a change in their companies, like we are requesting in the world.

How would you encourage designers to stay creative and inspired at this time when there are less public/social moments to dress for?

Designers are artists and I can only encourage them to continue to draw inspiration from real-life events. There is so much to be inspired by during these trying times. I look forward to seeing activism through art. That is why I’m in this industry. We have the ability as artists to turn what seems ugly, into a beautiful image, story, or design, and I can’t wait to soak in all that beautiful artistry.