Myrdith Leon-McCormack – former celebrity manicurist, creative visionary, citizen of the world, publisher, and now editor in chief of World Bride Magazine. McCormack boasts a career lifespan of three decades and counting, constructing an extraordinary legacy with a memoir of “pinch me” encounters to excite even the most satiated of individuals. Previously owning her own brand of nail polish while manicuring the crème de la crème of the entertainment and fashion world, McCormack made a name for herself before branding was as common as having your own blog, YouTube channel or IG following. She came up the steadfast way: unyielding and old school, when nothing was easy, and you wore your defeats just like a medal of honor as you would your triumphs. Her skills were sought-after at fashion shows in New York, Paris, and Milan, and she’s blessed the hands and feet of Uma Thurman, Charlize Theron, Iman, Naomi Campbell, Viola Davis, Beyonce, LL Cool J, Lil Wayne, and many more. Her voice speaks with particular elation as she recalls the moment she sat and touched the feet of legendary entertainer Eartha Kitt – a moment she will never forget. Her multi talents have now propelled her into digital media, shifting from backstage to the top of the bridal world.

To the unfamiliar, who is Myrdith Leon–McCormack?

For the people who love me, I am an entrepreneur, founder of World Bride Magazine, founder of MLM Represents, a mother, and a proud daughter of Haitian parents that worked extremely hard.

World Bride Magazine is so beautifully curated. What was the driving force behind taking the bridal fashion route versus ready-to-wear? You once said, “If it isn’t there, create it for yourself.” Did this disposition authenticate the intention?

Yes absolutely! I was a 15-year veteran in the fashion world before I entered the wedding segment of my small business. I started in the industry as a celebrity manicurist, so the exposure to couture, ready to wear, and beauty was a familiar acquaintance. I have been blessed and privileged to have a foot in. I wanted to create a recession-proof business. I knew that the wedding space was going to be the one segment of this industry that no matter where you were in the world culturally or financially, people were going to need guidance, assistance, and they were going to spend money, especially during a time when individuals were only marrying once. I wanted to be their tour guide and curator to help navigate the process of planning a beautiful, exquisite wedding. The lack of diversity and inclusion from 20- 30 years ago was my inspiration! I did not want to compete with The Modern Bride, Elegant Bride, or InStyle Magazine. That was not my goal. My goal was to be a response to people who look like me and wanted to see themselves and be reflected in the luxury space. That was my personal goal!

World Bride Magazine’s beneficence runs the gamut from wedding production to destination wedding planning to bridal registry, wills, and legal planning. Did you deem this as a necessity?

Absolutely! There was no way that, as a first-time bride, you knew everything and what to do. You were inspired by what you saw and read in magazines but how could you get there? How do I complete this? How do I execute this? Who are the go-to professionals that I should know? How can I access them? All of that was the reason why I felt like we had to add these important components to our pages. In addition, more importantly we had to give those professionals, that wanted – operative word wanted – to do business with people of color that would give them the services that they deserved and were willing to pay for.

What was missing from the bridal industry that you now furnish with World Bride Magazine?

More of a Black and Brown exposure, and that means Latina, that means Indian, that means Arab weddings! More people of color and their version of their love story, not from a western or European perspective but celebrating the culture of a people exactly where they were. Asian is included as well. I would see it in all the magazines that I am a fan of. I’m a fan of Vogue! I’m a fan of Harper’s Bazaar! These editorials are my inspiration, yet when I read these magazines, I felt as if it wasn’t telling or representing my story or from my perspective. I wanted to meet people, as we say today, where they are at. It was imperative that I told their love story and shared their amazing culture. That was why I felt there was an impending need.

What has been your greatest challenge in the bridal space?

Accepting that I am enough and the people that I serve deserve for me to fight for their presence and existence in those spaces that wasn’t designed with them in mind. I am constantly proving myself and validating and I must show numbers like everybody else. There are Black people who have and spend money. They can afford Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier. I feel like I shouldn’t have to prove [this], but I remain cool and completely deal with the facts. It’s business. You always make sure you can show the numbers for everything that you do and that has been the most challenging. I wanted to display beautiful Black families that lived well, with beautiful love stories that deserved to be celebrated like everyone else. I vowed to remain cool and keep my dignity to achieve my mission by any means necessary.

You had your own byline, “MLM Presents” in partnership with The Huffington Post, in 2011. A montage of your thoughts if you will. How did that relationship take off?

Being in the right place at that right time. I owe that connection to Julee Wilson, who is now the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan. At that time, she was at the Huffington Post and invited me the opportunity to write my own byline based on my thoughts, emotions, and experiences. She gave me full control. I will forever acknowledge her for that. She recognized my editorial talents from a beauty feature I used to write, for a nail magazine in London- she took a chance on me and wanted me to bring that same zeal to the Huffington Post. This experience and opportunity truly built the confidence in me to become a journalist and full-fledged publisher. In that, I was able to translate all those skills to the fabric of World Bride Magazine.

Are there any wedding designers whose concepts or creativity that simply take your breath away?

Wow! You know who literally took my breath away because he just did something cool last year? Mark Ingram of Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier. He partnered with Sheila Bridges of Harlem Toile and took her artwork and made it into a gown! He took the vibrancy of couture coloration and made a modern masterpiece. Nothing traditional in white. Something that speaks to the modern millennial, and it is breathtaking! Yemi Kosibah! I love what he does with beading and body sculpting! If you want to be snatched! Go see Yemi! Lastly, I cannot exclude Amsale. Although she is no longer here in physical form, her legacy of simple elegance of draping and use of gorgeous luxurious fabrics will forever keep me in awe. Wait, one more! The iconic Peter Langer! I get so excited by his designs!

If you could plan a dream wedding for a client, with an unlimited budget, what would that entail from start to finish?

I would take them to Egypt! I believe the atmosphere and the ambience is the most important part of the wedding and creating an experience for your guests that will be a memory to last a lifetime! Yes, I’m in fashion! Yes, I want drama! My opinion, I don’t believe in investing $20- $30,000 in a wedding gown to have a wedding in a community center space. No disrespect. Whatever your wallet can afford, I believe you should spend that budget on creating a beautiful ambiance, a story, a theme, that will make it memorable! Fine china! Good food! If you tell me, I have an unlimited budget, I’m going to meet with everyone that you know and love to create a life changing experience! I want people to leave the ceremony in tears and with the thought: “My God, I aspire to have this type of love!” I want guests to leave remembering they had a memorable time with the people they love. That’s all that matters to me.

In reflecting on your accomplishments to date, what are you most proud of?

I am so proud of myself for not being selfish. I am so proud of myself for being aligned with God, and I allow God to correct me and guide me. I am committed to helping people and taking them along for the ride. Although it is necessary for me to create boundaries, I am most proud of the amazing people I have been blessed to help via both of my companies. I am at peace knowing that, unselfishly I helped some amazing people. 

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be?

Unstoppable.

WEB: https://worldbridemagazine.com/

IG (business): @worldbridemagazine

IG (personal): @myrdith

In this new CFDA.com series, we explore the Black Woman and her behind-the-scenes influence on the world of fashion, design, and beauty. The women we feature use their work as a form of creative expression, which they nurture with passion and purpose.