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Welcome back to our Emerging Series – where we highlight emerging fashion creatives in hopes that through this series, the support of our community and ecosystem grows for Black fashion. Today, we introduce to you Ren Wilson!
Ren Wilson’s journey to becoming a stylist is as dynamic as her creative vision. Initially pursuing a path in International Relations with a French minor, Ren’s true passion for fashion led her to pivot her career. After teaching English in France, she pursued a Diploma in Fashion Management, where she won a Styling Prize for her cohort. Her multifaceted career spans retail, internships, and independent ventures, showcasing her talents in styling and creative direction. Ren has shared her unique perspectives through fashion writing and social media, including a remote internship with NYC’s PhotoBook Magazine. She is deeply committed to using fashion to tell visually impactful stories.
Advisor.: “Can you share a bit about your background and how you first became interested in fashion styling?”
Ren: “As a child, I loved reading and immersing myself in fictional worlds. In my teen years, I realized that the way you dress tells a story about yourself. From that point on, I became fascinated with fashion and its capacity for storytelling, and I saw the role of the stylist as that of a storyteller. Ever since then I’ve been passionate about fashion styling as a means of personal expression and worldbuilding.”
Advisor.: “As a Black fashion stylist, how do you see your role in promoting diversity and representation within the industry?”
Ren: “I see my role as actively striving for excellence and thereby being a positive example to others who look like me. I also see it as my duty to express my unique perspective as a Black, Caribbean woman and to edify and uplift other Black creatives who are making a positive impact.”
Advisor.: “What are some of the most memorable projects you’ve worked on so far?”
Ren: “I led the costume design for a short film entitled She Island directed by Raven Irabor that centered on Caribbean womanhood. It was my most extensive project to date in terms of the number of costumes and cast members. It was very stressful but ultimately extremely rewarding as I was able to challenge myself and work with some really great people.
I really enjoy working with musicians because I find the idea of translating an artist’s sound into an outfit fascinating. I styled the music video for soca artist Erphaan Alves’ song, “Forever Love.” That was a fun but challenging job since I had to style Erphaan himself as well as a number of extras in 70s-themed outfits with a really tight deadline. I also had the pleasure of styling Muhammad Muwakil of Freetown Collective, a genre-defying music group. I conceptualized his attire for the group’s live performances at their first-ever Welcome to Freetown concert this year. I also styled Muhammad for Freetown Collective’s upcoming music video for their song “Rainy Morning.” I love when my styling serves as an extension of the artist and helps him embody the emotions and energy of his music.”
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Advisor.: “What changes would you like to see in the fashion industry regarding inclusivity and representation?”
Ren: “I believe that it’s important to diversify not just who is in front of the camera, but also who is behind it. Very often, Black talent is used as the face of a campaign or project, but the teams working behind the scenes aren’t similarly diverse. Brands and entities that are serious about diversity should aim to not only include people of color in highly visible roles, but also as part of the crew and among the project’s key decision makers.”
Advisor.: “What advice would you give to aspiring fashion stylists who are just starting out?”
Ren: “If you’re in it for the glamour, you’re going to have a bad time. The work can be pretty strenuous and sometimes thankless. You have to love what you do. Remember that dressing yourself and dressing other people are two completely different things. It’s crucial to understand how to combine your creative expression with meeting the client’s needs. Creativity is a gift that we must use in service to others, so everything is not always about you.”
Advisor.: “How do you approach the creative process when working with a new client or on a new project?”
Ren: “It always begins with a discussion of what the client needs. Once I have a good grasp of that, I start brainstorming and collecting inspiration, which I then narrow down into a comprehensive mood board that I then present to the client. For personal projects, I’m inspired by a lot of random things– it could be a colour, a shape, a song, an emotion. I make notes of my ideas, even the bad ones. Sometimes they can be reworked or repurposed into something worthwhile for myself or for a client.
Advisor.: “One item in your wardrobe you can’t live without?”
Ren: “My black flared trousers. They make everything a little more chic and elevated while still being comfy.”
Please make sure to connect with Ren on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok. If you have an emerging creative to nominate – submit them here.
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