My mother enrolled me in
the professional modeling course at Patricia Stevens Career College
when I was 16. At the Washington, D.C. school, I developed self
confidence, poise, learned artistry, and how to model. More
important, it reconfirmed everything my mother taught me about being a
lady.
However, I really didn’t pursue a modeling career until after I
graduated from college. In 1975, Ebony Fashion Fair selected me
as a model and I remained with the company for 16 years.
With the troupe, I was a model, commentator, and buyer, who traveled to
Paris, Milan, Rome, London, and New York twice a year to select
fashions and coordinate photo shootings. I helped to select
models, train them, taught them make-up, choreographed and coordinated
the show, wrote the commercials, and supervised the 200 city, 9 month
tour. One of my most memorable experiences with the Ebony Fashion
Fair was being interviewed and appearing on Good Morning America
annually for 16 years.
Today, my company, Shayla Simpson Productions, Inc., produces fashion
shows, represents models and provides image consulting. For seven
years, we coordinated shows for Revlon, and provided most of the models
for their national ad campaigns and hair care packages.
For professional and personal attire, I’m partial to pure
fabrics. I shop for 100% silk, cotton, linen, wool, and
cashmere. They wear better and last longer. However,
the new micro fibers travel well, are virtually wrinkle free and those
with a suede finish are absolutely luscious to touch. I
recommend that smart dressers chose fabrics that fit their lifestyle
based on their budget and time for apparel maintenance.
No matter what fabric you choose, style is a reflection of the inner
spirit. I believe, a good self image provides the confidence to
express it through fashion and the way we adorn ourselves exposes that
portion of our personality that we’re willing to share.
My wish today is for every woman to take a good look in the
mirror. She should study her body type and decide what to
accent and, what to conceal. The rules of fashion are not the
same for everyone. However, every person has only one chance to
make a lasting impression. |
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| I believe, a
good self image provides the confidence to express it through fashion
and the way we adorn ourselves exposes that portion of our personality
that we’re willing to share. |
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| Shayla
Simpson of Shayla Simpson Productions, 404-758-7900.
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