Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Be.
Hi Hannah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
MEET HANNAH BE: CREATIVE DIRECTOR and Celebrity Stylist out of the Capital City in California
My name is Hannah Be. I’m a the hautest creative director and celebrity stylist coming straight out of the city of Sacramento—also known as the Capital of California. I’m the founder and celebrity stylist behind Retrospect-Vintage Fashion, and my style is rooted in vintage storytelling. It’s about taking old pieces and breathing new life into them, curating looks that merge the past with right now.
I’ve sold out my own headliner fashion shows in brand partnership with Hyatt House, Kimpton Sawyer, and the rooftop at Revival with Retro Revival. We’ve also had success at the Crocker Art Museum with live mannequin fashion art fusion shows, and we’ve built fashion into Sacramento’s cultural spaces. All of these were sold-out successes with my creative direction leading the way.
I got my start back in 2010 styling mannequins and selling my vintage collective items on eBay. Every item was previewed on a mannequin. From there, people started asking me to style them personally. Next thing you know, I connected with world-renowned photographer Shamayim—he became my mentor and guided me through the world of fashion. I went from dressing mannequins to dressing supermodels from agencies like Ford and Wilhelmina. I was so brand new to the industry, I remember Shamayim saying, “We have Models from Wilhelmina coming in,” and I was like, “Who is Wilhelmina?” I didn’t even know yet. Fast-forward and I started working with major brands and outlets.
My key moment before COVID was working with legendary costume designer CiCi Rodrigo. She’s the creative behind the iconic looks from shows like Girlfriends, Sister Sister, A Different World—all those early 2000s and 90s fashion blueprints. She brought me on to work with her for a show called Mixedish, a major network production based on 1980s style. At the time, I was a partner in a 4,000 sq. ft. vintage co-op in the Bay Area, so I was able to provide wardrobe from my collection. I thought I had made it.
At the same time, I had just gotten my pieces placed in Church Boutique, a prominent Beverly Hills fashion house founded by celebrity stylist and designer Rodney Burns—stylist for Lenny Kravitz. That was my “we made it” moment…
Right when that happened, my mother entered hospice care for Cancer. I thought having a hospice nurse meant extra help—I didn’t realize it meant the end. My mother passed shortly after. That moment was devastating and it took time for me to find my rhythm again.
Then COVID hit. It slammed the brakes on everything. and then the world shut down. I had to repivot and restructure everything!
Around this time I connected with Meta’s Business Networking program, I explained that my career felt like learning to drive stick shift. I was stuck between second and third gear—starts, stops, and grinding until the world started opening up again. I went all in on live-action merchandising, festival pop-ups, and immersive fashion experiences.
We did pop-up installations with Crocker Art Museum featuring live mannequin fashion fusions, bringing fashion into the art world in a way that people could experience up close. We became finalists in the Downtown Sacramento Partnership’s Calling All Dreamers program and won prize money to open a store in Sacramento. Although we didn’t find the perfect space before the prize expired, the win showed that our business had serious traction.
Then came the big momentum: we secured a residency with Concerts in the Park, and I was tapped during the inception of the GoldenSky Festival, produced by Danny Whimmer Presents, to build out a VIP storefront fashion experience. This wasn’t just a table or a rack—it was a boutique setup right by the main stage, curated for performers, their entourages, and VIP festival goers. I brought out exclusive vintage, turned the space into a luxury pop-up experience, and styled guests in real time. It was pure energy—music, culture, and fashion fused into one.
Also during this time I started working with LIM Fashion School in NYC as a community partner to place interns in my company. My interns and I would do the vintage shows every season. I was popping up in New York so much I got a one year showroom placement in Brooklyn, it was a residency I was given for artists. Shout to my intern Rozlyn for making that connect. I started showcasing my collection at bigger events in NYC and I was selected to feature my curated vintage collection at the Manhattan Vintage Show. This is for the top vintage curators from all over the world that sell to the most fashion forward people all of the world in Manhattan. I had been doing the Manhattan Vintage Show every season at this time. I would fly in my whole store from California.
During one of these trips I was looking for tags in the garment district to get ready for the Manhattan Vintage Show. And my friend and I walked by the DKNY studio. She said look that’s Donna Karan’s studio. I’m like that’s my favorite designer from childhood. I did not think anything of it until no less than 24 hours. The icon and fashion designer Donna Karan herself was at my booth and she purchased over a dozen pieces from my archival vintage collection for herself! I was floored. I love NYC! I started doing more events and NYFW.
From there, I started producing and headlining my own fashion shows. We teamed up with the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, and I created the Retro Revival show on their rooftop pool deck at Revival. It overlooked downtown Sacramento’s skyline during sunset, with sponsors like Veuve Clicquot, Seagrams and California Automobile Museum. It was a sold-out night of fashion that made national headlines. Who would have thought?
The next show was the Retro Dollhouse X Hyatt House: Return of the Dolls, which was part II of the first show. This was another sold-out production. It was inspired by the 2011 Chanel “High Tea Couture” show. We brought the concept to life with immersive fashion storytelling and were covered by Yahoo, MSNBC, FOX40 News, Good Day Sacramento, KCRA, and iHeartRadio—which gave us a 20-minute live interview. That show was a huge moment for our movement.
With my creative direction, we brought in emerging and sustainable designers like upcycle denim artist By Teoni, and architectural eco designer Yennie Zhou. We didn’t want a regular runway show. We wanted an immersive art and fashion event—one where the audience became part of the experience.
At our events, you don’t just glance at clothes as they walk past. You experience the garment—you can touch it, talk about it, photograph it, and understand every detail. From the watch, the socks, the jewelry, the hairpieces, chokers, tights, rings, gloves, train cases, purses, down to the shoes—we don’t miss a single piece. Every inch is styled with intention. Our shows are about storytelling through fashion.
That’s what I do. I fuse couture with community storytelling with sustainability, and vintage with vision. My name is Hannah Be. I’m not just styling clothes—I’m creative directing full experiences, one sold-out show at a time, one photo shoot at a time and one vintage garment at a time. Ethiopia and Dominica bred me, and Cali raised me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My key moment before COVID was working with legendary costume designer CiCi Rodrigo. She’s the creative behind the iconic looks from shows like Girlfriends, Sister Sister, A Different World—all those early 2000s and 90s fashion blueprints. She brought me on to work with her for a show called Mixedish, a major network production based on 1980s style. At the time, I was a partner in a 4,000 sq. ft. vintage co-op in the Bay Area, so I was able to provide wardrobe from my collection. I thought I had made it.
At the same time, I had just gotten my pieces placed in Church Boutique, a prominent Beverly Hills fashion house founded by celebrity stylist and designer Rodney Burns—stylist for Lenny Kravitz. That was my “we made it” moment…
Right when that happened, my mother entered hospice care for Cancer. I thought having a hospice nurse meant extra help—I didn’t realize it meant the end. My mother passed shortly after. That moment was devastating and it took time for me to find my rhythm again.
Then COVID hit. It slammed the brakes on everything. and then the world shut down. I had to repivot and restructure everything!
Around this time I connected with Meta’s Business Networking program, I explained that my career felt like learning to drive stick shift. I was stuck between second and third gear—starts, stops, and grinding until the world started opening up again. I went all in on live-action merchandising, festival pop-ups, and immersive fashion experiences.
We did pop-up installations with Crocker Art Museum featuring live mannequin fashion fusions, bringing fashion into the art world in a way that people could experience up close. We became finalists in the Downtown Sacramento Partnership’s Calling All Dreamers program and won prize money to open a store in Sacramento. Although we didn’t find the perfect space before the prize expired, the win showed that our business had serious traction.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
MEET HANNAH BE: CREATIVE DIRECTOR and Celebrity Stylist out of the Capital City in California
My name is Hannah Be. I’m a creative director and celebrity fashion stylist coming straight out of the city of Sacramento—also known as the Capital of California. I’m the founder and celebrity stylist behind Retrospect-Vintage Fashion, and my style is rooted in vintage storytelling. My brand specilizes in 100 percent sustainable fashion. It’s about taking old pieces and breathing new life into them, curating looks that merge the past with right now. Saving the earth one vintage garment at a time, while making ever lasting art through look-books, campaigns, photoshoots, tv apperances and more.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Hannah Be & Retro Doll Haus?
With this groundbreaking success, Hannah Be and Retrospect Vintage Fashion are already preparing for their next endeavor promising an even bigger, bolder showcase for fashion week and beyond! Hannah Be is part of the Meta Business Network and has been selected to meet with congress leaders in D.C. on behalf of Meta and small business from 5/21-5/22. Hannah will be speaking to Congress on the importance of her business Retrospect Vintage Fashion x Retro Doll Huas, sustainable fashion, small businesses, community and technology. While in D.C. Hannah Be will correspond on local tv networks promoting sustainability and vintage fashion styles.
For press inquiries, sponsorship opportunities, or styling rates and requests contact
Hannah Be
Creative Director, 916-856-7878
[email protected]
Instagram: @retrospect_vintage_fashion
Shop Now: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RETROSPECTNYC
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.retrospect-vintagefashion.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrospect_vintage_fashion
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hannahbe916
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retrospect-vintage-fashion
