We recently had the chance to connect with Sam Russell and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sam, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Meeting and planning a surprise wardrobe upgrade for Pastor, Author and domestic abuse survivor Gina Russo was a proud moment of mine recently. My passion project is titled Giving Closet; An impromptu name a friend and I came up with over happy hour drinks at The Abbey.
Couldn’t we all use some good news these days?
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Born and raised in Austin Texas, I was discovered as a model by Page Parkes herself in Houston at a restaurant. Vicki Snow and the creatives behind the scenes at her agency groomed me to become a fashion stylist.
To advance my marketing materials, I moved to Los Angeles in 1999.
Leap and the net will appear was my thinking.
The amazing artists and productions I’ve encountered have been plentiful and inspirational.
But, something was missing.
In 2011, I decided to collaborate with my fashionable resources and asked if we could somehow reroute a portion of what we gift to the well-heeled and get it back into our communities.
A daydream is where it started.
And as they say, to get to the fruit of the tree—‘You have to go out on a limb’.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Watching my Mom out-dress the ladies in our community taught me the power of details and personal branding.
Seeing how she garnered respect, admiration, job promotions and the eye of male suitors in every direction never left me. No matter what’s going on in your story, get up and dress well. Take your good clothing to the dry cleaners. Learn your body type and the plethora of designers out there that can accentuate your personality. Choose color.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
After a Giving Closet surprise in Houston Texas, I reconnected with a dear old friend, Wendy Martin. She’s a seasoned hair and makeup artist and donated her services for our big surprise makeover being filmed by the local tv crew that day in the penthouse suite at Hotel Sorrella CITY CENTRE
Wendy shared a personal story of Family trauma that shook me to my absolute core.
The story of murder and family betrayal that she so eloquently recapped gave me permission to access repressed memories from my traumatic past.
It was looking at Wendy as she spoke so candidly—so calm with a healed and balanced equilibrium.
That’s what struck me the most. The hope that arises after pain.
If she can endure what she just shared and still go on with her life, then anything is possible in the human space of resilience.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie about fashion is that it’s expensive and it’s not accessible to everyone. Simply not true.
The overflow of high fashion in our communities is plentiful—you just have to keep hunting and learn designer names. The online gem titled The Real Real . com was recommended to me by Robin Meade in Atlanta and I keep finding designer overflow at URM Thrift with locations in Whittier and Duarte, California.
And those sample sales at The Fashion Marts/Cooper Building….
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Too much ego kills talent and your ability to earnestly connect with your inner voice.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.givingcloset.net
- Instagram: Givingsam
Image Credits
Please credit: www.wendymartinsalon.com
Pic of Sam and Wendy attached (her with glasses)
Please credit. www.givingcloset.net
Givingsam on Instagram
