Check Out Jay Malloyd’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Malloyd.

Hi Jay, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a wardrobe stylist, developing designer, and personal shopper originally from St. Louis, MO. I began my career in 2019 based out of Nashville, TN. I’m a spiritual individual & a creative who really just loves the fashion industry, and wants to make positive change within it.

My styling and blogging career blossomed out of nowhere if I’m being honest. I always expressed myself through my clothing, but in college I really felt the freedom to play around with different aesthetics and silhouettes. While attending college at Tennessee State University, I kind of became known for the way I styled sweatpants and sneakers. I loved thrifting and finding different ways to rework old menswear pieces into my wardrobe. From there I began styling my friends for concerts, or parties, or events. I never really thought of turning it into a business until one day a girl reached out on social media and offered to pay me to curate a set of looks for her. From that moment on, I combined my major at the time, of Journalism, and my love for creating outfits to grow my blog & social media platforms. There are many sides to my blog “empath” and I am excited for its continued evolution. It was really that series of events that inspired me to transfer schools and pursue the degree I always wanted to; a degree in Fashion Marketing & Management. So in a way, through my side hustles, I was able to identify what I am really passionate about; I’ll always be grateful for that experience.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I love the growth my business & social media has achieved over the last two years but it has not always been easy. When working as a stylist early on, I found it very easy to cultivate looks for my clients, but when it came to myself…OMG, I felt so lost! There were some points where I felt that I had lost touch with my own personal style, which resulted in me losing some confidence in my abilities.

I also felt discouraged when it came to social media at times. I think we can all collectively agree that Instagram is not what it used to be, and as someone who primarily networked and relied heavily on my exposure from Instagram, I definitely took a hit this past year.

I had to spend a lot of time getting to re-know myself so that I could give my clients the best experience. As an entrepreneur, I had to learn to pivot and think on my feet. I tend to be very stubborn & get stuck on an idea or a vision and I want everything to look EXACTLY as I dreamed it would be. Realistically, that isn’t always the case, so you have to adjust!

I also had to develop an understanding that it is perfectly normal to make mistakes along the way. And honestly, it’s a good thing! There’s no room for growth if you don’t mess up a few times, so I look at every challenge as an opportunity to develop further & come back to things with an even better perspective.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am known for the vintage, streetwear, and most importantly, cozy wardrobes & outfits I cultivate and how I express them on social media outlets. I have worked with a lot of different brands, designers, and creative minds; learning a lot along the way. What sets me apart is my unique vision and my personal take on wardrobe styling. I’m very proud of my work & proud that I have always stayed true to my personal style. As I evolve as a person, my style has also evolved with me & I’m very grateful for that. I am a developing designer who is working on making the fashion industry more sustainable & inclusive for women of color.

What’s next?
There are so many things that I am looking forward to this upcoming year.

I’m VERY excited to announce that I have been working on the development of my line for the last year, and am continuing to perfect it before my projected launch in late 2023. This line will be a reflection of who I am. I want to highlight sustainability, wearability, and comfort, all while staying true to my love for streetwear & vintage designs. I truly cannot wait to share my vision.

Empath Styling is taking a turn in 2023 & will be relaunching very, very soon. I wanted to take a more intentional approach to my styling & personal shopping. Empath will always be my baby, and I want to continue to perfect it so that I can give my clients & readers the best experience possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jaymalloyd.wixsite.com/empath
• Instagram: instagram.com/jaymalloyd
• Other: www.tiktok.com/@jaymalloyd

Image Credits
On the image of the girl with clothing behind her: Seck The boy in the overalls: Ejah