Today we’d like to introduce you to Marvin Neal.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Raised in a home with three generations of women great grandmother was a seamstress so I would see her hem the men in the neighborhood pants and she worked at the cleaners and then my aunt worked retail and would take me to work with her and I would sit and watch what was going on. In the 90s, I just knew I would do something in fashion starting out drawing jordans in elementary school then middle school knowing I wanted to be a designer it wasn’t encouraged in school or any programs by the time I got to high school I knew for sure my love was styling I knew it was a process or job or a person that made the clothing come to life. I was introduced to Misa Hylton and Groovey lew and Andre Leon Talley and all these other glamorous people that were dressing folks. So I worked my first retail job in at the Gap and dressing the mannequin was a Lil bit more fun then selling after that time I would just make sure my friends were fresh and dressed well when we would go out. So years went by, I thought I had to move to NYC to start my journey but after breaking my ankle in 2010, I knew what I had to do to start my career so after I healed I started working with all my friends and doing their shoots and that’s when my career took off….. celebrity clients and magazine publishing also a personal shopping gig with Versace.
The first shoot I paid for everything and bought. Clothing I didn’t know about pulling and or returning and who would even let me do so. After years of grinding and social media, the Deelishis and Toni Braxton and Ice Wear Vezzo’s happen my first online publishing as a stylist was Vibe .com after speaking on panels and doing teaching at colleges on wardrobe styling I started hosting parties and also now an Instagram Live series where I interview all creatives in the city of Detroit that are legends all while they are sharing tips and motivation for the younger and next-generation called #styletalklive.
Great, 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?
Its been half and a half, I helped usher in a lane that wasn’t considered a job here in Detroit even tho it was fashion driving shopping mall wise here or a boutique I wanted to elevate it here and no one was attacking it like I had been wanting too. So it just we don’t have any showrooms so you have to rely heavily on your relationships with boutiques and local designers. I took a job as a security officer to gain the trust of the store managers that would let me pull for magazine shoots and later led to me getting a personal shopping gig with Versace. Its all about doing the work here. Detroit has been training me for the big picture when I started.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
So I have been Internationally Published in several magazines and a Celebrity Wardrobe stylist I dress regular and celebrity folks and pour mine all into my custom denim brand @jeanousdenim. I feel like I’m known for clean and polished work with a high-end urban appeal. I’m most proud of every magazine publishing I have a thing for them I would read and dream of seeing my name in the corner of vogues and ‘ so for it to show up whether it’s online or paper I’m always excited. What sets me apart is my attention to detail and knowing how to source for the perfect fit and look for my men and women clients.
Toni Braxton – Icon
Joique Bell – Detroit Lions
Miz Korona – Mc/8mile
Joseph Barksdale – Arizona Cardinals
Lil Mo – Singer/Songwriter
Shawn T. Blanchard – author/speaker
London Charles (Deelishis) – reality star
Neisha Ne’shae – Artist
Ice Wear Vezzo – Artist
Vogue Italia – 2012
TWELVETEN MAGAZINE – 2013
Feroce Magazine – 2014
Ambassador Magazine 2015 / 2015
Solis Magazine – 2015
The Metropolitan – 2015
Institute Magazine – 2016
Promo Magazine – 2016
Walk Fashion Magazine – 2017
BLAC Detroit Magazine – 2018
Michigan Chronicle -2019
Dark Beauty Magazine – 2019
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Just always Gymshoe (sneaker) shopping (my first like high-end sneaker was like a Gucci sneaker in the 80s) and going to the mall I stopped early playing with toys but watching people have on their club clothes was always intriguing to me what the men and woman wore to go out here was serious it was the whole thing from hair to how the lips were lined how the men’s suits were tailored and their gator or bally shoes I just always people and style watched.
Pricing:
- Custom Denim starts at 70
- Jackets 100
Contact Info:
- Website: www.marvneal.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @marvneal @jeanousdenim
- Facebook: @stylecuratormarvneal
- Twitter: @iammarv
Image Credit:
Italia Vogue – photographer tony focus, Blac Magazine – Lauren Jeziorski, Bathing Suit – Dre Dotty, Head in Oven for Institute Magazine – Boswell
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