Meet Tamala Clarice

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamala Clarice.

Tamala, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Fashion was first introduced to me by dance. I have a very strong background in dance. For twenty years it was my passion and after getting cut three times from an NBA dance team I decided to focus all my energy on fashion. But while dancing, Fashion was only a hobby for me. It was only something that I had enjoyed and had fun doing aside of dance. From the flow of garments when moving, to the patterns on a uniform and even down to the silhouette when posing while a dance routine is performed is why I slowly was falling in love with fashion. Not only that, it was a way for me to express myself outside of a uniform. At the age of 19 is when I realized that I wanted to make a fashion career while majoring in Business Marketing at Jackson State University and upholding a dance position on their dance team, The Prancing J-Settes.

After completing four years at JSU and receiving my bachelor’s degree, I was then accepted into the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in LA where I found out that I had multiple choices of Fashion to choose from. There was fashion design, fashion editor, fashion styling, personal styling, fashion illustration, etc. I mean, there were so many options to choose from in this field. After deciding that fashion styling, fashion blogging, and fashion design was the best fit for me I then began interning under celebrity stylist(s) J. Bolin, Jessica Pastor, and Eric Burns. I worked in fashion retail and assisted fashion designer Shateria Moragne EL while studying my craft simultaneously. Fast forward to today’s journey, I am still pursuing my dream. I have had the pleasure of working with celebrity placements and public figures such as DJ Genius, Jacquail Knight, Derrick Johnson, Porcelan Chalet, Christianee Porter, Ebonee Davis, Letoya Luckett, and Angie Thomas.

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?
For a long time, I had so much pride that I was afraid to reveal my struggles. I have refrained from many interviews of talking about my story that is still actually being written. Today, I can honestly say that this has not been a smooth road at all. It has included a lot of hurt, failures, and sacrifices. I’ve worked many 9 to 5’s to fund my dream, some I was fired from and many I’ve quit. I’ve moved to four different states which in the end didn’t work out for me to chase my dream.

I’ve experienced lawsuits from not being paid for certain gigs and opportunities. I’ve been disrespected and cheated by many artists and designers in this industry. I’ve been promised many job opportunities that were never accurate or successful. I’ve lost close friends, peers, and coworkers while chasing this dream. But through it all, those obstacles have been experiences that I am truly grateful for. Struggling has helped me define my character. It makes you stronger, wiser, and humble.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Styled by Clarice, LLC defines my business as a Fashion Stylist and Style Influencer. I specialize in curating signature looks for artists, models, actors, and many more public figures/celebrity placements. I am known for my strong background in dance and now my fashion enthusiasm. Aside from my talent, I have been notified as a dedicating hard worker, self-made entrepreneur, an individual with an amazing aura, and lover of a faithful God. My inventive concepts and ideas have allowed me to create my own platform. My versatility and risk-taking style are what sets me aside from others. To be able to overcome so many obstacles and failures while maintaining a positive mindframe and conquering many projects is what I am most proud of today. I look even more forward to continuing my fashion-forward journey and seeing what else is in store.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My memory from childhood was competing in so many dance competitions. Going up against some of the most amazing teams and talents around the world was a huge experience for me!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tamalaclarice.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @tamalaclarice
• Facebook: @tamalagreene
• Twitter: @tamalaclarice

Image Credit:
Brandon Hicks
Justin Hardiman
Imani Khayyam
Angie Thomas
Jackson State University
CBS TV Network
7Hues Magazine
Feroce Magaize
Elements Magaizne
Observer New Review Magazine

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