Today we’d like to introduce you to Nyesha Rose.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Nyesha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Welp for starters, I am originally from Bridgeport, Connecticut – East Coast baby! I moved when I was about 17 years old and traveled down to Miami, Fl – where I studied Retail Marketing and Fashion Merchandising. While living in Miami, I really wanted to be a stylist/fashion editor. I went from studying my favorite Stylists and racking up my parent’s credit cards for magazines to styling my friends on campus for mini photo-shoots while becoming one of the Fashion editors for my school’s magazine.
After obtaining my degree, I moved to Brooklyn, New York where I interned at Fashionsnoops. A trend forecasting company made up of fashion, accessories, home decor, and beauty editors who are designed to help brands and companies harness future trends. Fashionsnoops really helped jumpstart everything for me. I worked directly with Streetwear editor, Kristin Petrizzo where she really took me under her wing. She seen something in me from the day I emailed her 100 times for the internship. I learned a lot at Fashionsnoops. From product taglines down to Photoshop. Because of her, I then landed a job at Brooklyn’s best and well-known streetwear store “Vinniestyles”. Between Fashionsnoops and Vinniestyles they both had something in common – STYLE. Everything about the two were so DOPE to me. One spoke about trends, while the other took those trends and made someone look fly. From that day on, I knew there were so much more to this industry… and that is just what I needed – more.
Once my internship completed – I reached out to Marie Claire magazine and to my surprise, they wanted to hire me as the fashion closet assistant intern. I just graduated and due to the new law that passed on interns, I was unable to provide a letter from my university for credit – therefore unable to start. Upset…yes defeated…No – I weighed out my options and did research. I knew I wanted to do my Masters and I knew I wanted it to be done in London. So weighing out my options I reached out to Elle UK and they wanted to interview me. I then applied to some schools, got in, and packed my bags to London – all for an interview I was not even sure if I was going to get.
Once I moved to London, everything changed for your girl. I did get the internship at Elle UK, I did like it – but I was not in LOVE with it. After being in London for about one month, I met a girl who today is one of my best friends – Toni Blaze. Today she is the Editor in Chief at Wonderland Magazine and when I met her she was just an intern there. She told me that she thinks I should get into PR and said I would love it. While working for Lanvin at Harvey Nichols, I took Toni on her advice and interned on the side for Village PR – I never looked back since.
I went from Village PR to IPR, Allsaints, BPCM, Karla Otto and Giorgio Armani. Experiences in both in-house and agency. While my studies were coming to an end, it was time to relocate. I had three days to be exact to leave London. I reached out to Tom Ford’s PR team in LA and they scheduled a interview with me. I packed up in 72 hours and left. Again without certainty.
October 2017 I moved to LA and Tom Ford’s team wanted to hire me as an intern. I passed on the opportunity as I was done with interning and now holding two degrees – I needed a job. I freelanced for about seven months doing both visual merchandising on Rodeo and assisting with Zoe Costello. As my 8th month approached in LA, I landed a PR role with Purple. Currently at Purple I am able to work with the best brands in the game – especially street/luxury. I also get to work with the best stylists in the game and help curate the best events… Wow..I went deep, HA!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not. I practically worked for free 80% of my career. I also moved around a lot and being in school the entire time did not help either. The consistency of being in one company for an extensive amount of time was non-existence. Not to mention trying to obtain your masters and work in London is one of the hardest things to do. Unlike America, it’s one or the other. Schooling overseas requires focus and discipline.
Yet, the biggest struggle is none of the above. Its more trying to identify my place in this industry. I know I want to be in it, I know I have what it takes to stay in it, but how do I make a “change” in it?
You see, the fashion industry talks a lot about culture and inclusiveness, yet when it comes to jobs it’s not quite the same story. There isn’t enough women/men of color in the industry. Therefore when given the opportunity, the biggest struggle would be how can I include my race in these conversations without being bias? Or having to dim down my blackness so I can continue to have a seat at the table. That has always and still to this day the biggest struggle for me.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Work for Purple PR – what should we know?
I currently work at the best agency, Purple. We have 3 offices – London, NYC and in LA. At Purple, I work with a great team of experts in the VIP department. Here we collaborate with Celebrities/VIP Stylists to secure placements via red carpet, press, events, etc. for our clients. We also help curate events that are streamlined to the brand’s core values and aesthetic. Purple to me is not just about photos and clothes – Yes we love both! But its more about creating memorable and magical moments with those around us. Its all about THE EXPERIENCE at Purple. In my opinion.
I believe I am known for my love of street/luxury brands. I am obsessed with brands who love to make items that are comfortable yet elegance. It’s the perfect combo for me as I love to pair a well-tailored tracksuit with a pair of heels.
Working at Purple has allowed me to meet some of the best individuals in this industry who are excellent at their craft, those of which I call my friends. Those who know, knows that meeting people in this industry is really easy, but creating a team of friends – can be difficult.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
As previously mentioned, Kristin Petrizzo was there from the very beginning – when I did not even have an email beginning, beginning. She probably doesn’t know it, but she helped me navigate myself in this industry. Fashionsnoops is a digital platform created in 2001, its meant to help navigate companies, brands and editors on future trends. How patterns, colors and fabrics play a big part in your buying process down to why social media is the best option for your brand. That to me are the basic knowledge one needs in the fashion industry.
One of my best friends Toni-Blaze, EIC of Wonderland Magazine – helped me see that the career path I thought I wanted actually was not intended for me at all.
Kewana Grant, one of Purple’s Beauty Directors – gives me courage and guidance to know that there is a place for the color of my skin to hold a major title – she is living proof of that, a long with many others.
A good friend of mine Izzy Steven, Co-Founder of Bossy Ldn repeatedly shows me that when females come together – magic really does happen.
Erica Tucker – She started her own PR firm and manages one of the biggest lights of our generation, Yara Shadid. She is another inspiration for me in this game. Whenever I need help or advice, she is one phone call away.
And most importantly my family and friends home. They are my biggest supporters/cheerleaders. Coming from a small urban city – the love your peoples show you is enough for you to continue to thrive and break down boundaries.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.purplepr.com
- Instagram: @purplepr @rosexxo
Image Credit:
Leomie Anderson Wearing: Dress by Faith Connexion Styled by: Calvin Opaleye
The Late Nipsey “Tha Great” Hussle Wearing: Coat by Casablanca Styled by: Daniel Jones
Ryan Destiny Wearing: Plaid Shirt Dress by Faith Connexion Styled by: Scot Louie
Swae Lee Wearing: Full Casablanca Styled by: Fatima B
Travis Scott Wearing: Silk Printed shirt by Casablanca Styled by: Alexandra Grandquist
Amanda Steele Wearing: Blazer by Each Other Styled by Dani Michelle Assisted by: Kris Fe
Swae Lee Wearing: Studded pants by MX Paris by Maxime Simoens Styled by: Avon Dorsey
Kourtney Kardashian Wearing: Velvet Pants by Faith Connexion Styled by: Dani Michelle Assisted by: Kris Fe
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