Employee Spotlight: Brittany
How did you get into custom menswear/wardrobe consulting?
Wardrobe consulting has unofficially been a part of my life since I was a teen. My sense of style was something I was always known for with friends, family and colleagues alike, and many continue to seek my advice and have trusted me with many of their wardrobe decisions throughout the years. Even during those teen years, I knew wardrobe consulting was something I was naturally gifted at, moreover, it was something I absolutely loved to do. When I lived in Charleston, South Carolina I had the opportunity to participate in styled shoots for local boutiques and brands in the area.
What brings you to Charlotte?
New job opportunities brought my fiancé and I to Charlotte, North Carolina.
What’s your favorite piece of clothing you own?
For the most part, I dress according to my mood, never basic or like a curated mood board. I can’t really say that I have a favorite piece of clothing (as I like to believe I love all of my clothes the same), but what I will say is that jackets, and blazers in particular, are a crucial part of my wardrobe. I am anemic which makes me very cold natured (if it is ever a little warm at OMJ you know why 😁) so I like to have something covering my arms that I can remove if I want. There are days when I’m feeling adventurous and want to throw on a leather jacket or loud faux fur to combat the chill, but then settle upon a low key blazer and a playful heel. Blazers are perfect for an everyday look with a pant or jean, a heel, loafer or sneaker. You’ll find jackets in just about every color and texture in my closet.
Who are some of your style role models/inspirations?
My late grandmother, Joann Parson, is one of my style role models and inspirations. She lived in Detroit, Michigan at Motown’s prime. Her style was clean and tailored, yet filled with subtle hints of glamour. She didn’t have to do much to do a lot. My grandmother also played a crucial part in curating my wardrobe as a child by making dresses and hats for me to wear to church. In addition to my grandmother, a few others that serve as style inspirations or style role models for me are Grace Jones, Andre’ Leon Talley, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, Audrey Hepburn, and Anne Lowe.
What’s an unusual/interesting fact about you?
My first love has always been fashion and was my first career choice at a young age but, It wasn’t until attending my first college tour at 16 that I realized I didn’t have the resources, funds, or access to successfully pursue a career in fashion. Along with making an impact, I knew I also wanted to be financial secure straight out of school, so I focused heavily on academics to land scholarships and also discovered other interests that I was naturally drawn to, one being advocacy. My love for advocacy eventually landed me in law school. Side note: during law school I was voted best dressed and most likely to be famous, so a career in fashion was calling whether I knew it or not haha . I also served as President of the international, arts and sports law association. In that role, I organized and directed a charity fashion show that raised over 25k. While in law school I also had the opportunity to travel abroad and study international criminal law at Oxford University in England. Fast forward to today and I am an Attorney licensed in South Carolina state and federal courts AND I am a style curator and all around tastemaker. I would not say I am done with the legal field, but my practice has been placed on a pause for now to pursue what sets my soul on fire. Though my pathway to a career in fashion has not been a straight line, I am blessed and grateful it has all come full circle
What’s your most memorable professional experience?
The ones that leave me feeling like I contributed in a significant way to making a person’s life better. Clothing isn’t particularly important in the grand scheme of things in life, but the people who wear them are. So being able to feel good and confident in the clothing you wear makes a real difference. Unfortunately, a lot of folks get left out of that experience as the fashion industry as a whole is extremely exclusionary, rigid and lacking in diversity from every angle. Working in custom clothing at OMJ has been especially rewarding because I am able to service and include others in the fashion experience who would have otherwise been left out were it not for the option of custom.
What unique perspective/value do you offer your clients?
Being a part of the legal world has afforded me the opportunity to be placed in many different settings ranging from local outdoor volunteer events to international black tie gala’s. This diverse array of exposure has equipped me with knowledge of how to dress for just about anything and how to interact with people from different walks of life. Most importantly, I am proactive and a problem-solver by nature when it comes to the needs of my clients.
OMJ Partnerships & Recommendations
Shoes:
Crockett & Jones Ferragamo Allen Edmonds
Skincare:
Clothing/Fabric:
Barbour Todd Snyder Gladson Loro Piana Drago Abraham Moon VBC Reda Angelico Stylbiella Zegna
Accessories:
Tag Huer Hoodinkee Foundwell Jaeger Lecoultre Craighill
Read:
WM Brown GQ The Rake Garden and Gun Our State Magazine QC Exclusive Charlotte Magazine The Charlotte Ledger The New York Times