My Take on Fashion's Latest Headlines & WTF Happened At NYFW?!
The Haute Guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! Today I’m breaking down the latest fashion headlines and giving my take on New York Fashion Week. From Jaden Smith being named the first men’s creative director for Christian Louboutin and the conversation of whether celebrities deserve these roles or should stick to being brand ambassadors, to SZA stepping into creative direction with Vans, KBB by Kahlana’s launch at Target in the middle of their DEI fallout, Chloe Malle stepping in as Vogue’s new editor while Vogue Runway moves behind a paywall, and DSW’s attempt to rebrand in a...
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Overqualified, Underpaid & Over It — My Fashion Industry Reality + Why You’re Not Getting Featured From A Fashion Editor's POV
The Haute Guide
In this episode, I’m talking about what it’s like to be overqualified, underpaid, and overlooked in the fashion industry—while still expected to show up, deliver, and thrive. I’m sharing the reality of trying to build a career when the opportunities and pay don’t match the work, the pressure of navigating social media trends that don’t fit my brand, and the constant push to make it all work. Then, I’m giving you my fashion editor POV on why your pitches aren’t landing. From missing editorial deadlines to ignoring submission guidelines, I’m breaking down the exact mistakes I...
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Ami Colé, AI Models & How to Pitch Yourself in Fashion - The 2025 Guide
The Haute Guide
Welcome back to The Haute Guide! This week, I’m breaking down my 2025 guide to pitching yourself in fashion—whether you want press features, brand deals, or speaking opportunities. I’m giving you the exact tools you need, where to find the right contacts, and how to approach editors, brands, and event organizers so your pitch actually gets noticed. I’m also weighing in on Ami Colé’s brand closure and what it says about the state of Black-owned beauty brands, plus the growing use of AI models in campaigns—and why it’s both an ethical and industry game-changer. Key Moments: The...
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Funding Black Fashion Media is Non-Negotiable
The Haute Guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! In this episode, I’m talking about why funding Black media is absolutely non-negotiable. I’m unpacking how major fashion magazines rely heavily on advertising dollars—with over half of some issues filled with ads. But flip through those pages, and you’ll barely see Black-owned brands featured—or even Black faces in many of the campaigns. While I get that advertising keeps publications running, the reality is most Black brands don’t have $50,000 or $100,000 to spend on a single ad page. This lack of access fuels a bigger...
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Black Woman Realities in the Midwest Fashion Industry, How to Plan Social Media Content as a Fashionpreneur, and This Week’s Fashion Rant
The Haute Guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! In this episode, I’m sharing my experiences as a Black woman working in fashion in the Midwest—the lack of opportunities, the microaggressions, and why I’m not here to play the token role for anybody. I’m also walking you through how to plan out your social media content as a fashionpreneur. I’m talking brand pillars, figuring out what your audience wants to see, and how to use tools like ChatGPT without losing your own voice. And for AK’s Fashion Rant of the Week, I’ve got thoughts on Anna Wintour stepping down,...
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The Haute Guide – Season 2 is Here
The Haute Guide
I’m back, y’all. Season 2 of The Haute Guide is here, and I’m bringing even more of what you came for — unfiltered fashion talk, real industry insights, and the gems you didn’t even know you needed. This season, I’m diving into what it really takes to break into fashion, build your brand, and stay relevant, while also giving my hot takes on the headlines and moments shaking up the industry. If you’re ready for fashion talk with a side of strategy and a lot of personality, pull up a seat — we’ve got a lot to cover.
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2025 Met Gala Recap – The Art & Missed Opportunities of Black Dandyism
The Haute Guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! In this episode, I'm diving deep into the 2025 Met Gala, unpacking this year's compelling theme: "Superfine", inspired by Monica Miller's exploration of Black dandyism. Join me as I candidly break down the hits, misses, and everything in between on fashion's biggest night. Here's what's inside: My honest thoughts on who beautifully embodied the "Superfine" theme—including Janelle Monae’s stunning "time traveler" concept, Tracee Ellis Ross’s bold historical homage, and André 3000’s brilliant nod to traveling musicians. ...
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5 Years Fired and Flourishing: How I’m Teaching Y’all How to REALLY Start in Fashion (2025 Version)
The Haute Guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! Can y'all already believe it's been 5 years since I got fired?! That moment is what pivoted my journey in fashion into the brand you know today - so I'm using that as the catalyst for the 2025 version on how to get your start in fashion! ✨ Mentioned in This Episode: 🇨🇳 How China’s tariffs and luxury factory tea are shaking up the entire fashion game (and what that means for small brands and consumers) 💰 Why it’s time to lock your spending down, find your community, and prepare for the financial storms ahead 👜 The real...
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The Truth About Fashion Business Finances + A Conversation with Novo Platform CEO Michael Rangel
The Haute Guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! Today we’re diving deep into financial literacy for fashionpreneurs—a topic we often avoid but need to master. In this episode, I break down the financial struggles of running a fashion business, share my own experiences from starting out as a blogger to building multiple brands, and discuss the biggest financial mistakes fashion entrepreneurs make. PLUS, I have a special guest—Michael Rangel, Founder & CEO of Novo.Co, which is my business bank platform of choice. We discuss how fintech is changing the game for small business...
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Branding & Social Media Strategy for Fashionpreneurs Pt. 1
The Haute Guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! After a brief hiatus (sorry yall!), I’m back with an insightful episode about branding, social media strategy, and how to refine your brand for success. I break down my own brand refresh process, how I’m reworking my content strategy, and how you can do the same for your fashion business, whether you're an entrepreneur, creative, or industry professional. 🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why I took a break and what I’ve been working on My personal branding overhaul and why it’s necessary for 2025 The role of social media in...
info_outlineWelcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! After a brief hiatus (sorry yall!), I’m back with an insightful episode about branding, social media strategy, and how to refine your brand for success. I break down my own brand refresh process, how I’m reworking my content strategy, and how you can do the same for your fashion business, whether you're an entrepreneur, creative, or industry professional.
🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why I took a break and what I’ve been working on
- My personal branding overhaul and why it’s necessary for 2025
- The role of social media in business growth and how I’m approaching my strategy
- How to use ChatGPT and AI for branding and content planning
- Breaking down audience personas and why knowing your audience is key
- My content pillars and how they shape my strategy
- Homework: Steps to analyze your brand, define your audience, and track your content strategy
🔑 Key Takeaways:
✅ A deep dive into branding and refining your social media strategy
✅ The importance of visuals and working with a branding expert (shoutout to Joan Fisher!)
✅ Using ChatGPT for content creation and branding insights
✅ Creating an audience persona to tailor your content and engagement strategies
✅ A step-by-step approach to developing a strong brand and content strategy
📝 Homework Assignment:
- Follow Joan Fisher (Saint Louis) – An absolute visual powerhouse! If you're in St. Louis or beyond, I highly recommend working with her for branding & editorial photography. You can book her whether you’re local or willing to fly her out! Follow Joan & connect: https://www.instagram.com/joan_fisher/
- Identify your brand pillars
- Define your audience personas and where they show up online
- Analyze your social media stats (followers, engagement, CTRs, etc.)
- Start building out your content strategy
✨ Upcoming Episodes:
🔜 Special guest interview with Michael Rangel, CEO of Novo Bank! We’ll be discussing financial strategies for fashion entrepreneurs—don’t miss it! (If you want to go ahead and apply for an account, you can do so here!: https://onboarding.novo.co/signup?referral_code=AlexandriaBrown1&first_name=Alexandria)
🔗 Stay Connected:
📲 Follow me on Instagram: @akbrownstl
🌐 Website: www.akbrownstl.com
📖 Read Advisor. Magazine: www.advisormag.co
💬 Love the episode? Leave a review and tag me on Instagram with your biggest takeaway!