S11 E2: You Are Fashion with Nichole M. Bess, Shaquita Garcia, and Queen Safa

WinHers United the podcast is a women empowerment platform that is based on four pillars: business, mindset, personal development, and self-care. At WinHers United we believe these four pillars are necessary to be a successful entrepreneur. During each season, bi-weekly an ah-mazing Woman of Color entrepreneur is interviewed, and tells us more about her business, mindset, personal development, and self-care journey.

Season 11, Episode 2 features Nichole M. Bess - Founder of Noir Fashion Week formerly known as New York Fashion Week Black, Shaquita Garcia - Founder of AART NYC, and Queen Safa - Founder of Safa Designs. During this compilation episode entitled “You Are Fashion”, Nichole, Shaquita, and Queen Safa talk to us about their evolution and experiences in fashion and the fashion industry. Fashion is so much more than clothes, it is life! AND, You Are Fashion!!

Listen in as Nichole talks about: 

• The origins of New York Fashion Week Black, now known as Noir Fashion Week
• The evolution of Noir Fashion Week from Season 1 to Season 2
• Having to rebrand her company and the growth opportunities that this change has presented
• The partnerships that made Noir Fashion Week Season 2 possible 
• Her desire to pave the way for those that are next in line 
• Having flexibility in what you do and how you do it 
• Launching her perfume as an addition to Noir Fashion Week
• New approaches and ideas for future seasons of Noir Fashion Week  
• And more

Nichole’s Bio

Nichole M. Bess, a born leader hailing from Baltimore, MD, began her career in fashion in New York as an intern for industry pioneers, Russell and Kimora Lee Simons. There she was able to cultivate and develop strong industry relationships through her work during New York Fashion Week. Then introduced to supermodel Naomi Campbell. Shortly thereafter, Ms. Bess began an internship with Campbell’s PR firm, NC Connect. It was there she discovered her love for public relations. Although she studied Fashion Design and Marketing at the International Academy of Design, PR came to her naturally. She worked closely with the VP of NC Connect and as a result, was afforded the opportunity to work with fashion designers Betsey Johnson, Esteban Cortazar, Rosa Cha, Diesel, Wolford and brands like Saks Fifth Avenue.

Ms. Bess’ public relations career is one that many would consider successful and glamorous. She established her own firm after just one year in the business, at the tender age of 20. She was able to travel and work on several major projects. 19 years later her work has been featured in Entrepreneur, Vogue, Italian Vogue, CNN, Ebony, 106 & Park, CBS and Cosmopolitan, just to name a few. She found that seeing a dream come true was both fulfilling and gratifying.

In 2022, Ms. Bess changed her trajectory with the participation of the bipoc designer and New York Fashion Week, and built a traveling platform entitled "Noir Fashion Week".

The platform has expanded and is now designed to host over 30 bipoc designers each season in Soho, NY. Since inception, the unprecedented start-up has gained the attention of leading global designers, press and invest-mentors. She looks forward to taking Noir to Sea for a 3-day Cruise installation in September 2023 for S/S 24'. NFW is set to be an industry power platform with its disruptive style of inclusion.

Learn more about Noir Fashion Week at: http://noirfw.com.

Follow Noir Fashion Week on IG @noirfashionwk.

Follow Nichole on IG @nicholembess.

Listen in as Shaquita talks about: 

• Why she calls her fashion designs wearable artwork 
• How it felt to produce the final showcase at Noir Fashion Week Season 2
• What happens behind the scenes to bring a showcase to life 
• Being persistence in your pursuit to greatness (30 years in the making for Shaquita)
• The importance of embracing your individuality
• Not giving up on your dream 
• How she used fashion as a way to conquer bullying, health and mental challenges 
• The importance of dressing up to boost your mood and confidence
• And more

Shaquita’s Bio

Shaquita Garcia is a designer and artist currently living in NYC with her husband and two children. Her brand, AART, came to be just after leaving the corporate world behind to become a stay-at-home mom.

Shaquita’s brand AART NYC has been featured in USA Today, Sweet July, Coveteur, and Sports Illustrated. 

Check out AART NYC at: http://aartnyc.com.

Follow AART NYC on IG @aart_nyc.

Follow Shaquita on IG @theemodernhousewifeny.

Listen in as Queen Safa talks about: 

• Her origins in the fashion industry and lessons learned in business so far
• Where she gets inspiration from for her designs and fashion decisions
• Her aspiration to design for Tracee Ellis Ross 
• The power that clothing and accessories can give you 
• The reason she renamed herself and the meaning behind her name
• Taking fashion risks
• Evaluating fear to figure out where it comes from, so you can move forward with confidence
• Body dysmorphia and embracing your body
• And more 

Queen Safa’s Bio

Queen Safa isn’t just a Fashion Designer, she is an artist. Queen Safa is known for many things in addition to designing fashion which include being a Singer/Songwriter, Poet, Healer/Life Coach, and Fashion Stylist. 

Queen Safa has always been a creative. Her fashion journey started in High School in 10th grade when a friend, who is still a friend and sister till this day, asked “Why don’t you ever wear skirts?” As minimal as this may seem, it got Queen Safa out of the shell of wearing baggy shorts and t-shirts everyday and made her begin to develop her own unique style. 

Her inspiration has always been people, nature, and Prana, the very essence of life. Queen Safa’s art is driven by emotion. Life experiences, color, patterns, shapes all ignite an emotion in her which pours into her poetry, fashion designs, and songs. 

Queen Safa is on a mission to show the world art. Her goal is to make women, men, and people feel a positive, strengthening emotion from the fashion, music, and aura she creates. 

Queen Safa’s vision is to ignite something in you that will inspire you to be your best, beautiful, brightest self!

Follow Queen Safa on IG @queensafa3rdeye.

Follow Safa Designs on IG @shopsafadesigns.

How to stay engaged with and support Nicole Walker and WinHers United

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As always "Be Empowered and Empower On" - Nicole Walker