Have you ever dreamed about seeing your styling on the runway or the red carpet? Well, New York stylist DaNisha Greene is living your dream! From styling fashion week runway shows to Grammy looks for celebrities such as Nickie Jon Pabón, Greene has worked her way to a successful career in fashion. We caught Greene in between fashion weeks to chat about her recent styling experiences. Interested in Greene’s journey to the top or looking for career-boosting advice? Read the interview below.
Q: How long have you been styling for? Did you start in Indiana?
A: This year will be thirteen years. I’ve been styling professionally since 2010, and I’ve been interested in fashion as a hobby since high school. During my junior year at Broad Ripple High School, I modeled in the fashion break within the talent show. I also styled a show my senior year, but I didn’t know that that was what I was doing. When I went to college at Fisk University, I did the same thing for the homecoming fashion show. I was never intentionally into fashion. I was a media major. I thought I was going to school for theater, radio, and TV, but really I had a passion for fashion.
Q: Were you self-taught, then?
A: I was. I didn’t take any merchandising, styling, or design classes. The only class that I took that was related to fashion was home economics in eighth grade, where you learn how to sew.
Q: How did you break into the industry?
A: My cousin was rapping and I had seen a couple of his music videos. He showed me one, and I was like, “Oh God, these girls look awful. Let me style the models.” So I did. At the time, I only knew how to style a fashion show, so I did a whole casting call for models that wanted to be in the music video. I talked to some hair stylists and makeup artists, and I ended up choosing about ten girls for the video.
It’s funny, because now I think back on how my cousin was the key artist and how he was supposed to be the center of the video. Usually, in music videos, you would just style the artist, but I only styled the background girls—they had full glam and everything. I got started because my cousin did that music video and I thought, “I like this. Let’s keep going.” And that’s what I did.
Q: And now you’re out there styling clients for the Grammys! Was this year’s Grammys the first time you styled a red carpet event?
A: Absolutely, it was my first time. I style models regularly. I sometimes have a client or two. Sometimes it’s personal, other times it’s a person that’s going to a special event. This past Grammys was my very first time styling that kind of event.
Q: What is something you’ve done throughout your career that helped propel you to styling clients at the Grammys?
A: I always show up. As artists and creators, we go through a lot of things personally behind the scenes. Sometimes it’s just showing up that can make all the difference. I’m proud to say that I’ve never canceled any photoshoots, editorial campaign ads, fashion shows, or anything. I haven’t canceled because I’m the one that’s keeping it together. I always show up and follow through with my commitments.
Q: Whenever things get hectic or crazy backstage, how do you keep calm under pressure?
A: I work well under pressure. I have to have a calming spirit and a logical mind because there’s no way that I can manage eighty to a hundred people backstage without being that way. When people tell me different problems, I can’t stop and panic. That doesn’t mean that I don’t get frustrated, but I have to think, “Okay, that happened. Let me switch this around. We have to do this.” When a garment is missing, a designer or makeup artist doesn’t show up, or the model is sick and cancels, you have to be flexible.
Q: What does your client prep routine look like for those big red-carpet events?
A: Prepping is constantly talking, even with the other designers that are involved. So a lot of emailing, texting, and video chats. When I got to LA, I had to hit the ground running and pick up some last-minute things. I had a couple of items shipped from different designers, so I had to have some items shipped directly to the client’s home.
Q: When you are planning looks for your clients, how do you combine each client’s personal style with your own taste and expertise?
A: For one of my clients, the kimono and the glasses were a big push for him. That was not his personal style at all. He is very simple, chill, and laid back. When styling, you have to take into consideration the client’s style: what they absolutely hate and what they’re possibly open to. Try to push them a little bit. Sometimes they don’t see the vision that you see, but once they try it on, they could fall in love with it. Or, they may not like it at all. Don’t take it personally. You want your client to feel great. You don’t want them to regret the style and feel uncomfortable.
Everything that I have styled, I personally like. I would wear those suits if they fit me. But it can’t be about me.
Q: Any advice for aspiring stylists or ideas for habits that they should incorporate into their work?
A: Yes! Show up and follow through with relationships. Keep those relationships with designers, showrooms, and clients. Relationships are more valuable than money. As a stylist, for you to be successful in any area, you need to maintain those work relationships so people will want to work with you and recommend you. Your character and the things that you say matter. Maintaining good work relationships is very key. When people value you and your relationship, they’re going to make sure that they make sure you’re taken care of.
To keep up with Greene, give her a follow on Instagram.
