The future of fashion is in good hands with this round of guests who hit the main stage at GU Creator’s House on Sunday afternoon. Trendsetters Wole Olosunde, Sierra Rena, and Zay Morris joined GU Social Lead Rhyann Sampson for an insightful conversation about the future of fashion during the “Cut The Dupe” panel.
Olosunde started the conversation by talking about the growth of his brand, Against Medical Advice, and how the idea stemmed from being mentored by a seamstress.
While working as an ER Trauma Nurse, the clothing designer learned how to sew clothes. Learning how to stitch fabric together inspired him to design clothes for himself and others.
“Guidance and mentorship are important in life,” Olsunde said. “Whether it’s for my career as a nurse or designer, I’ve always wanted to push knowledge to whoever needs it…Without guidance, it’s hard to find your path because you’ll be finding it through trial and error. Trying and messing up takes money and time. Honestly, sometimes all you need is advice to know how to do something for it to work.”
The conversation continued with Rena as she touched on embracing her young age and using it to disrupt conventional fashion industry standards.
“I don’t know many other 22-year-olds working at this level of celebrity styling,” Rena said. “With my eyes and creativity, I’m able to show my personality and that fashion is supposed to be fun…If you’re passionate about it [fashion], your passion will show through. When I’m going into these spaces, I honestly let God speak through me.”
Rena possesses an extensive resume of styling celebrity clients like Monet McMichael, SZA, Tyla, and others. As an emerging stylist, she understands the value of inclusivity by instilling confidence in her clients regardless of body type and size while also keeping their personal style in mind.
“We’re in a totally different generation now,” Rena continued. “Anybody can model at this point or be on the runway. So, it’s important to know how to style different body types. Fashion is changing, and we have to be ready to highlight everyone, not just those who are size zero or two.”
Morris ended the chat by highlighting how Southern culture and music influence his creative fashion designs.
“I don’t think Southern designers get enough credit for the creativity they bring to the fashion game,” Morris said. “A lot of stuff that makes it to the biggest cities starts underground, and I’m extremely tapped into that culture.”
Morris founded the New Orleans-based multidisciplinary design house Saint Michéle Atelier. The fashion powerhouse is a trailblazer in his field as he blends fashion and environmentalism with a focus on sustainability. A jack of all trades, Morris’s creative mediums include photography, film, furniture, and home decor alongside ready-to-wear fashion. Exploring his different passions helps the creative pull inspiration for current and future projects.
“Experimentation is the biggest part of my brand,” Morris continued. “I try something and if it doesn’t work, I toss it. I come back to it and try again when I have the tools to perfect the process.”
Although the differences between the fashion game changers were on display, all agreed that the future of fashion depends on people embracing their originality and using their passions as sources of inspiration. “Allowing yourself the space not to do what’s expected of you is when you really find that thing that drives you,” Sampson concluded.