Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley ”Ley Nicole” Shields.
Ashley, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started out in 2011 as a jewelry designer working with local Houston clothing designers. My first opportunity was making accessories for a local clothing designer who was showcasing her designs for a fashion show. From there, things took off for me with working with models, photographers, and designers. From the many opportunities, I began focusing on wardrobe styling, began blogging about fashion events and music concerts and decided to start an online boutique, which all came in the form of my brand The Foxy Leopard. My inspiration behind The Foxy Leopard brand comes from the fable The Fox and The Leopard.
While growing up in Houston, TX the message of The Fox and The Leopard stayed with me. In that process of finding herself, Ley Nicole’ found fashion as an outlet. Loving animal prints, African culture and the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s era, The Foxy Leopard Boutique came to life in the form of Ley Nicole’ creating and designing jewelry, wardrobe styling, and blogging. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of traveling to New York for New York Fashion Week, chasing my dreams in Los Angeles as a wardrobe stylist, interviewing music artist, actors, actresses, and writers for my blog Styledbyleynicole.blogspot.com. Each experience has provided me with growth and has allowed me to get to where I am today. The freedom to express me through fashion, blogging, and creativity.
I also started a non-profit organization for young girls between the ages of 8-12 called Ley Nicole’s Camp Fashion Rocks! With so much going on in schools these days with bullying, suicide and the killings of our youth, this organization provides an outlet for our girls to explore creativity through fashion projects, field trips, and journaling.
Has it been a smooth road?
I go by the saying… “Turning Obstacles into Opportunities.”
Everyone thinks that you can succeed overnight. There is a lot of hard work, dedication and time that has to be put into your dreams. I have been on my journey for seven years I continue to work hard to get where I will be. The road has not been smooth but I have always kept the faith. Some of my struggles have included dealing with death of close relatives that always encouraged me to follow my dreams, feeling like I had no support system from friends and family, balancing working three jobs at one time to support my dreams, to working a full-time job while balancing being full time in school working on my masters. Through all of my struggles, I managed to hang on and get through. I changed my thought process and bosses up! Everyone has their personal burdens and struggles that they go through. My advice is to keep pushing. See the big picture of your future. Don’t let anyone tell you what you’re not capable of doing.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Foxy Leopard Boutique story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a wardrobe stylist, fashion blogger, boutique owner, and photographer. I specialize majority in the fashion business. Recently, I am being recognized for my photography skills and having awesome photos with some of Houston’s top models and bloggers.
As a brand, I am most proud of my ability to be great in each area that I put my focus in and that what makes me different. I am well rounded and I follow my own path.
(#Styledbyleynicole)
As a wardrobe stylist, my work is not like what’s in trend. I like to work with up and coming models, photographers and makeup artist.
(Styledbyleynicole@blogspot.com)
As a blogger, I am proud of the collaboration and networking with others. I am able to showcase my fashion and also blog on my music festival experiences and award shows.
(Ley Nicole Photography)
As a new photographer of 3 months of, I am proud of capturing my vision and the vision of my clients and bringing their work to life.
(www.thefoxyleopard.bigcartel.com)
As a business owner of The Foxy Leopard Boutique, I am proud to offer accessories that I love for others.
(Instagram: leynicolescampfashionrocks)
As a business owner of Ley Nicole’s Fashion camp, I am proud that I can give back to my community and offer young girls ages 8-12 the opportunity to be creative through art, design, and journaling.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
In my industry, I feel like one barrier has been women not helping each other in the past. I am witnessing a new wave of collaborations, a new wave of female empowerment. Women are creating a lane for themselves. You are starting to see more women events like brunches and workshops.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thefoxyleopard.bigcartel.com
- Email: styledbyleynicole@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/theFoxyLeopard
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheFoxyLeopardBoutique/about/
- Other: www.instagram.com/Tflboutique
Image Credit:
Sherkesha Magee, Ley Nicole of Ley Nicole Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
