Today we’d like to introduce you to Myoshi McDaniel Smith.
Myoshi, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was raised in a household with my mom Etoile and grandmother, Lillian (Lillie Pooh) who taught herself to sew clothes for my mother and my uncle when they were young. I learned a lot about prints, patterns and silhouettes by watching both my mother and my grandmother get dress. Although growing up, they didn’t have the most glamours jobs they always dressed like they had somewhere important to be. What I learned from this was no matter how much money you have or what type of job you have. It’s important to dress your very best. As a little girl, I would go to work with my grandmother, she worked as a housekeeper at the High Regency Hotel in downtown Houston. This is where I found my love for print work. I would sit for hours looking through magazines at all the fashion models and admiring what they had on, later on I would try to dress my barbies up like they were models and rearrange my dollhouses (I love home decor and staging) In high school I was part of the Fashion Club and Theater Arts this is where I learned to utilize my imagination.
When I studied chartered, I would visualize what they would wear and how to help my audience understand the era of time, their personality, age, etc. I wanted what I wore to tell a story. The beauty of finding the perfect garment can literally change the way you feel about yourself and how others view you as well. I’ve never forgotten all of the jewels that were giving to me along my journey. Earlier on in my career, I worked for a retailer in the men’s accessories department this is where I first learned how to fit men’s dress shirts and learned how men of different body types prefer to wear their pants. I had no idea how this would impact my career. I literally learned to look at the men that would come in and be able to tell them what size they wore without having to take their measurements. I worked as a merchandise manager than an assistant store manager during this time. I was able to learn how to manage my time and help motivate others.
I also had such a passion for help customers find the perfect pair of jeans. But while working in this role, I did a lot of observing my in store talent but also my customers. But, not how you’re probably thinking. I developed a talent of being able to look at a person and telling them exactly what their style was. It’s funny because all the while, I had no idea what I was being prepared for. I wanted to become more creative so I was giving the opportunity to be a merchandise assistant/assistant buyer and I was so excited until I realize that I would basically be chasing PO (purchase orders) and chasing numbers. I learned a lot. I would find myself spending time with the creative directors and picking their brains and finding inspiration with creating look books which wasn’t my job but I always volunteered.
A few years past and I took a few more opportunities where I was able to work in home decor but I had been dressing my friends and local models for years I just never that, me being a Stylist was possible. I started with Macy’s in the Visual Styling overall men, home and kids. I push the envelope with fashion that help to drive the business in a very positive way. Our visual team of three beat out all the other stores in visual execution. Customers starting coming in asking for me and associates would refer clients to me and soon after, I was offered the position to become the Executive Personal Stylist at the newly Flagship Macy’s Store in Memorial City. It’s amazing thinking about how I had been being groomed for this as a child from working my Jr year in high school learning how to fit men in dress shirts. I appreciate the journey that got me where I am and excited to see what’s to come. Passion-Driven.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s most definitely has not been a smooth road. Even to this day, they’re challenges. The benefit of working for such an amazing company like Macy’s is that I have the ability to run my own business. I’m still pretty new in my role with the company so promoting yourself is key. It’s all about getting the word out there that I am here and I have the ability to make your shopping experience easy and fun. I love living in Houston there’s always something going on in and around the city. I would love to find a solution to developing relationships with PR companies. I love to travel and when the opportunity presents itself for me to do what I love all over the world Ill all over it.
Macy’s and MyoshiMona LifeStyle – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am the Executive Fashion Personal Stylist at the only Flagship Macy’s in Houston, located in Memorial City. We are the largest store from here to California, here to Florida and here to New York. My office is located in the Memorial City Macy’s on the 2nd floor. At Macy’s I provide a free Styling service where I specialize in a complete styling experience. From the moment a potential client contacts me (myoshi.mcdaniel.smith@macys.
I also specialized in Visual Styling (Photoshoots,VideoShoot, Creative direction) Image Consultant, Home Decor, Home Staging, Wardrobe Stylist, Closet &Home organizing, Personal Shopping and Event Styling. (MyoshiMona.com coming in April)
The one thing that I’ve done that I know is benefiting to me and my career is betting on myself. I literally stop second-guessing and looking for approval from others to solidify that I’m good enough. About four years ago, I really started to trust myself and go for everything that I’ve desired and I’m watching them unfold daily. I genuinely love helping people I love learning and seeking information about my craft and I’m invested in my business and in my clients. I follow up to check on them and their families not to sell them anything but to really just check on and say thank you for allowing me to be your Personal Stylist.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
There are different levels of success, I base success off of accomplishing goals that I set for myself. I do not compare myself to anyone else in a way that could cause me to judge others or downplay myself for the work that I’ve done.
Contact Info:
- Address: Macy’s Memorial City
900 Memorial City Way Ste 800
Houston, TX 77024 - Website: myoshimona.com
- Phone: 409-599-0218
- Email: myoshi.mcdaniel.smith@
macys.com - Instagram: @iam_myoshimona_
fashionstylist - Twitter: @MyoshiThe1
- Other: @iam_myoshi_ur_
personalstylist
Image Credit:
Fatima Bintu, Grind zoo media
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