Today we’d like to introduce you to Sakile (Kiki Styles) Cobb.
Hi Sakile (Kiki, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m Sakile “Kiki Styles” Cobb, a 24-year-old natural hair care specialist, editorial hairstylist, and content creator based in Chicago. While I earned my Natural Hair Care Specialist license in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, I didn’t immediately pursue hairstyling as my full-time career. At the time, I was studying marketing and viewed hair as something I loved but not necessarily something I could build my future around.
Everything changed in April 2024 when I entered my first hair show competition as a solo stylist. That experience completely shifted my perspective. It reminded me that hairstyling is more than a service—it’s an art form, a way to tell stories, preserve culture, and inspire confidence. That competition also led to an opportunity to be featured in an upcoming BET documentary exploring the evolution of Black hair, which further affirmed that I was on the right path.
Determined to take my career seriously, I began investing in myself. Later that year, I attended New York Fashion Week, where one of my behind-the-scenes videos unexpectedly went viral. That moment opened new doors and reignited the creative spark that made me fall in love with hairstyling in the first place.
Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to style for New York Fashion Week, Chicago Fashion Week, editorial shoots, commercials, film productions, musical artists, professional athletes, and major beauty events like ESSENCE Festival and BEAUTYCON. I’ve also continued competing in live hair competitions because I believe growth happens when you’re willing to challenge yourself and keep learning.
Today, my mission is to showcase the beauty, versatility, and artistry of textured hair in ways that inspire people both inside and outside of the beauty industry. Whether I’m creating for the runway, behind the scenes on set, or in the salon, I want every style to celebrate culture, creativity, and self-expression.
I’m still early in my journey, but every opportunity has reinforced one thing: when you invest in your passion, stay open to learning, and trust your creativity, your purpose has a way of finding you. My goal is to continue pushing the boundaries of natural hair artistry while creating opportunities for the next generation of beauty professionals to dream even bigger than I did.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth journey. There have been setbacks, moments of uncertainty, and times when I questioned whether I was moving in the right direction. But I’ve learned that when you truly feel called to something, obstacles don’t stop you, they shape you. Every challenge has taught me something that made me a better artist and a stronger business owner.
Ironically, my biggest obstacle hasn’t been failure, it’s been growth. Every new opportunity expands my vision of what’s possible, so the finish line keeps moving. I’ll accomplish one goal, and suddenly I’m dreaming even bigger. Keeping up with my own evolving ambitions and deciding where I want to go next has been one of the hardest parts of the journey.
I’ve realized that success isn’t about reaching one final destination. It’s about continuing to grow, staying curious, and embracing every experience that pushes me closer to the artist and woman I’m becoming.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a Chicago-based natural hair care specialist, editorial hairstylist, and content creator who specializes in healthy hair, textured hair, protective styling, and creative editorial hairstyling. Whether I’m working behind the chair, backstage at Fashion Week, or on set, my goal is always the same: to create styles that celebrate the beauty, versatility, and culture of Black hair.
Many people know me as “the hairstylist who did the girls’ hair in the bathroom” at New York Fashion Week. What started as simply helping a young lady in an unexpected situation turned into a viral moment that introduced thousands of people to my work. For me, that experience wasn’t about going viral, it was about showing up, being prepared, and serving others when they needed me most.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just style hair—I create experiences and tell stories through it. My background in marketing allows me to think beyond the hairstyle itself and understand how to build moments that connect with people. I approach every client, runway show, editorial shoot, and competition with creativity, professionalism, and a willingness to keep learning. I believe the best hairstylists never stop being students of their craft, and that’s the mindset I bring into every opportunity.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
If I’m being honest, I think every major step in my career has been a risk.
Choosing to attend beauty school during the uncertainty of COVID-19 was a risk. Moving back to Chicago after graduating from college was a risk, especially after earning a marketing degree and turning down opportunities in Virginia because I believed I was supposed to build something at home. Deciding to work in my family salon full-time instead of pursuing a traditional marketing career was another risk.
Entering my first hair show competition in 2024 was one of the biggest risks I had taken because I was putting my creativity on display to be judged. But that single decision opened doors I never could have planned for, from fashion shows to editorial work, beauty events, and opportunities that continue to shape my career today.
I think people often forget that creativity is vulnerable. As artists, we spend hours creating something that we hope people will understand, connect with, and appreciate, but we never get to control how it’s received. Every time I post a video, enter a competition, or step backstage at a major event, I’m taking a risk. My work becomes part of my digital footprint and a reflection of who I am as an artist.
But I’ve learned that growth lives on the other side of risk. If I had waited until I felt completely ready or guaranteed success, I would have missed every opportunity that’s brought me to where I am today. I’ve realized that being willing to be seen, evaluated, and even misunderstood is the price of building a creative career and it’s a price I’m willing to pay.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kikistyles-natural-elegance.my.canva.site/kiki-styles-hairstylist-media-kit-2026-pdf
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairby.styles?igsh=Y2d3a3QzeTJtYzdo
