
Photo Credit: Essence Latifah

Institute Summary
Since 2016, the Fashion + Beauty Institute (formerly Fashion Edition Institute) has provided fashion + beauty professionals and entrepreneurs with an intentional and inspirational learning environment that promotes an “I Got This” mindset. Students are provided career coaching and mentorship that helps build confidence, further develop their brand (personal and/or business), become more comfortable with public speaking, address trauma and limiting beliefs that affect success in the workplace and strengthen their understanding about the operational and administrative responsibilities that help ensure the success of small businesses and departments alike.
Meet Your Industry Experts

Coach Carmen

Livia Walker

Walter Thorne

Fatima Bey

Kierra Jones

Jermaine Wells

Jené Luciani

Tracy Simone

Atena Cain

Kema

Jazmine Bowen
Meet the 2023 Advanced Fashion + Beauty Institute Class
Coco, Fashion Event Host and Performance Coach
Nykesa, Hair Stylist, Hair Product Creator and Owner of Touches by Nykesa Reviving Hair Care Line
Quita, Elegant Dress Designer and Owner of Sew Quita
Institute Details
Institute Description
Rising badass fashion + beauty pros and entreprenuers aged 18-35 enroll in this Institute to receive industry specific career mentorship and coaching from field experts.
We accept up to 8 emerging fashion + beauty professionals and entrepreneurs who are driven to disrupt the status quo, break down and break through the barriers of economic disparity, and advocate for themselves within the fashion + beauty world. The team of industry professionals is seeking to mentor, advide and coach individuals who are serious about advancing their career or growing their small business. We invite individuals who are coachable, embrace honest feedback and desire to improve while bringing their career and/or small business to the next level.
Fashion + beauty students will focus their attention on how to:
- Enhance their brand and influence
- Develop a better understanding of industry trends and how it operates
- Work alongside a community of industry professionals and peers who inspire forwarrd forward movement and advancement
Each Fashion + Beauty Institute student will be paired with a coach to help with the development and implementation of a 6 month action plan.
At the end of 6 months, we will celebrate and showcase the success of the students at the Fashion + Beauty Showcase attended by area industry professionals, family and friends. Students present the goals they’ve achieved during the Institute, announce the additional resources they need to bring themselves to the next level and are awarded with a customized toolkit based on needs career advancement needs.
Ideal Candidates
Age: 18-35
Candidate Status: We are seeking motivated, coachable fashion + beauty professionals and entrepreneurs who embrace honest feedback, desire to improve their skills and knowldge about the business behind the industry. Candidates must have 2+ years of experience plus a passion and desire to grow in the fashion and/or beauty industries whether you:
- work for and support the growth of a small, medium or large fashion or beauty company
- offer freelance services in the construction + design industry or
- run a business in the construction + design industry
You can currently in one or more of the following positions:
-
- Designer (accessories, footwear and apparel)
- Wardrobe/Personal Stylist
- Event Producer (fashion shows and events)
- Film Producer and/or Director
- Model
- Creative Director (fashion shows, photoshoots and events)
- Beauty: Makeup, hair, etc. for fashion professionals and/or events
- Lifestyle Brand + Retailer
- Blogging
- Fashion and Talent Agent
- Graphic Designer
- Fashion Show Stylist
- Fashion Ambassadors
- Visual Merchandising
Institute Phases
PHASE 1: Trauma Informed + Growth Mindset
We prepare you to have a positive experience by identifying and addressing trauma that leads to limiting beliefs as well as negative reactions which can hinder your learning experience and overall positive growth and development. Addressing trauma from the onset sets the stage for a transformational learning experience.
PHASE 2: Customer/Client Identification
You will identify and clarify who your customer or client is, why you are marketing and selling to this target audience as well as your passion and motivation behind working with these individuals.
For those self-motivated employees out there, the company leadership team is your client!
PHASE 3: Marketing + Brand Development
You will further develop your personal brand as an industry professional as well as the brand of their small business or company department.
PHASE 4: Behind the Business of the Industry
You will enhance your knowledge and skills about the administrative and operational responsibilities needed to run a successful business or be an irreplaceable employee within a company. From content and team development to proposal writing, you learn the value of and how to master these skill sets.
PHASE 5: Public Speaking + Networking
Getting comfortable motivating groups of people to take action will bring you far! You will strengthen your confidence and ability to publicly present research findings, pitch proposals, train team members, and lead meetings. You improve in business and career driven verbal, written and nonverbal communication alongside industry peers and experts.
PHASE 6: Celebrate + Launch
Celebrating success and growth is INCREDIBLY important. We will celebrate and showcase your work, achievements and aspirations through an annual public in-person Construction + Design showcase.
PHASE 7: Accountability Mentorship
You will be paired with an accountability mentor to assure you continue to implement action steps related to the next level goals you established for yourself by the end of the first 6 months of the Institute. This mentorship will be provided for one year after the first 6 months of the Institute.
*You MUST apply by December 3rd to gain complimentary access to this resource.*
Schedule + Cost
Institute Schedule
Dates: February 2023 – August 2023
February 2023: Mindset Retreat, an experience to prepare you for the Fashion + Beauty Institute lifestyle.
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, every Monday and Tuesday
Application accepted October 12, 2022 – December 16, 2022
Interviews will take place in November and December
Institute Tuition
$2,150 for early stage entrepreneurs or professional paying themselves (true value: over $16,000) – supports the cost of a 3night/4day Fashion Mindset Retreat, weekly coaching, supplies, workbook, dinner at each session, RT travel and overnight accommodations for the NYC Fashion + Beauty tour* and your custom business toolkit. PAYMENT PLANS ARE OFFERED.
*The Fashion + Beauty tour will be a 2night/3day business trip in NYC that includes meetings with fashion + beauty professionals who are staples of the global fashion + beauty industry.
The business toolkit will include equipment, supplies and gift certificates aligned with your individual career and/or business goals. Items may include a sewing table, shoe horns, certificates to pro bono or low-cost marketing services, and more.
$8,000 for established businesses investing in their team members – supports the cost of a 3night/4day Fashion Mindset Retreat, weekly coaching, supplies, workbook, dinner at each session, RT travel and overnight accommodations for the NYC Fashion + Beauty tour* and your custom business toolkit. PAYMENT PLANS ARE OFFERED.
*The Fashion + Beauty tour will be a 2night/3day business trip in NYC that includes meetings with fashion + beauty professionals who are staples of the global fashion + beauty industry.
The business toolkit will include equipment, supplies and gift certificates aligned with your individual career and/or business goals. Items may include a sewing table, shoe horns, certificates to pro bono or low-cost marketing services, and more.
Program Impact
25
students have completed the institute
19
have continued growing their careers in the local fashion industry
16
grew their businesses in terms of clients and revenue
3
hired additional employees
8
students grew into successful freelancers
Unique Mason
Fashion Designer
“I feel more motivation to move forward with my business because I have a better understanding of production costs, my customer profiles and how to operate my business.”
Company: Uniquely D’Vine
Donnay Stone
Emerging Fashion Designer
“I got to see the real ins and outs of how the back end side of the industry works. I experienced and develop[ed] a deeper understanding of the business of fashion from industry leaders.”
Malaika Iyok
Wardrobe Stylist
“Meeting professionals in the industry helped me get valuable feedback about what I want to do and knowing someone in the professional field of what I want to do gave me the confidence to do it.”
Company: Iyok Stylez
Eugene O’Neill
Apparel Designer
“The program is what I asked for. Our experience with Kierra, one of the teachers/mentors, helped me define who my brand is for.”