Meet Lawanda Wallace

Lawanda Wallace, Consultant

Meet Lawanda Wallace... An inspirational figure who has climbed the ranks in NY's Fashion Scene, I talk to her about her journey, her inspirations and what keeps her on top and confident ....

1.Could you give us a brief overview and insight into your progression into your current career now? 

With a degree in Marketing and a Post Graduate in Fashion Buying & Merchandising from the London College of Fashion (UK) I started my career  in the buying offices of Harvey Nichols (UK) later, moving back to New York working for Saks Fifth Avenue and  Macy’s.  Throughout the past 8 years I've held several positions and moved up the ranks quickly working as a Product Development Manager, Associate Buyer and was later promoted to Fashion Director.  My keen eye for detail and in depth fabric knowledge has complimented my expertise in women’s contemporary, menswear and home & lifestyle markets.   I am currently a consultant for brands - by providing global trend forecasting, identifying new trends from a pattern, colour and print point of view, researching new designers, innovative shop concepts and creating seasonal colour palettes for various retailers, trend agencies or privately owned shops.

2. What are the challenges you have faced along the way and how did you overcome them?

When I first started my career I had work experience in a completely different industry. I wanted to be able to be competitive so I moved abroad and studied at LCF and obtained a postgraduate in Buying and Merchandising. 

3. What characteristics and skills do you admire in the people that cross your path? 

I admire people that step out in faith. People that do whatever they need to do to make their dreams come true... people that challenge themselves to do things beyond their comfort zone. 

4. What inspires you and has enabled you to become the confident woman you are today? 

I get inspired by knowing other peoples stories and processes. What's enabled me to become confident is knowing I am uniquely me! 

Enjoy the day Beauties

LA xoxo

Beautilicious Week- Day 6 - Reem Kanj of FiveFiveFabulous

Reem Kanj Founder of FiveFiveFabulous
www.fivefivefabulous.com

Today, we meet and interview the Superb Reem Kanj, Fashion Blogger & Founder of FiveFiveFabulous.com, Ambassador of Puma, Hoss Intropia, Sun Silk (Middle East)  and Special Lecturer at University of The Arts...

So just to gain a perspective back ground of Reem and why I have chosen to make her the feature of the day, let's take a look at her history:

Reem founded her own Fashion Blog FiveFiveFabulous  in 2009, as a silent retaliation to being labelled 'average' at 5 ft 5". The last three years has seen her swoop from the Hoss Intropia e-commerce launch in Madrid,  Net-a-Porter & Dolce Gabanna commencement to Front Row at London, Paris, NY and Milan Fashion Weeks & to put it in simpler terms soar to tremendous heights. Alongside designing an exquisite Fashion line House of Rena with her sister, she is also sharing her expertise   lecturing at the University of the Arts.



1.What are your staple beauty products that you cannot live without?
I can't live without my Elizabeth Arden hand cream, Kheils lip balm and my tinted moisturiser from Cosmetics a la Carte. 

2. What makes a woman beautiful and in your opinion stand out from the crowd?

I think confidence makes a woman stand out from a crowd and humility makes a woman beautiful. It's also nice to see women celebrate their natural look and not try and achieve a 'perfect barbie doll' image. 

3. You have made a sublime success of yourself at a very young age - What would you say was critical to you along your journey?

Thank you, I would like to think I've only just begun! I think it was a huge factor that I took myself out of a negative crowd when I was younger and re-evaluated my ambitions. I begun to think of my future and with that came a more positive energy, especially with who I began associating myself out with. 

Another factor was being consistent in my work, I don't really like to take days off and always have work in the back of my mind. It sounds like I'm a bit of a workaholic, which admittedly I am but I always make time for friends and family. 

Finally, I know what I want and I have a goal, I think that's important. Make a plan and adhere to it, it's easier to try and control what's in front of you. Of course it goes without saying that you should consider what your dreams are but also bear in mind what is achievable. 

4. Has aiming for the stars fulfilled you and made you a contented woman?

What I'm doing makes me proud but I think I'm content with other aspects of my life. Then again, everything rolls into one. So I guess you could say so. It's always going to be a happy and proud moment when you achieve what you aimed for. In saying that, there's still so much more that I want to do so I can't fully say I'm there yet! 

5. What is the most important lesson you have learnt as a woman?

Nothing comes easy! Work hard and stay genuine. It sounds cliché but you won't believe what you can achieve through commitment and consistency. 

Follow Reem:
Twitter: Twitter.com/ReemKanj

Facebook: Facebook.com/FiveFiveFabulous

Tumblr: FiveFiveFabulous.Tumblr.com

Have a peak at the behind the scenes shoot of The House Of Rena debut collection, shot on a secluded beach in Dubai.... 

Beauty is a whole sphere, and can reach right into the depths of your dreams and desires

LA xoxo