Susan Moses has figured out how to take her love for fashion and transition it into multiple opportunities in the fashion industry. We sat down with the go-to celebrity stylist to find out all about her style, to how she discovered the best-kept secret of dressing women with curves.
I travel pretty often for work and appearances, so my daily activities definitely vary. However, no matter where I am, I start my day by stretching and a prayer of gratitude. I also love to work out. I enjoy swimming, boxing and other forms of cardio. After my morning ritual, I read, answer and write emails. There are always meetings, some in person and some via Skype or telephone. I try as often as possible to keep my evenings open for my husband.
I would describe my style as minimalist for the most part. I love black, clean lines and bold accessories. There are times that I enjoy a bit of bohemian sass. I love fringes and floral prints.
I love the magic of it all. When you start a job, it’s storyboards, directional images, meetings and ideas. I love being on set and seeing it all come together. Even after two decades in the business, those moments are still very special to me.
Early in my career I worked with a lot of teen artists: Brandy, Britney Spears, the original Destiny’s Child, Hillary Duff and others. Later as I became more directional about my niche as a stylist, I began working with celebrities that were not the conventional industry size. I have worked with Queen Latifah, Kathy Bates, Wynonna Judd, Jill Scott, and Supermodel Emme to name a few.
It was a combination of my love for beautiful clothing coupled with my experience as a visual merchandiser for retail stores and showrooms, as well as dressing models during fashion week. Those things pushed me in the direction of styling. I always say that fashion found me. I honestly thought I would become a lawyer. At one point, I even attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Styling was the culmination of all the other things I had done: understanding the visual, selling the look and dressing the individual. Then my work as a stylist became so varied—from working on a regular television series for about six seasons and live television shows to commercials, videos, brand campaigns, and photo shoots—the exposure to behind-the-scenes production was immense. I was fascinated by it all and it was very natural transition for me to move to special event and photo shoot production, as well as being in front of the camera.
I am so grateful; I have been blessed with many awesome opportunities. Here are some of the highlights: I was the creative director for “Curvation” which was an intimates and clothing collection inspired by Queen Latifah. I was also the contributing stylist for Mode Magazine, which is deemed the Vogue magazine for curves. I was also the Brand Ambassador for Penningtons, the largest retailer of plus sizes in Canada. Currently, I have a partnership with the legacy brand for curves, Lane Bryant.
Aside from loving clothing and the ability to put an ensemble together that works on different body types for different occasions, it’s really important to be very organized, to be a great listener and to understand the importance of great relationships with designers and brands. Styling is also very personal. You meet clients at some of their most vulnerable moments and are privy to their secrets. I would also suggest the importance of being as discreet as possible.
I’ve always known that one day I would be an author. In fact, when the opportunity presented itself my book proposal had been written a year prior. Art Dressing Curves is highly prescriptive because I wanted to share all the knowledge that I have learned over the years. It’s laced with over two hundred and twenty five beautiful images, iconic quotes and side bars because I wanted to empower the reader and to remind her that there are no size limitations when it comes to great style. If you want it, you can have it!
My inspiration behind the book was for women that wear a size fourteen and up. These women have been marginalized for years and generally not included in the mainstream fashion conversation.
I think all women have something that they struggle with in regard to their bodies. Honestly the majority is the commentary that has been imposed by others: “I’m too fat, my thighs are too big my breasts are too small.” Part of my job is to remind women of just how awesome their bodies are, as they are. And if you want to make any changes you must start with loving yourself first.
I’m infinitely grateful for my incredible village, the people that love me and pray for me daily.
I am launching "Lane Style Studio" in various cities with my partnership with Lane Bryant, which is a free personal stylist service the brand is offering to all customers. I am still promoting my book, and I will be a featured author at the National Book Club Conference in Atlanta this month. There are other exciting things coming down the pike, but they are in process and not ready for a reveal.
I can’t live without facials by the amazing Mamie McDonald, owner of Skin By Mamie in New York, Lancome’s Hypnose Drama Mascara, and Luzern’s Pure Oxygen Creme Luxe Moisturizer.
To keep up with Susan, you can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.
Tell us about a day in the life of Susan Moses.
I travel pretty often for work and appearances, so my daily activities definitely vary. However, no matter where I am, I start my day by stretching and a prayer of gratitude. I also love to work out. I enjoy swimming, boxing and other forms of cardio. After my morning ritual, I read, answer and write emails. There are always meetings, some in person and some via Skype or telephone. I try as often as possible to keep my evenings open for my husband.
How would you describe your style?
I would describe my style as minimalist for the most part. I love black, clean lines and bold accessories. There are times that I enjoy a bit of bohemian sass. I love fringes and floral prints.
So you have styled some of the best in Hollywood and worked on over 50 music videos and countless campaigns. What do you love most about being a stylist?
I love the magic of it all. When you start a job, it’s storyboards, directional images, meetings and ideas. I love being on set and seeing it all come together. Even after two decades in the business, those moments are still very special to me.
Who are some of the celebrities that you’ve worked with?
Early in my career I worked with a lot of teen artists: Brandy, Britney Spears, the original Destiny’s Child, Hillary Duff and others. Later as I became more directional about my niche as a stylist, I began working with celebrities that were not the conventional industry size. I have worked with Queen Latifah, Kathy Bates, Wynonna Judd, Jill Scott, and Supermodel Emme to name a few.
What made you want to become a stylist?
It was a combination of my love for beautiful clothing coupled with my experience as a visual merchandiser for retail stores and showrooms, as well as dressing models during fashion week. Those things pushed me in the direction of styling. I always say that fashion found me. I honestly thought I would become a lawyer. At one point, I even attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
When did you know that you could transition your skills to do other things in the fashion industry?
Styling was the culmination of all the other things I had done: understanding the visual, selling the look and dressing the individual. Then my work as a stylist became so varied—from working on a regular television series for about six seasons and live television shows to commercials, videos, brand campaigns, and photo shoots—the exposure to behind-the-scenes production was immense. I was fascinated by it all and it was very natural transition for me to move to special event and photo shoot production, as well as being in front of the camera.
What are some of the opportunities that came your way?
I am so grateful; I have been blessed with many awesome opportunities. Here are some of the highlights: I was the creative director for “Curvation” which was an intimates and clothing collection inspired by Queen Latifah. I was also the contributing stylist for Mode Magazine, which is deemed the Vogue magazine for curves. I was also the Brand Ambassador for Penningtons, the largest retailer of plus sizes in Canada. Currently, I have a partnership with the legacy brand for curves, Lane Bryant.
What advice can you give women who want to become a stylist?
Aside from loving clothing and the ability to put an ensemble together that works on different body types for different occasions, it’s really important to be very organized, to be a great listener and to understand the importance of great relationships with designers and brands. Styling is also very personal. You meet clients at some of their most vulnerable moments and are privy to their secrets. I would also suggest the importance of being as discreet as possible.
Talk to us about The Art of Dressing Curves.
I’ve always known that one day I would be an author. In fact, when the opportunity presented itself my book proposal had been written a year prior. Art Dressing Curves is highly prescriptive because I wanted to share all the knowledge that I have learned over the years. It’s laced with over two hundred and twenty five beautiful images, iconic quotes and side bars because I wanted to empower the reader and to remind her that there are no size limitations when it comes to great style. If you want it, you can have it!
What was your inspiration for writing the book?
My inspiration behind the book was for women that wear a size fourteen and up. These women have been marginalized for years and generally not included in the mainstream fashion conversation.
What are the top three concerns that women have about their bodies?
I think all women have something that they struggle with in regard to their bodies. Honestly the majority is the commentary that has been imposed by others: “I’m too fat, my thighs are too big my breasts are too small.” Part of my job is to remind women of just how awesome their bodies are, as they are. And if you want to make any changes you must start with loving yourself first.
What are you most grateful for?
I’m infinitely grateful for my incredible village, the people that love me and pray for me daily.
What’s next for Susan Moses?
I am launching "Lane Style Studio" in various cities with my partnership with Lane Bryant, which is a free personal stylist service the brand is offering to all customers. I am still promoting my book, and I will be a featured author at the National Book Club Conference in Atlanta this month. There are other exciting things coming down the pike, but they are in process and not ready for a reveal.
What are your top three products in your ultimate beauty arsenal---What can’t you live without?
I can’t live without facials by the amazing Mamie McDonald, owner of Skin By Mamie in New York, Lancome’s Hypnose Drama Mascara, and Luzern’s Pure Oxygen Creme Luxe Moisturizer.
To keep up with Susan, you can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.