SPEAKER_02 1:45

Welcome to another episode of the Hilltop Glove Podcast. And today we have the pleasure of speaking with the talented DQ Styles. Known for his exceptional flair and creativity, DQ is a five-time award-winning personal and editorial wardrobe stylist based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has over a decade of experience in the fashion industry and has established himself as a versatile and innovative stylist. He has collaborated with models, fashion magazines, television networks, and major brands to craft standout looks that capture attention and inspire, just like the look today. Yes. It captured my attention when he walked in. DQ's work is characterized by a unique sense of versatility, seamlessly, blending diverse elements at his photo shoots, and his commitment to innovation and excellence has made him a respected name within the fashion world. So thank you for being here today.

SPEAKER_00 2:40

I appreciate y'all.

SPEAKER_02 2:42

Yeah. So how are you?

SPEAKER_00 2:44

I'm good.

SPEAKER_02 2:45

You nervous? Yes. Don't be nervous. This is just a regular conversation. Don't be nervous. We we're really nice over here. We're really chill.

SPEAKER_00 2:52

So yeah, I'm a natural, like, nervous person. Oh. When it comes down to like interviewing and stuff like that, because I gotta kinda I'm used to being behind the camera. That's what I was gonna say. I'm comfortable with that. And so when myself gotta be out there, I get Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 3:09

You get people ready to be in front of the camera. You're usually in front of the camera. Correct. Understood.

SPEAKER_02 3:14

So um for our audience that are not familiar with you, tell us a little bit about your upbringing, your childhood, what influenced you as a child, and what was it like?

SPEAKER_00 3:23

Well, uh, I was raised by my uh grandparents. Um uh I had a regular childhood, like I uh had friends. Um, but I I believe like fashion has always been something that I kind of been connected to. Um honestly, I thought I was gonna be in a wedding planner because I would normally watch like wedding shows. It was it was like three things wedding shows, people um having uh babies or um fashion. It was like always one of those three, like I would literally like, or uh uh cooking shows. So like I will always like, you know, you watch your normal kids' TV shows, but I will always watch stuff like that. I think that always like interests me in a way. And I think when I was a kid, like I I didn't know, obviously. You know, you being a seven, eight-year-old, you know, you don't know what you want to do, right? You know, or what you're supposed to do. Right. And I think for me, um, my grandma always uh specifically made sure whatever I do that I kind of like stick to that, and um I guess kind of like whatever I want to do, she was always like supporting me. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 4:43

It's good to have that as a child, especially because like you said, you're bumping from career to career, or you want to be over here, but you think you need to be over here, as long as someone is accepting you wherever you're at.

SPEAKER_00 4:54

It's yeah, yeah. And I think um all of my family, not just her. I I think uh for me, that was very important, like on my path of trying to figure out what I wanted to do, because for a long time I didn't know what I was supposed to do. Um, because just because you know how to dress doesn't mean that you not address other people. So I think for me, I didn't want to kind of get that confused. And it took me like years to find out like what I'm actually was my therapist, actually.

SPEAKER_02 5:24

Wow.

SPEAKER_00 5:24

Um, she was just like, you know, fashion is something that I can just I can meet somebody um and I can know how to dress them. Like it was weird, like I can have a conversation with them, but then I can kind of they can kind of tell me about themselves, stuff like that, but I can literally in my mind like figure out like, okay, this will go with this with them, maybe not this, add this, take this away. So it's like um that was something that always came uh second nature for me. Fashion. If I really think about something that I was kind of this is a natural gift for me, fashion has always been that.

SPEAKER_01 6:02

That is crazy because I got problems with that. That's amazing how you're able to do that. I'm looking at I was looking at your your Instagram and stuff. I'm telling you, your eye for it is amazing. Thank you. I was amazing.

SPEAKER_02 6:14

Now, I I know some people struggle with like body dysmorphia and stuff like that. So, what kind of advice would you give someone if they are struggling and they're looking to um, I guess, upgrade their wardrobe?

SPEAKER_00 6:28

Um, well, first I would uh say that I think taking it a little bit at a time, you know, maybe finding something that um because everybody kind of has something that they're insecure about. True. Um so whether it's their arms, they legs, they stomach. Um, so I think finding something that uh feel comfortable first. Maybe like something, maybe if you're a female, you wear something flowy that that's not so much a bit tension on your stomach or your arms or your legs or whatever the case may be. But I think you kind of gotta build if you have those type of issues. Um, or whatever type of issues. Um, I think that you have to kind of build yourself up and to know that you don't have to always be perfect when it comes down to fashion because people are so critical of themselves. And obviously, when you first meet somebody, that's the first thing they notice about you is your smile and what you have on. But I think we sometimes get kind of so hung up on other people's um perspective of us, and I think as long as you kind of know who you are and you kind of build that self-esteem within yourself, I think that you can overcome that. That's a good question. I I I like that.

SPEAKER_02 7:51

It just came off the top of my head, and that was not in the notes because technically that's what you're dealing with.

SPEAKER_01 7:56

Yeah, yeah. Every day when you're working in your industry and you're getting clothes ready and styling folks, you're having to talk with them and discuss those things to find out what is comfortable for them, what works for them. Obviously, you have I for anyway, because you know, all right, this is gonna look good on you. Yes, just trust me. Is it hard sometimes to get people to trust you?

SPEAKER_00 8:14

It is. It is because uh for so long, like you know, you may have somebody who kind of stuck in, you have a lot of people who stuck in their ways when it comes down to fashion. Some people just, you know, they're comfortable wearing black. It's nothing wrong with black. I mean, I love black, but you can't have a full wardrobe of black. Like, where's the diversity in the wardrobe? And I think for me, uh, my therapist told me a long time ago that uh what I do is a form of someone else's therapy.

SPEAKER_03 8:46

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 8:46

Because you kind of, you know, some people I've had to where I try to transform people's identity in a way because you know, you get to I try to get to know my clients, who you are, you know, what you like, um, what don't you like about fashion, what do you like about fashion, what ways do you want to prove about fashion? And I think people they kind of um put themselves in a box, and I don't think fashion should be that way. Right. I think fashion should be fun and shit. Um and I think for me, I just try to build their self-esteem. Because a lot of people I have worked with and who who I am working with, they you kind of getting to know people, you kind of understand that they a lot of people really have self-esteem issues. It's not more so of um, you know, intern. I well, I guess it is internal, but I think when it comes down to fashion, it's like the not knowing of what may look right on you. Like I always tell people it's nothing wrong with missing patterns, it's nothing wrong with mixing colors. Um, you know, you may have on an all-black outfit, it's nothing wrong with that, but you can pop that with a shoe. You know, a shoe that's uh green or purple or red, or and I think for me, it's just I be wanting to make somebody else feel good. Yeah, you give people confidence.

SPEAKER_01 10:07

I can tell it. I already know because the way you're talking to me, I'm feeling confident. I ain't got I'm like, yeah, whatever you say, I'm gonna put that on. Like, yeah, you give confidence. That's that's that's what you're doing. That's awesome. That's awesome. Now, question now she writes all the questions. She's the words person and she puts the stuff together. It's awesome. This is a great question because it's something we always want to ask for. Because we don't get to speak or sit down with a lot of stylists. So could you tell us what a day in the life of a stylist looks like?

SPEAKER_00 10:38

Um, well, for me, uh, when I'm working with the client, it it depends on what I'm doing for the client because I duh I do um personal and editorial styling, music videos, um, TV appearances, performances, um, and closet organizing. So it really just depends on what that specific client needs and wants. Um, I think every client is different. Um, like currently, right now, I've been doing a lot of closets lately. Like, I have a closet tomorrow. Really? How does that work? How does that work doing a closet?

SPEAKER_02 11:15

Um get rid of scratch.

SPEAKER_00 11:18

Well, yes, in a way, like I'm very much a person of like because in that way, a lot of people hold on to stuff because of you know, grief. Some people hold on to stuff um maybe because they just don't know how to let go of things. And I think with closet organizing, you can kind of show people a better way in organizing their lives. Because some people's closet is just every everything's everywhere. And I don't think that's how you kind of need to manage your life. I think when you have an organized closet, it's easier for you to see what you have. Preach, preach, and see, you know, and see some stuff that maybe if you ain't worn in like 10 years, most likely you're not gonna wear it. So you need to kind of take it out, but it's nothing wrong with having pieces. Yeah, you know, you maybe have a uh like a skirt that maybe pooped out, or a guy may have some green pants that he maybe can you can reverse it the look with something else. Maybe add it with a blazer or maybe add it with a vest. So I think for me, it just depends on uh what I'm doing specifically for that person, like a music video, that's a whole different thing because you're on a set for eight, ten hours all day, you know, and let it not be like three different looks. Because it's like you're changing, you gotta make sure that you um because I do creative directing too. So I've literally have done creative directing and styling on a music video at the same time.

SPEAKER_02 12:47

I know that's stressful, yes.

SPEAKER_00 12:49

But for me, I work better under stress. Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_01 12:52

Which is okay. So you're excited, like it makes you, yeah, it gets you going.

SPEAKER_00 12:56

It makes me excited, and I and I and I like to see the finished product. Yeah, that's that's the best part. And seeing the the client, whoever I'm working with, smile, because that's what you want. You want them to say, well, wow, you did a good job, or this was great, and I like how this came together. And I think uh to me, it's not more so proving the client. Because for me, I used to be like, you know, I want to try to impress the client with whatever I'm doing. But it's really me. Like, how can I outdo myself uh when it comes down to uh styling people and doing people's closets and all of that?

SPEAKER_02 13:31

So out of what out of everything you do, what is your favorite? Is it editorial or uh shows?

SPEAKER_00 13:40

It is editorial, editorial, I can tell, yeah. Why, why is my favorite because I just like the whole because you literally see somebody when you first work with them, they kind of like shy, nervous, maybe not a person who opens up, and then you see them kind of turn into a like a beautiful flower in a way. It's like you've seen them and I'm watching them like like go. Like wow. And to me, I try to be everybody's biggest cheerleader when it comes down to that, because um you just never know what people's story is or what people's background is, and me coming in as a stylist, uh, like I said, it is a way of of therapy for it's personal too, because you're right there in their space with the what they're wearing, yeah. Yeah, and for me, it's like I I like to see people smile. Um, and I think that's that's that's my gift and talent. Yeah, that's awesome.

SPEAKER_02 14:33

Can you talk about the importance of it? Because as a photographer, people will come to photo shoots and they don't have any type of direction. The theme does not match the style. And I'm just like, how long did you how long did it take you to the one pick this outfit out? Yeah. Who approved the outfit? You know, did you really think about how it would look in the end, or did you just grab something and come here?

SPEAKER_00 14:57

Yeah, and I think for me, I'm very much a person. Like, I I take a little minute when it comes down to a photo shoot. Like, I can't just for me, as far as like Instagram stuff, I don't just post just a post, it has to be a reason. Oh, it has to be a uh something I'm really passionate about. Um, as far as the project, but when it comes down to a photo shoot, I I need to break the whole photo shoot down. Like I need to figure out, okay, well, do you have as a if I'm working with another photographer, um, do you have a mood board? Or what, you know, what is this vision? What are we doing? So, because when it comes down to styling, I had to make sure that it matches what the photographer wants. It's a if if it's a creative shoot idea, but if it's my creative shoot or just a regular styling thing, I like to create mood boards for my clients. I've been doing it for you know 10 years. Creating mood boards to where the client can see themselves on the vision board before the actual clothes come. So we can kind of figure out, okay, well, if I need to change this or tweak this, like if we do an outside shoot and it's cold, okay, well, right, I'm not gonna put them on something flowy and it's cold. Yeah, I'm not gonna do that. So for me, it's all about breaking everything down because to me, everything is a process, yeah. Um, and I may take a little minute with that process because I'm very much a person who over analyzes, over-analyze, and I overthink. So, because in my mind, like before, say if I'm working with both of y'all, yeah, like before I send you that mood board, I'm gonna change it 30 times before I send because I and naturally I'm a perfectionist. Okay. And so for me, I I want to make sure it's right and I want to do a good job for the uh project. So I think for me, it's it is about the whole thing. I look at the whole picture of it. Um, I think, and a lot of people don't do that. You just like you say, you just come however.

SPEAKER_01 17:05

Yeah, just show up.

SPEAKER_02 17:07

Yeah, they do that.

SPEAKER_01 17:08

Now I have to ask this question. Did you go to did you have any formal education?

SPEAKER_02 17:13

Our school and school list?

SPEAKER_01 17:15

Yeah, no. Okay, yo, you were good. I'm telling you, I'm up there looking at yourself while you're talking about it, right? You are good. Um, and you weren't no formal education, no self-taught.

SPEAKER_00 17:25

Yes, honestly, like people ask me, like, did you go to school for styling? Yeah, I did not.

SPEAKER_01 17:30

Like because you have a plan and a way that you do it. You have a fun, like there's a process.

SPEAKER_00 17:35

Like, I had some people uh that I uh talk to to this day, like uh celebrity stylist Troy uh Clanton.

SPEAKER_03 17:43

Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_00 17:44

I talk to him a lot. Um, he helps me, he he has helped me a lot as far as uh who I want to be as a stylist and giving me good advice and stuff like that. But as far as styling is concerned, it's that it's a natural guy, given talent that I tell people, because I didn't go to school for it, I didn't take a training class, I didn't do anything. Like I just was told that you know I could dress, but again, just because you can dress doesn't mean you could dress other people, right? So, but I think it just I don't know, it just came to me and I just know how to put stuff together.

SPEAKER_02 18:24

You have the eye, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 18:25

Like I can literally go in people's closets and I'm like, okay, so you have this, you have this, let's put this with this, this, change this, take this off, and then they just be looking like, oh wow. I have other stitches in my closet, but I don't know what to do already. Yeah, and a lot of people tell me that. Yeah, you know how to do, you know how to dress yourself, but when it comes down to other people, it's like it's kind of like doing hair. Yeah, you can do your own hair, but when it's somebody else's, but I don't trust it.

SPEAKER_02 18:56

So, okay, let's say if you're interested in being a celebrity stylist, how do you go about picking your clients? Because you don't want to pick somebody that is just like, you know, totally not within your market. How do you do that? Like, how do you narrow down who's the best person? Like, okay, I'm interested in styling influencer. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 19:15

Like, how do you, yeah? Um, to me, it's all about a connection uh with anybody I work with. Like, I have to feel it within myself. Like, I can't just say, oh, I meet somebody on the street and I'm like, oh, I want to dress you, or I, you know, I feel like you need to be have a stylist. For me, it's all about I have to feel it like in my uh in my heart. Like I like I need to work with this person. Oh wow. Um, and I think for me it's not about the celebrity, honestly. I've I've I've never wanted to be a celebrity stylist or anything like that. Now, if that comes, an opportunity presents itself, then so be it. But I think for me, I like working with regular people. I think um because to me they're more humble in my opinion. Um, and I feel like that they just more acceptable. Yeah. As far as being open, and you don't have like a team kind of, because even with if you have a silus uh in your celebrity, it has to be approved through other people. Like you can't just I can't just be like here, put on this orange dress, walk down that red carpet. Like, you know, you they have managers, you have agents, you have publicists, and all those people. And I think for me, it kind of minimize all that when you just work with somebody, just a one-on-one experience. And uh, I love that more.

SPEAKER_01 20:42

Yeah, that is an interesting uh question, man. Um it just to build on that question. So when you when you find somebody that you want to work with or recently finding people to work with, do they find you or do you reach out to them?

SPEAKER_00 20:57

Um, it's it's two-way street. Um, sometimes a lot of the clients that I have and new clients that I have as well, it's either be word of mouth. A lot of stuff be word of mouth, and there's some stuff to be through Instagram. Maybe they've saw me on fashion shows, you know, maybe I have a flyer or something, and then they go around, it'd be like, oh, well, who is this? So it really just depends. Um, it has been times where I've seen a post uh that somebody uh put on Instagram or something, Facebook, and they'd be like, I well, I need to stylist, and I will inbox them. Um, but it's rare.

SPEAKER_01 21:34

It would have to really be somebody that you have a want or will to work with. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 21:38

Gotcha.

SPEAKER_02 21:39

Do you have a top three that you would like to work with?

SPEAKER_00 21:43

Um as far as you mean like styling.

SPEAKER_02 21:45

Who would you just love to style and like dream style?

SPEAKER_00 21:49

Dream styling. Uh well, I feel like I okay, three. I I would love to, even though she does not need my help, but I think uh I love Tracy as Ross.

SPEAKER_02 22:03

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 22:04

Oh I love She's so versatile. Yes. Oh I love her aesthetic. I love how she one carries herself, yeah. But I love how she can a lot of stuff that I learned through fashion is through her too. Wow. Um not more so I I would dress her, but I I like her aesthetic too. I love uh Jennifer Lopez, uh aesthetic, how she dresses and put colors together and patterns. Um and I would say only reason why, because I feel like they need a better stylist, in my opinion. But I would love to like dress Jennifer uh Hudson. I actually uh honest had a client who was on her show uh uh as a guest, and I ended up styling her fourth day last year.

SPEAKER_02 23:04

Wow, that's major.

SPEAKER_00 23:05

Yeah, so I end up doing that.

SPEAKER_02 23:07

And you know, J Jalen J Hud, she be like asking people about their outfits. Yeah, that's that's pretty cool. You never know. The door might open for you off of that.

SPEAKER_00 23:14

Yeah, I would love that. I mean, because I just think for me, uh you know, dressing, I don't like to dress people old, and I don't like to dress people, you know, provocative or anything like that. I like to dress people elegant, um, and classy. Yeah, that's my vibe.

SPEAKER_01 23:32

No, I can tell. Yeah, I can tell. Question. And I know this is I just oh, I gotta bother you. I got questions. Cause I you know, we get silence, but do you have like a favorite brand or type of clothes or designer?

SPEAKER_00 23:46

Um, I like I like Gucci. I like Louis Vuitton, um, I like Dior or Maz. Uh, I like different ones, but for me, it's about the quality. Gotcha of the clothes. Because it doesn't matter where you shop to get clothes. Like, and I think people kind of put a thing on it too. It's like it's not about labels, it's about what you look good in. Like you can literally get stuff off, you know, from a goodwill or a uh thrift store and put it together. Like, I've literally done that like a lot. Wow. Like this outfit that I have on is like pieces from different places.

SPEAKER_03 24:30

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 24:31

Like this blazer is like HM, but this sweater is like a thrift sweater. Stop. But I think for me it's like all how you put it together, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 24:43

I like that.

SPEAKER_01 24:43

No, because yeah, you can't even dress all fly and stuff. I don't know, man. I was like, cause all right, so this let's don't so she made sure that I have a change of clothes for each of the different episodes. So people out here wondering why I'd be up here looking like why with the same place but different clothes, because she gotta make sure I do, right? She don't play, right? And my wife even reminded me that you got your changes of clothes.

SPEAKER_02 25:04

Because we batch records. Yeah, we batch record, so you can't be wearing the same thing for four episodes.

SPEAKER_01 25:08

I'm like, but uh so she tries to make me wear different clothes. I'm like, man, I could put different stuff together and it's hard. I don't want to think about it. I don't know how to think about it. Man, I might stop bothering you, DQ, to figure out how I need to be styled before I come on, because I know I get real plain.

SPEAKER_00 25:23

And a lot of people, they don't want that hassle of trying to find something. Yes. I hear that too, because it's like you don't have time, you have kids, you you know, whatever, but or you work a lot, and it's like you need somebody. That's why for me, I personally, I feel like everybody needs a style. Yeah, I got it. Well, you need that friend that you can call, like, you know, a stylist friend, and you be like, oh, well, you know, do this look right with this, or what do you think? Because for me, I try to tell people the truth. Like, I'd be like, no.

SPEAKER_02 25:52

Wait, are you a Virgo?

SPEAKER_00 25:54

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 25:58

When he said perfectionist, when he said he liked all the keywords. All the keywords. I said, I know I got a feeling in my heart that's a Virgo across with me. I'm a Virgo.

SPEAKER_01 26:06

So yeah, we definitely like it. Y'all tell the truth. Y'all tell people like it is.

SPEAKER_02 26:09

Yeah, we're Virgo blunt.

SPEAKER_01 26:10

Yeah, but it's necessary.

SPEAKER_02 26:12

Very logical people, yes, analytical, strategic. I love it.

SPEAKER_00 26:17

Go ahead, talk it up.

SPEAKER_02 26:19

So, talk about the importance of attending uh the fashion shows and different fashion events as a stylist.

SPEAKER_00 26:26

Um, I think there's very important because you kind of gotta see what new designers are after. What some designers that maybe are not new, but you know, getting new pieces in their uh in their collections. Uh for me, I don't go to shows as frequent. Because I do be busy a lot, but it just depends on if I do go, it's a reason. Uh either I'm going to support most of the time I'm going to support, you know, some friends that's maybe in some shows uh walking. But I do think starting out that you need to visit a lot of shows. And I think for me, uh doing my own shows now. Um, I did my uh first show last year, the congratulations. Thank you. Yeah, the Royal Hall of Renaz fashion show.

SPEAKER_03 27:15

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 27:16

I did a 1920s, 1930s theme. Um, and then next year I'm doing the uh abridging theme show.

SPEAKER_02 27:23

Okay, that's gonna be big.

SPEAKER_00 27:25

Yes. Yo, I'm excited.

SPEAKER_02 27:27

They love that here in Charlotte. They love that.

SPEAKER_00 27:29

Yes, and I and I think for me, um you do, I I do think people need to visit shows and visit shows often so you can kind of and that and that's a way in how you can dress better too, if you don't have a sense of style. Okay, you can kind of see on the runway, like, oh well, I can put this with this, or I can do this with this, or put this crazy blazer with this crazy shirt, but have a plain skirt, yeah, like and a bowl shoe. Like, I think for me, it it's about that. And I think um people are not, I don't know, people are not aware of how much fun you can have with uh fashion.

SPEAKER_01 28:10

Yeah, I think they're like they're they're kind of afraid to step into certain orders. Like the words that used to express the clothing, like what you just said, like with a bold shoe. Personally, like, what does that mean? This is a bold shoe. I'm scared. I don't want to put that shoe on here. Like they don't understand it. So, like, part of it is like understanding the vocabulary, understanding how to properly um what's what translate what's in your mind or what you're feeling out into the world and what you want to put on. And so again, this is where stylist is amazing because you're able to communicate those things both ways. Like you say, you can get real intimate with the person so you can know what it is they need, take that and then translate it as something that they feel comfortable and happy wearing. Like you say, bring the confidence up.

SPEAKER_00 28:52

Yeah, and some people just don't um I feel like some people just don't have this sense of direction when it comes down to uh dressing, too. Because it's like you can have all these amazing clothes in your closet, um, or go shopping and buy these amazing clothes, but it's like putting it together and being being fearless. Fashion, you you do supposed to be fearless, and you never know how something will look if you just if you just try it. Yeah, and I think a lot of people are afraid to be that way.

SPEAKER_02 29:29

They want to stay in the box instead of stepping outside the box.

SPEAKER_00 29:33

Yeah, like me, I always tell people, I'm gonna take you out of the box, but I'm not gonna take you too much. Like, I'm not gonna put you in something and I'm like, I'm looking back on it like maybe I shouldn't have done that. Now I have had moments to where I maybe when I first started styling, I used to second guess myself and I see them on set, well, maybe I could have done this or changed this, but I stopped doing that because to me as a stylist, the client is looking to put their trust in you. I've trust in myself. Very true. And I think for me, uh for a while, I would kind of be like, Well, maybe I should have done this, or maybe I want to do the shoot all over again. Yeah, yeah. But I've learned to not be that way because once you kind of once I get it out there and it's to the world in a way, then I just leave it there. Like I don't because once I do something, I'm already on, I want to do something else now. Moving on.

SPEAKER_02 30:29

You on to the next thing.

SPEAKER_00 30:30

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 30:31

So what um obstacles have you overcome as a stylist? You know, like maybe it's uh at a photo shoot or receiving the outfits on time or wardrobe malfunction.

SPEAKER_00 30:42

Um, I think for me, I've had uh I've had all of it happen to me as far as uh business-wise, as far as um uh people in a way, well, in a way, yeah, trying to take advantage of me. I've had managers, um uh agents and stuff like that wanting me to uh I I guess me not knowing wanting me to not know my worth and my value when it comes down to being a stylist.

SPEAKER_03 31:15

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 31:15

Because I when it comes down to uh, you know, your pay and what you asking for, um I think I've experienced um you know trusting people as far as production-wise, uh creative direction-wise. And for me, I rather have one three people as a team than you have a whole big manufacturer team. Because out of some of those people, about four of them trying to take advantage of you. You may have one that's it's like, oh, you know, I'm on your side. But I think for me, all of that has happened for me throughout 10 years of being a stylist. Like, you know, I've gained money, I've lost money, uh, you know, business decisions that uh, you know, you putting your trust in someone as far as business-wise. And I think people don't talk about that as much as uh business. Yeah, they don't, not much and not making sure your business is good. Like you gotta make sure you good before you can look out for uh somebody else. Yeah. And I think for me, um, you know, you may have clients who, you know, they start services, but then they don't go through with it. You have clients like that, you have clients that maybe try to skip out on paying you. Like, I've experienced that it all in 10 years. Like, and I but I think it's made me tougher um to make sure first the business is handled as far as uh you know, making sure you have contracts, making sure you have someone to look over your contract, make sure you have a lawyer, make sure you have certain things you have to make sure is intact. Yes, I love what I do, but you also got to make sure um everything is handled as far as a uh business-wise. So I would tell people make sure you handle your business as far as being a stylist, or whatever you do.

SPEAKER_02 33:11

Yeah, um, cross your teeth.

SPEAKER_00 33:13

Yeah, yeah. Make sure and and make sure you notice everything.

SPEAKER_01 33:16

Yeah, I have a question about what you were saying, and I was thinking about this. This is interesting because I wouldn't think about it. You blow my mind right now. You said that there's like at least three important people that you would need working for you and stuff, like having a large group of people. Who are some of these people that like like if you tell us their positions, like you have to have a good manager or a good financial person? Like, who are those people around you that you would need to have outside all the superfluous, I got five guys over here that do this that I don't really need. Who who do you need to do your business? Like to make sure that everything is running well.

SPEAKER_00 33:49

One, you need a good um, um, I definitely think you need a good lawyer. Okay. Yeah, lawyer. Straight up. You need a, I do think a financial advisor, um, someone to help you, even if you don't have that, maybe you have someone in your family that you trust, you know, maybe like a grandparent or an aunt or somebody like that. And I think a person three, a person is gonna tell you the truth.

SPEAKER_02 34:19

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 34:20

I think that is very much important.

SPEAKER_02 34:22

A Virgo.

SPEAKER_00 34:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 34:24

Y'all are something else. We're gonna tell you. We ain't gonna lie.

SPEAKER_01 34:30

I know we gotta get ready to wrap up. I want to ask one more question. Yeah, I know. Go ahead.

SPEAKER_02 34:34

I'm gonna Okay, so can you talk about the importance of tagging as a stylist? So you know, like if somebody's posting the picture on social media, how does that reflect what you do?

SPEAKER_00 34:46

Um, I think uh tagging me as a stylist or whoever's a stylist is very important so you can give them the credit that they deserve for their hard work and the time and the energy they put on styling you. And I think uh that never happened to me. I always get my credit uh as far as that is concerned, but I think you know, don't cheat somebody in a way, like don't do people like that. And I think people people do do people do people like that, like on Instagram, like they do a whole lot of work or a photographer or a makeup artist, and you don't credit them, and it's like they took their time out and you know, did this for you. So at least you can do is tag them. Yeah, yeah. I think it's it is very important, but I I know people sometimes don't do that.

SPEAKER_02 35:33

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 35:33

And um, do you think it's sometimes and this kind of sucks, but in this day and age, like they're like, well, I paid you, but it's that's not it. It's that that being attached to your work because you're creative, that is your work. It's like me not saying that you worked on this painting or that you helped to produce this song. Yeah, it matters.

SPEAKER_00 35:51

The money is the money is secondary, but to get that um, to get that work back, especially if you did like a a magazine spread or something, yeah. You want the magazine. Yeah. Like maybe you want to frame that and put that on your wall. Like that is important because that's the type of stuff that you can hold on to. Yeah, money comes and goes. Yeah. But I think when you have stuff like that, or you you uh staff somebody in a photo shoot. Like a photo, like a photo shoot, you can maybe you want to put that picture in your in your home. So I just think it's important that people tag people and you give them people your uh they uh they credit.

SPEAKER_02 36:33

Their flowers. It's like giving them the flowers, yeah, man.

SPEAKER_00 36:36

Kudos, man.

SPEAKER_01 36:37

They deserve it. Um there was all right, I gotta ask this question because you put this question here. It's a great question. Um, can you explain, and then we'll do our wrap-up, but can you explain the importance of supporting emerging designers over traditional brands?

SPEAKER_00 36:55

I think it's very important that you uh support people who is on the uh come up as far as uh designer. I actually was going to wear uh uh a designer, uh his name is uh J-Rock uh Collections. And he has like uh denim, denim line. Uh he's really good, but I told him next time I said I'm gonna wear, I'm gonna wear his pieces. But for me, I've always wanted to, I like to support people like that because it's important that you especially you support people who support you. Yeah, yeah. Um, but I think people more so in this world and in this climate only out for themselves. Yeah. And I think for me personally, I think that's why I've went so far with it because I do try and help other people. Yeah. You know, you be genuine personally. Um and I've always supported black businesses. Um, I mean, even if you're white, and you know, I support those people too, but I try to support people who in your kind of circle in a way. In your sphere, yeah. Um so please people support people. Yeah, support you. Please do that. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 38:16

How can people support you? Yeah, how can people support you? How can they find you?

SPEAKER_00 38:19

Um, you can follow me at at styles by dq. Um, you can also find me on uh Facebook at DQ Styles. Awesome.

SPEAKER_02 38:30

And and you what your services list your services again so people know what they can find you for.

SPEAKER_00 38:36

Well, my services is editorial styling, um, music videos, performances, um, weddings, closet organizing.

SPEAKER_02 38:46

Um do personal shopping?

SPEAKER_00 38:48

Yes. Okay, and uh and web series as well. What's that? Like web series. So you know when you do like uh acting.

SPEAKER_02 38:57

Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_00 38:57

So, but they do like the web series on YouTube. Yeah. Oh, style it? Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 39:02

Okay, cool.

SPEAKER_00 39:03

You can do those as well.

SPEAKER_01 39:04

Like what? Okay, we had to really be bothering you. Wait, all right. I man, you're impressive. Yeah. I wish we had, man, we gotta get you back on.

SPEAKER_03 39:13

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 39:14

So we have more time. We're gonna get you back on. Um, outside of that, um, obviously, this is the Hilltop Globe Podcast, probably forgetting stuff. I'm DJing what?

SPEAKER_02 39:22

Tamaya and our esteemed guest.

SPEAKER_01 39:25

DQ South. We appreciate you so much. Thank you for joining us. Y'all appreciate it. Until the next time, please tell somebody that next to them that you love them, you appreciate them. Peace.