Insider: Atiba Newsome Shows Some Edge
Posted on June 19, 2009
Filed Under STYLISTICS, INSIDER, PEEP THIS!, UPTOWN FASHION
Styling since the age of 12 in Gucci sneakers and gold caps, at a young age Atiba Newsome found his fashion inspiration from music videos and a Brooklyn group called the ‘Lo-Lifes.’ He realized at an early age that dressing nice got him a lot of attention and opened a lot of doors, one of which lead him to celebrity stylist June Ambrose and her team, The Mode Squad.
Due to his two suspension from his transit job, one of his best friends introduced him to The Mode Squad to keep his time occupied. His time and pockets were filled during those two weeks. After Atiba made $750 off his first paid styling gig with the squad he never looked back. With a now extensive list of celebrity clientele, Atiba put an edge into the industry that was never before seen.
Diddy noticed that edge on a video shoo where Atiba was styling one of TRACE’s favorites, Kelis. “He said he like my style,” Atiba notes. Working with Diddy meant Atiba had to learn to blend his styling edge with an already established image. “Puff is open to new ideas and new designers, but he still like things done a certain way. He has a certain blueprint that he uses with he style so I couldn’t be as creative as I wanted to. He is a fashion icon, so I followed his lead but still added by personal style to it.”
Not only is Atiba credited for working with fashion icons, he is also well known for creating looks for emerging new talent. “When I work with a new artists I take their style and merge it with mine. It’s even better if they don’t really have a style because I can create one for them. It’s like a painter with a blank palate,” Atiba states. But he’s sure to mention he doesn’t try to create industry clones because he knows that “Personality is Key.”
An understated edge is something you can always find in his work. ” His chameleon-like styling mentality takes him shopping from high to low retailers (i.e. Bergdorff’s, H&M, Gucci and Barney’s) While currently styling a new Hermes belt and Goyard bag as his season’s staple pieces, he stresses the importance of a quality bag for everyone this season.
“I have a Goyard duffle bag that ALL people comment on.It’s crazy because they dont even know its designer. They just love it. That’s what made it worth every penny! As the Trend Setter and never the follower, Atiba pulls inspirartion from Parisians who make everything they wear look rich. “They pay careful attention to detail, and so do I.” With that being said, Atiba Newsome is a stylist we should all keep an eye on.
- Courtesy of Syreeta Lockett
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