( ENSPIRE Stylists Suite Corner ) Meet the Network of Like-minded Affluent Black Women Who Bond over Fashion Weeks Around the World
Publisher and Fashion trailblazer, Eunice Johnson once said, “‘If you can’t find any black models, we’ll get some for you. And if you can’t use them, we’re not going to buy from you anymore.”
New fashion collections are on the catwalk each September, and new clothes appear on the store shelves. After all, the fashion industry exists through people buying new clothes with some regularity. Fashion brands such as Chanel, Dior, Telfar, Gucci, and Prada customarily present their latest ‘spring/summer’ collections during major fashion weeks. They appear on the schedules of New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week, and Paris Fashion Week. At these shows, brands will show their new collections for the first time, gauging the interest of buyers and press and creating enthusiasm.
Jacqueline Jenkins has carved out a unique niche in the fashion industry, skillfully blending her expertise in fashion styling with luxury travel through her business, Sophisticated Curation. This venture caters specifically to affluent Black women who deeply appreciate global fashion, a market that has long been underserved. “Through Sophisticated Curation, we’ve created a supportive network of like-minded women who bond around the theme of living your best life through fashion,” says Jacqueline Jenkins, Founder and CEO. “Sophisticated Curation has been a means to pursue my lifelong love of fashion while building a dynamic community of savvy fashionistas.”
Over the past three years, Jenkins’ work has not only filled this gap but has also set a new standard in fashion curation and travel experiences. “After offering styling services to women leaders in tech, higher education, medicine, and finance, in 2022, Sophisticated Curation expanded its services to include fashion travel excursions during Fashion Week in New York, London, Milan, and Paris.”
Sophisticated Curations has become more than a fashion styling service; it’s a bespoke experience that takes clients through the world’s most prestigious fashion capitals. Jenkins has curated exclusive tours that immerse her audience in the heart of the fashion world. From the electrifying runways of New York Fashion Week (NYFW) to the romantic lights of Paris, the creative pulse of London Fashion Week, and the illustrious Milan Fashion Week, Jenkins provides her clients unparalleled access and insight into these iconic events.
“The tour guests are the lead priority because while on tour, I want these women, who have given so much to their families and communities, to experience what it feels like to be pampered, captured by images from the tour’s private paparazzi, and in a space where they are safe to try new fashions, think about different personal and professional decisions while also having fun,” says Jenkins. “My recipe for maintaining returning tour guests includes three ingredients: unique fashion and cultural experiences with the global Black community, dynamic guests who share a similar appreciation for the community, and a meticulous planning process that requires extensive research, outreach, and communication. For Milan, we are staying within three minutes of the Duomo, the Milan Cathedral, known worldwide for its grandeur and beauty, while also being one of the most visited tourist locations for shopping.”
Her approach to fashion curation is dynamic and inclusive, recognizing the importance of representation in an industry often criticized for its lack of diversity. By focusing on affluent Black women, Jenkins not only meets the needs of a specific demographic but also empowers her clients, celebrating their love for fashion and travel. “I also am committed to using this platform to elevate black designers. While on tour, I only wear outfits from designers who I am looking to advance their brand by offering them an opportunity to showcase their work on the tour,” says Jenkins.
Tour guests attend fashion shows and enjoy private fittings, exclusive previews, and interactions with designers and industry insiders. She leverages her fashion manufacturing background to give her clients a deeper understanding of the industry. “Because I would like as many women as possible who wish to make this journey to partake, the tour is also planned with a conscious effort to minimize expenses while ensuring a quality experience. This is achieved by maintaining the relationships I’ve built in various cities that support a similar mission and assist with building a wallet-friendly tour.”
As the fashion industry continues to evolve, Jenkins stands out as a beacon of innovation and inclusivity. “My plan is to leverage these relationships to enhance the overall tour while also increasing the number of participants and maintaining the quality experience that has led to over half of my tour participants having traveled with me before. I also would like to expand the base of diverse designers further, hoping to assist them with entering the US markets while cultivating a rich resource of diverse designers for the ladies of Sophisticated Curation to shop.” Her work with Sophisticated Curations reminds her of the importance of niche markets’ power and representation.
Looking ahead, Jenkins is set to expand her influence even further. With Milan Fashion Week on the horizon this September, she continues to push the boundaries, offering her clients new and exciting opportunities to engage with the fashion world. “My hope is to support the diversity of fashion by creating continued global experiences where Black women are seen at leading fashion designers events to honor the interests of this growing underserved market.”
For more information on Sophisticated Curation: check Jenkins’ social media.
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