Takai Taggart
Takai Taggart, a student at Michigan State University. Takai is a junior who has a passion for graphic design, fashion, and creative direction. She is establishing THE STYLE MOGUL, a Black-owned LLC styling service. She is a personal stylist and wardrobe organizer, who assists her clients by shopping for them and ensuring that they receive today’s hottest styles and trends. She also creates graphic design content with direction to videos, photos, logos, website design, and more under her freelance business, Aura Artistic Services. As a social media influencer with a following of more than 11K on Instagram, she exhibits her style and influences trends in the fashion community.
Explain how you got interested in fashion, and how this has inspired you to create your own personal styling service.
My mom inspired me to get into fashion. She’d always take me to the mall and let me pick out her outfits. Growing up I didn’t have much freedom to wear what I wanted so as soon as I could I started exploring my own personal style and experimenting with various kinds of clothing.
Tell us about starting your Instagram page.
I made it in 2016 for fun when I was in the 5th grade. One of my classmates told me about it and I went home and made one on my tablet that same day.
Describe your style.
My style is unique. I don’t like to limit myself to only streetwear/dressy clothing. I dress to express myself and how I am feeling on a given day. You never know what you may get with me. I love that about my style.
How do you balance being a full-time student while directing two businesses?
It’s tough and sometimes I want to give up, but my passion keeps me going. Time management is important as a business owner. I use a whiteboard calendar so I can see everything I need to do on my wall. I color coordinate it based on whether the item relates to work, school, or my personal life. Staying organized, practicing self-discipline and keeping a clean space are how I stay afloat.
You stated that for THE STYLE MOGUL, you help your clients by shopping for the best looks for them. How has this contributed to making you a better stylist and better businesswoman?
Shopping for clients requires trust. Clients must trust me with their money, time, and ideas. I’ve gotten better at relationship building since I’ve offered this as a service.
As a social media influencer, what interests your followers the most?
Innovation interests my followers the most. They love when I step out of the box and show them something they’ve never seen before. Sometimes, the internet can get oversaturated so being original is important.
How do you integrate being a personal stylist and graphic design content creator?
I started by learning some graphic design skills when I launched THE STYLE MOGUL. I had no team and no money to hire anyone. I had to design my own logo, flyers, website, and etc. It is important to my clients that I send them mood boards so they can get a visual of what they’ll be wearing. I believe you must have at least a basic graphic design skill level to be a stylist.
What advice do you have for those trying to find their own personal style?
Experiment with different clothing items, brands, colors, fabrics, etc. You don’t know until you try, I’d start by buying the essentials and then experiment with accessories. You could also find inspiration online and making mood boards. Take note of what you like the most and start buying similar pieces.
What would you tell your younger self right now?
Be yourself, everything else will fall into place. Don’t overthink, just start.
What are your socials?
Instagram: @iamtakai
TikTok: @takailorraine
Interview by Morgan Alston, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Alexa Dyer, Graphic Design Coordinator, PhotoBook Magazine
