Khaliah Clark- Fab Role Model

Hailing from West New York, NJ, Khaliah Clark has encountered many obstacles that would have forced many of her peers her age to simply give up. However, Khaliah Clark has a silent strength that has enabled her to go where many have only dared to dream.

Khaliah has embraced who she is and is well on her way to becoming a Household name. Khaliah has been working magic in the fashion industry since 1999. Starting as a sales rep for Full Force Sales with Ozzie Stewart, she went on to work for clothing lines such as Bust Rhymes' Bushy, Karl Kani, and the Ruff Riders’ Dirty Denim Collection. She exclaims, “Fashion is a part of who I am. It’s like a second skin.”

In 2001, Khaliah moved on to work with Balla apparel, one of the leading lines in urban wear. At Balla, she took on a variety of responsibilities, from being show room manager, to assisting the VP of Marketing in all product placements, to contributing to matters of public relations. As a validation of her hard work, Khaliah was invited to host that year’s first ever Urban Fashion Week in Miami. She was more than up for the challenge, “I loved that experience and I knew at the moment that there was nothing I could not do.”, Khaliah states.

Ready for a change, Khaliah moved on to Baby Phat in 2003. Interning first for the VP of Public Relations, she was involved in all facets of the fashion business, including product placement, visual merchandising, production, and styling. She was involved in both the spring and fall season lines, and having once again impressed her colleagues, in 2004 she was named venue manager for the Kimora Lee Simmons Fashion Show at Radio City Music Hall.

Wishing to expand the reach of her work, Khaliah jumped at the opportunity to work for the critically acclaimed independent film, My Brother. Starring Grammy Winning Singer/Actress Vanessa Williams and Academy Award winner Tatum O’Neal, Khaliah’s work as Wardrobe Supervisor provided her with valuable experience in the field of fashion in film.

In May 2005, Khaliah once was again honored with the pleasure of working with Urban Fashion Week, this time as Event Coordinator for the two-day Urban Fashion Main Event in New York. Held in a Westside loft in Manhattan, the event showcased some of the hottest brands in fashion, such as Baby Phat, Akademiks, Def Jam University, Azzure, Ecko Red, and Phat Farm.

Currently, Khaliah does freelance work, as a Fashion Stylist, Event Coordinator, and Production Consultant, as well as projects with fashion extraordinaire Roger McKenzie and his agency Brat Pack, Inc.

As the First Lady of Brat Pack, Khaliah has worked with an amazing list of celebrities, stylists and TV shows. She was worked with outstanding stylists such as Iconic stylist June Ambrose in which she assisted on the Rocawear campaign, Ne Yo's "Go on Girl Video. And the list of her achievements goes on and on.

She has worked with celebrities such as Mya, R. Kelly, Method Man, Carmen Electra, American Idol’s Paris Bennett, gospel Sensation Nyoki, Rock Icon Joan Jett, and reggae pioneer Burning Spear.

As for TV, Khaliah has done work with MTV’s TRL, BET’s 106 and Park, Jimmy Kimmel Live, VH1’s The White Rapper Show, and most recently she has styled one of the stars of HBO’s The Wire, J.D. Williams while continuing to gather clients and garner a reputation as one of today’s top stylist.

Recently, Khaliah and I conversated about her life and how she has evolved as a black woman and as a Single Mother and what she believes to be her motivation.


Hello, Khaliah, how are you?Hi, Darian, I am well thank you for asking!

Well, I must ask you, how did you become a stylist?

Well, I became a fashion stylist by interning for Roger Mckenzie of Brat Pack Inc. He introduced me to world of styling. He showed me everything to become successful. It was a life changing experience.

What inspired you to get into the stylist game/Industry?
My love for fashion and my aunt Avis, she always talked to me about fashion and what a lady should and should not wear. I have always enjoyed dressing people up. Whenever my friends would come to my house and I would change their outfit or add to the outfit, they often left feeling and looking amazing. I always would watch red carpet events, movies and videos. I would say, “I would have loved to dress her or him.”

So I hustled my way into the business. I had a passion for it all. I got in the fashion game by making dresses and sexy tops out of promo tees.

Who are some of your favorite designers and why?
Well, hands down it has to be Dolce & Gabanna. Their pieces are just classics. Also, Gucci, Chanel and up and coming designers. I love labels, because their pieces never go out of style. There are moments and then years later Vintage pieces.

I love up and coming designers, because most of the time their pieces are one of kind pieces. Simply because they are designed by the designer. They put they heart and soul into their pieces. That’s what makes a designer a designer.

How have you dealt with the highs and lows of your career?
The Highs are always good, simply because, you really see how far you have grown and what you have accomplished. Personally, I deal with the lows with a lot of prayer and meditation.

I always call up my stylist friends; speak to my mom, aunt, or my brother. I complain how bad and grimy the industry can be and then I'm back at it again the next day. In this business, one has to have a thick skin.

What are you doing to give back to the community?I am mentoring young girls from my church. I am a Youth Advisor, so it’s sort of my calling in a way. To show them that you don’t have to settle in life. I constantly try to empower the leaders of tomorrow.

Being a teenage mother, I know the struggles of being a parent and single parent at that. I try to teach girls that no matter what obstacles or challenges u may go thru in life, you can make it.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 Years?

Honestly, I see myself working on various projects. Also, I will be working on my daughter Moet's clothing line and a positive reality show surrounding the clothing line. I am so proud of her and she already has a feel for fashion that is unmatched. In a way, she has become something of a style Connoisseur herself. She loves the fashion and the styling in ways that often surprise me.

I am also super excited about Clark Boyz. It’s a clothing line created by my nephews. They are all dancers and athletes who have also embraced fashion. The Goal for Clark Boyz isn’t just for someone with the last name but it’s clearly for the young urban gentleman who knows that when he stops, the world stops as well. Each Clark Boy has his own style and swagger and we want the world to know it’s a unique and trusted brand.

The long term goal is to have everyone wearing the brand. I am excited because eventually Clark Boyz will carry everything from backpacks, sneakers and ultimately jewelry. It’s truly about the branding and influence in the market that sets them apart from everyone else.

As for production, I am partnering with KC Rose who founded KC Productions. We also worked together on a ground breaking Fashion Show Entitled “The Fashion Main Event”. It was a smash and we have much more to bring to the realm of production. I head the East Coast division and Stylist Keyonna Cox heads the West Coast Division. The goal for KC Productions is to be the forerunner in the Television and Film Industry.

What would you say to an up and coming stylist fresh out of school?

First off, get a Good Internship, stay volunteering and assisting other stylists. Get all the experience you can. You can work tons of free projects just to build up your name and styling resume. Networking and researching are key factors as well. You must know this business in and out and you have to be a multi tasker and work well under pressure.

What are 5 key things a woman and man should always have in the area of style?

5 things for women:
Stiletto heel
Nice handbag

Accessorize your look always
Having a well coiffed hair

Dental health is Important

Always smelling like roses- A good scent is Key for a woman.

5 things for men

Clothes that Fit Nice

Correct Hair Cut

Presentable Hygiene

Shoes/Sneakers must be clean always
A Good Scent is also key for a gentleman

Khaliah Clark has proven that even with challenges and setbacks, you can have a positive outlook on your future and that makes her a Bonafide Role Model who is well on her way to becoming a Legend.

http://www.khaliahclark.com/