Alyssa François Shares the Gift that Keeps on Giving with Coveted Style
On the weekend before Thanksgiving, Alyssa François hosted the first annual Coveted Style Holiday Soiree! Coveted Style, founded by Alyssa is an online boutique delivering only the most “coveted” items that belong in your wardrobe to make you stand out among the rest. Hosted at Jolie Studios in Brooklyn, New York, this holiday soiree/shopping party brought out eager guests who were ready to shop til they dropped, and also listen with intention. Before we got to the big spending, guests tuned in as Alyssa, Lauren Alexis Fisher, Raeana Anaïs and I had an intimate conversation surrounding topics I hadn’t heard enough leaders in fashion, entrepreneurship and media discussing. As moderator, the power was in my hands to get answers that I know I wanted, and our guests would value as well.
There were mimosas and VIP bags, breakfast bites and bouquets that surrounded us as we learned about the importance of community, and our responsibility to build (and keep) connections. Work relationships can be difficult to cultivate when dealing with social anxieties, and in our day of social media, a follow with a few engagements can feel like you know them, right? Wrong.
Harpers Bazaar US Digital Fashion Editor Lauren Fisher shared a moment in time where she benefited from a work event - even when all signs told her to go home. There, she met an associate at Saks and has since maintained a relationship which will be of good use - given her role. Coveted Style founder, Alyssa Francois brought things closer to home when shared with us how she met Brittney Alexandra Winbush of the Alexandra Winbush candle business and why it was important to her that she build on that friendship. Brittney and Alyssa were complete strangers when Brittney offered a helping hand to Alyssa while she set-up her table at a pop-up shop where they both were vendors. Fast forward a few months to our Coveted Style Holiday Soiree, Brittney would be one of the vendors selected to part of an amazing event as this. Don’t you just love when things come full circle?
Right before the shopping portion of our day, Dreamville Fashion Director, Raeana Anaïs encouraged us to step out of our comfort zones in more ways than one. When she launched her self-titled clothing line, she found herself getting warped into an aesthetic that didn’t quite relate to the real “her” anymore. Thus, Behind the Label was born to share real life perspectives of what it means to run a clothing line and style the many greats in our music industry. She also urged us to be fearless in incorporating new items into our wardrobes. Reaena’s advice? Try things on!
And boy, did our guests listen! There wasnt much walking room once our vendors opened up shop! Coveted Style offered apparel from teddy coats to denim, to velvet suits and stylish co-ord sets. I grabbed a camo puffer coat I had been eyeing all fall and with all merch priced on Black Friday promotion, there was no doubt I was going home with it! Other vendors at our holiday soiree included Carolyn Gray of Noire Bud, a lux CBD oil company offering wellness oils to sooth aches, pains and to offer intimate pleasure. Alyssa and Carolyn go back as far as when they were teens working together at Atrium in New York City, and now they get to support each other in more ways than one. Last but certainly not least, was Ashley Fouyolle, founder of luxury stationery brand Unwrp, whose gift wrapping paper patterns were the most eclectic I’ve ever seen. Patterns varied from tribal prints to funky afros and each pattern also came in a scarf. Needless to say, I’ve never been so happy to give small black businesses my money!
Although this post gives a quick rundown of what happened that day, I still cant put the supportive spirit that filled the air into words. To see so many people eager to support our panelists, our vendors and ultimately Alyssa was quite the experience. I had much fun moderating the panel and connecting with patrons as they were introduced to quality black-owned brands that were more than deserving of our support. As Coveted Style continues to offer us clothes that will last a lifetime, it has now created a culture of learning, collaboration and community. Wishing all the success to Alyssa François and the future of Coveted Style; til next time in Her Neck Of The Woods!
*special thanks to Antone Smith for the beautiful photos!