Stylist Cordell Edwards finds passion in fashion

IN the local fashion industry, obstacles come with the territory, but stylist Cordell Edwards has overcome them with determination.

As a male stylist, he faced stereotyping and judgment from those who held traditional views about acceptable careers for men. The lack of support from his community, friends and close relatives posed a significant challenge, but Edwards remained undeterred. Today, he runs a fashion consulting company – C-ME Styling.

As a child, fashion had always captivated Edwards’ imagination, and his desire to help people inspired him to pursue a career in styling.

Speaking to Sunday Newsday, Edwards said, “Fashion has always intrigued me for as long as I can imagine, and helping people is a quality that is ingrained in me. Merging those two together caused me to gain interest in styling people and I enjoy seeing the glow on their faces and confidence in their persona when they know that they are looking great.

“Even though my journey has been a lonely one at times, with the lack of support, I realised that the journey is mine to understand – not others – so even with the negativity that sometimes crowd my space, my passion for what I do and desire to continue to make my clients happy has been my source of motivation."

Throughout his journey, Edwards faced specific challenges that tested his resilience.

“The biggest roadblock during my journey goes back to gaining recognition and most of all, building a clientele. To overcome this, I focused on networking, attending local fashion events, and showcasing my work on social media. By collaborating with influencers and offering personalised styling services, I gradually gained visibility and credibility, which helped me grow my business in the fashion industry.”

Navigating the early stages of his career required networking, networking, and more networking to better understand his capabilities and develop his sense of fashion and personal brand.

Edwards started by styling himself and offering fashion advice to family and friends. With each opportunity, he created full looks, including hairstyle, clothing, make-up, footwear, accessories, and even provided creative direction for photo shoots. Through his networking efforts, Edwards' work caught the attention of Miss St Joseph 2018, Tamara Saunders, and Stevie Jones, creative director and pageant franchise director of Crowns and Sashes Academy.

These connections expanded his network and opened doors for further recognition.

Collaborating with influencers and offering personalised styling services gradually earned him visibility and credibility, establishing his reputation in the fashion industry.

“Staying motivated and persevering through tough times was not always easy for me. However, my passion for fashion and creativity is really what kept that flame burning inside of me. I also surrounded myself with supportive friends who encouraged me to keep pushing forward. Embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and constantly learning from experiences helped me stay determined.”

The obstacles Edwards faced greatly influenced his unique style and perspective. Emerging successfully from these challenges boosted his confidence and allowed him to fearlessly push boundaries with his ideas.

“I have confidence in my work and I approach fashion and styling knowing that while my work may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there are still many people out there willing to drink juice instead.”

Establishing his presence and reputation in the fashion industry required utilising the power of the internet. Edwards extensively used social media platforms, YouTube, blogs, and international fashion news to stay updated with trends for inspiration.

He now believes in himself more and refuses to let fear and doubt impede his progress.

“Every time I make a client happy, I consider that to be an achievement. However, one of my biggest achievements was being featured on the local news for a 'fashion forward' feature that allowed me to proudly share my work with all of TT.

“I've recently been working with Mr Supranational TT 2022 Wynter Mason on a number of exciting projects. As for future plans, while I don't want to speak too soon yet, 2024 is expected to be an exciting year that might just include a bit of travel to the UK.”

He said confidence, creativity, and a sense of fun define his personal style, which he incorporates into his work. He aspires to expand his company within and beyond TT, to make people feel happy and rediscover their personal sense of style.

To those who doubt their ability to overcome obstacles and thrive in the fashion industry, Edwards’ message is clear – keep your eye on the prize; remind yourself of why you started, focus on solutions rather than obstacles, and trust in your abilities.

“The industry has enough space for everyone and there is no end to creativity. Your contribution might be exactly the one that the world was missing.”