ThisKittenHasClaws.com: INTERVIEW: The Inside Scoop on Ryan Jor El

"Inspire to Attire"

Ryan Jor El was born and raised in Toledo, OH. He and his younger brother were raised by their mother. From the start, with the inspiration of his mom, he was always dressed to impress! In matching outfits, he and his brother remained fresh and clean for Olan Mills family photos, wearing the all time classic sailor suits and many more memorable ensembles. Ryan remembers one outfit in particular, that he believes really set the tone for his style today and this was a red vest, red pants, white shirt, red bow tie, paired with black and white oxford shoes!

Spending majority of his childhood in Toledo, Ryan found himself moving to Charlotte, NC in 1995. He attended high school in Charlotte and Ryan classified himself as different, unique and always a trendsetter amongst his peers. His junior year is when the trendsetting began. He was the kid who came into his own quickly, wearing the stylish frames that many people are sporting in today's fashion and also the 3/4 length shorts to show off the man's stallion legs! His senior year, he made it a point to not wear jeans at all. He found this as another way to stand out and this along with his natural sense of style provided him his finish at Olympic High School as BEST DRESSED! This was only the beginning of bigger styling ventures to come. He followed high school up by attending Hampton University! Hampton was a good fit, but he realized it was just too expensive at the time and although he had a 3.6GPA and 1030/1600 on the SAT he did not have many scholarships, so he left Hampton, then attended UNCG for two weeks, quickly realizing it was not for him! Finally, Ryan finished his college degree, graduating from UNC Charlotte. School was an off and on thing for him and not a priority, as he juggled working full time since the age of 14. While at UNC Charlotte, he was honored to have pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated because it, still to this day, plays a tremendous part in his life.

TKHC: What is your styling business all about and How did it get started?

Styling for Ryan has always been evident in his attire and the way he chooses to conduct himself in a manner of professionalism and lasting impressions. He initially started styling for a large number of friends and peers when CIAA first introduced itself to Charlotte. Many friends were excited about this event and felt that Ryan would help them look their best because they recognized his style and trusted his knack for style.

When he styled them, he did not charge any fees because he loved doing this and was interested in showing the people what he was made of. His clients (then, friends, family and peers), showered him with gifts of appreciation for his services, which included money, dinner, and even clothes in return. During his quest for the right career path, Ryan held multiple jobs. After quitting these jobs, he decided during schooling at UNC Charlotte and prior to graduation, that he would go into the retail industry. After starting in the retail industry, Ryan felt like he was going in the right direction. He was doing what he loved and learning all at the same time. Retail taught him how to mix and match patterns, understand formal reasoning for style names and so much more. These lessons, combined with his already innate sense of fashion created a buzz and caught the attention of a local well established retail worker, who also owned a wardrobe consulting firm, Styles by Privilege, established in 1991. This well respected Image Consultant recruited Ryan to be the new face of his firm, the "new kid on the block." He has taught and is still teaching Ryan all he knows about this industry and providing him with historical facts, meaningful quotes and often quizzes Ryan to make sure he is on top of things and still learning.

Ryan has a memorable sense of style, but also has been on the opposite end of the spectrum as a model. He had a modeling agent, while in high school and featured in many fashion and hair shows.

He has been professionally styling for fours years, but it has always been a way of life for him.

Do you plan to have any physical locations? If so, where and is there a time frame you have in mind for its launching?

Ryan is a wardrobe consultant and personal shopper with Styles by Privilege and there is no physical location at this time. They are revamping the business and there are great things in store!

Ryan said, "Keep a look out for what's to come!" Also, with "Made to Measure" suiting, there will be express services offered in the future of Styles by Privilege.

TKHC: Please tell me about the fashion/styling shows you have featured in to display your fashion expertise and when is the next one?

Ryan has been doing fashion shows of some sort for many years and counting. He started out with fashion parties at his apartment, which he called "Soirees!" He would have a DJ and many nicely dressed patrons, then they would enjoy themselves. Following the fashion parties at home, he began party promoting. He explained that his events and show ideas often appear in visions and dreams, then he transforms it from there.

The first show he had was an "All Male Fashion Show." He explained that fashion and style has such a female based perspective that he wanted to show men how their style could be done with all male models, male designers and he dressed/styled every one of the men involved. Ryan's most recent fashion show success was an actual "Charlotte Stylists Showcase." I witnessed this phenomenal event, as I competed as one of the five stylists. We were given themes, randomly chosen and had to use fashion, clothing, props and diverse models to convey whatever we could about our given theme and show off our skills! Following this February show, he is planning, along with The Session Magazine, Raleigh, NC, a show for June. In this show, the winning designer will actually have a chance to showcase their pieces in NYC Fashion Week!

Ryan always takes his time when planning (about 2-3 months) because he does not prefer to rush. He also has a Fall show in mind and this information will be coming to an Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr near you!

TKHC: Who is your favorite designer and why?

His favorite designer is Ralph Lauren because he is classic, timeless, cool, and he knows the market's changes and he understands the total person. He offers different price points and styles. Ryan also admires Ralph Lauren's business aspect and the fact that he sells a lifestyle and not just apparel. Ryan's favorite Ralph Lauren collection is "Black Label."

Ryan is known for his #SexyShoeSunday on Instagram which he started on Twitter to show women the sexy shoes that are on the market and as the buzz got around, he brought to Instagram: it has been a hit each and every Sunday, so tune in!

With advertising via social media, Ryan has found it successful and he said, "It is humbling because people are responding greatly and it is greatly appreciated. I am now relevant do things as I am led. Two to three years ago, I wasn't in this place; Back in June, I I had no thought of the September and February shows but now I am on the horizon."

TKHC: What are your goals within 2013 for your business?

Ryan expressed to me that he sees television as a business venture in 2013. He has had the pleasure and opportunity to interview Comedian and Actor Kevin Hart, which was his first interview, along with Adam Schefter from ESPN. Adam actually tweeted this interview and mentioned Ryan, so friends and followers were able to see Ryan in action and responded with positive and exciting feedback. He has also had the pleasure of interviewing Chris Canty from the NY Giants, Samantha Busch, wife of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, and Chief Rodney Monroe of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. His most recent meeting was with Kenny Burns who is a well known and respected television and radio show host, most recently hosting "Celebrity Poker" on BET.

Ryan finds himself surrounded by positivity, which is a must along with having people take to him as well as they do! This gives him more assurance that his vision of being on television will be in the near future. In 2013, he also said he sees himself styling celebrities and as always he is open to endless opportunities.

In Ryan's humbling words, he explained, "I'm too far out, can't swim back now!" Ryan gave me one word to sum up the year of 2013..... "MAJOR!"

TKHC: What do you enjoy most about the fashion/styling industry?

Ryan explained, " Fashion is cool, but style is better! Fashion is here today and gone tomorrow. It is trendy. Style is timeless, classic and eternal. I am very frugal, so I prefer things that last longer." He expressed that the "Thrift Shop" song by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis best sums up his life of shopping. More for less!

STYLING INDUSTRY:

Ryan explained the industry as cut throat, so he prays daily in order to keep his sanity, name good, and remain a respected businessman keeping his integrity.

FASHION STYLING:

It is expressive and allows one to "Speak without speaking." Ryan explained, "I am a walking advertisement. Good clothes open all doors. I show confidence when I walk in and people notice the guy with the crazy socks and his pants rolled up. Style is an expression of self!" Ryan, like most people in fashion, loves to shop! He says, "I get a rush out of shopping when I find pieces that are so unique and seems as if they were just waiting on the shelf for me. Sometimes, I post client's items that we've shopped for on Instagram to show what was purchased with the allotted budget."

"We don't create ensembles, we change mentalities!"

The Ryan Jor El

It was a pleasure to meet Ryan months ago, but it was even more rewarding, hearing Ryan speak about his life as a fashion and style icon in such a informal, but direct manner. It allowed me to see more of the "Dreamer" that he is. Ryan said, "I didn't choose this life, it chose me!" Also, when it comes to style, Ryan has what some would call "The Eye." He said, "I see things in my head before they go on a person's body." Ryan explained and has shown me that he is a professional person of integrity and like any job, the styling industry has its good and bad. His work days, like the day the interview was conducted, are filled with photo shoots, clients, conference calls and more, but at the end of the day.....

Ryan said, "It provides self gratification because I have put in the work!" The highlight of Ryan's career was when he had the astounding pleasure of having dinner with Bevy Smith from the historical Vibe Magazine and her well known event "Dinner with Bevy,' which is where she links marketers and celebrities with movers and shakers from different fields and industries in order to create opportunities for growth and long lasting relationships! The "spin off" of this event is "Dinner with Bevy: Life with Vision" which is a dinner where Bevy hand picks her attendees and after submission of their resumes and meeting other criteria, Ryan was selected to meet with Ms. Smith. Since they met, she still calls him personally as he is "On her radar." The one thing that he always remembers from Ms. Smith is, "Make sure you're influencing your influencers!"

Meetings like this is why Ryan Jor El, the entertaining, goofy, people person, social butterfly, encourager and supporter continues to "Inspire to Attire!" Ryan said his sanity comes from his relationship with God and It keeps him going. After all the charity work, volunteering, styling with no pay and many other things, he does by God's order.....