Black women aren’t the only ones making major moves in the fashion industry–brothers are thriving as well. Top stylists and stars of the new Netflix series, Styling Hollywood, Jason Bolden and Adair Curtis sat down with media maven Kéla Walker for an eye-opening panel discussion at ESSENCE Fashion House. Partners in work and love, the married couple and co-founders of JSN Studio opened up about the struggles that Black creatives face while pursuing a career in the fashion industry and launching a successful business.
Jason Bolden is the style guru for Hollywood’s most influential women. The St. Louis native dresses A-listers Yara Shahidi, and Taraji P. Henson, among others. A former business manager for Russell Simmons, Bolden’s other half, Adair Curtis is an interior designer that has decked out homes for numerous A-listers including Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade. Viewers get a glimpse of the duo’s work at JSN Studio via their new Netflix series, where the pair can be seen giving fashion and home makeovers to their celebrity clients while balancing their marriage.
Bolden and Curtis may have achieved much success, but it wasn’t easy for them to get their foot in the door. Bolden explained that while other people received the opportunity to intern with well-known designers, he had to figure it all out on his own. “There’s no book for brown people, there’s no book for us,” Bolden said. This strong work ethic continued determination is what has carried the duo throughout their careers.
To see more of Jason Bolden and Adair Curtis check out there new reality series, Styling Hollywood on Netflix.
For more of everything you missed at the first-ever ESSENCE Fashion House NYC, head here.