Welcome to #WeNeedToTalk, where host #NylaSymone sits down with influential voices shaping our world. In this episode, the dynamic #LeecyaLamini joins the conversation, sharing insights into her collaborations with top fashion houses, pro sports ventures, and Afro Beat artists. Get ready for a captivating discussion that delves into the intersections of style, sports, and music. Don't miss this chance to gain exclusive perspectives from the accomplished Leecya Lamini.
Talk Soon! ✌🏾
Stay connected! Follow @wnttlk on all platforms.
Welcome to #WeNeedToTalk, where host #NylaSymone sits down with influential voices shaping our world. In this episode, the dynamic #LeecyaLamini joins the conversation, sharing insights into her collaborations with top fashion houses, pro sports ventures, and Afro Beat artists. Get ready for a captivating discussion that delves into the intersections of style, sports, and music. Don't miss this chance to gain exclusive perspectives from the accomplished Leecya Lamini.
Talk Soon! ✌🏾
Stay connected! Follow @wnttlk on all platforms.
Being that you just moved out here by yourself no family, no ties, talk about just that adjustment, because Parisian culture versus American culture is two very different cultures, totally different literally.
Speaker 2:Okay, so it was hard to make friends and it's still hard to make friends and I keep my circle very, very small. But I'm glad that I have my cousin with me in LA that just moved here, so she kind of like really holds it down for me, me and she's the one that I really talk to about every everything. And then you know, obviously you have certain friends for certain things. Like I just learned those boundaries because I'm really like a giving person. So I would just like you know, I would tell my whole life like first day I meet you. I used to be like that and then I just learned, like the hard way, that it doesn't work like that out here, like man, you gotta be really careful about like what you say and who you with and who you around and stuff. So I just started to move differently and kind of learn from my mistakes yeah and now I just keep my circle very small.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I have to. What's up y'all? It's Lissia. You might have seen some of my work styling stars as a Shaggy and YG recently, nyla we need to talk.
Speaker 1:what? What's going on, guys? Nyla Simone here with another episode of we Need To Talk, and today I have a very special guest in the building. My girl, lee is here. How are you? I'm amazing, nyla.
Speaker 2:Thank you for having me, of course. I'm so glad we finally can make this happen Finally, I know.
Speaker 1:I see you a little bit lately, you know, are you tired? Because I know it's been a crazy year between Grammys and Super Bowl and now it's what, um, what is it? All-star, all-star weekend how are you?
Speaker 2:well, I feel kind of exhausted, like it was a lot of work like in a short amount of time, but at the end of the day, I'm so happy that I got to work like on these projects because it was on my vision board already since December for my 2024 years, so I'm glad that I got this already lined up so early, checking things off Exactly.
Speaker 1:January is already checked, as you said. For those who don't know, leigh is a very poppin' stylist out here. She styles a lot of your favorite celebrities, like Cali Ashake.
Speaker 2:Gunna. No, not Gunna, it was SARS actually. But Gunna was also on the music video. Okay, yes, I did. Joey Badass, I worked in Cardi's styling team, lil Nas X with Bloody Burna Boy, with Ella as well. Like just worked in a lot of different styling teams and yeah, I really just did, like Ashake SARS, lately Aira Star 2 with my girl from the Grammys. It was amazing, love that.
Speaker 1:Love them. Yeah, love them all. So talk to me about just getting into styling in general and like how you kind of made your name.
Speaker 2:So I was working in like self-advising in Paris, a lot Like I was just networking in Paris during fashion weeks and stuff. And then I was like, well, hold on, american people are like so cool compared to Paris. I need to like see what is this about. So I've never been to the US, mind you, before. So first time ever I came here was like two years ago and I just came like with no plans, just moved here from Paris. Is this pandemic or after pandemic? That was after pandemic. That was like 2021, through two, actually 2022.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I moved here and then I just started like building my network, um, reaching out to all the different styling teams and stuff, and I really got close with this assistant that was working in Cardi B styling team and they just got me give me my chance that day and since then I just kept like working with different styling teams, assisting a lot and stuff. And then I started really building my own thing and doing my own styling on celebrities. Like that was like a year and stuff. And then I started really building my own thing and doing my own styling on celebrities. Like that was like a year and a half ago. Yeah.
Speaker 1:I'm so happy wait, so talk to me about what you were doing in Paris. Is it the same thing you were doing in Paris you're doing over here, or was it different?
Speaker 2:so I was really just working for houses, like like self-advising, like connecting celebrities and stuff, like I was doing balenciaga, prada, dior, um, I did even sephora. Like I did a lot of cell advising for like two years, like just back to back to back, just stacking my money up and getting ready to move also yeah and um. I just built my network out there, you know yeah, so what drew you to fashion?
Speaker 1:you know like, how did you end up falling into that career?
Speaker 2:I just always loved it, like I already studied fashion when I was like 17, 18, 19, like you know. Like how did you end up falling into that career? I just always loved it like. I already studied fashion when I was like 17, 18, 19, like you know, in high school and stuff. I was always just I just always wanted to be in that field.
Speaker 1:So yeah, did you go to school for it like an art school, oh yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:So I got graduated and then I had three years of it's called bachelor. I don't know if you guys have it here too. It's like. It's like just under the master.
Speaker 1:OK, yeah, we have that, yeah that. So you got your. You got a bachelor's in fashion.
Speaker 2:Yeah, Nice OK.
Speaker 1:OK, and then, like as a kid, talk to me about your style, because it kind of takes time to develop your own, like your style, versus styling other people.
Speaker 2:when I was younger, like I was following all the trends, like even the worst. I'm talking about, you know, the galaxy leggings, like those stuff I was wearing it all. Like all the like ugly trends I was looking at doing it all like yeah so, um, but then I just ended up wearing what I really liked and that's kind of how I built my style. I got a lot of inspiration too on pinterest, instagram. Yeah, you know, even like fashion moguls, like at the time. But yeah, I use a lot of inspo on internet fire.
Speaker 1:I love that. Okay, I know um styling yourself and then styling other people, though you kind of have to have different lenses, so how do you go about wearing those different hats?
Speaker 2:so I kind of like study how they already dress, like what they like, what brands they're into, prior to styling them and even like it depends on, like the project that it is, you know, and I'm just going to try to match my vision to like their actual style so it aligns and then I just go this direction.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's tough, like, for example, the last person that I styled, so that was SARS who did Mona Lisa with CB for the Grammys, and this I got inspired by a lot of Virgil, you know, last shows before he passed. So I just studied those shows a lot and I just wanted to put him in LV. So I did put him in like full LV, spring, summer, 24. Amazing, he looked so good. And also because you know this trend came up with like the mob wives, like kind of like you know this trend came up with like the mob wives, like kind of like you know, big fur coats and like black, all attire and stuff, so I was also inspired by that to put him in like a full black suit with a big fur coat.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's super dope. I love that. This is my first time actually interviewing a stylist, so I feel like these are just my genuine questions as to how like all of this works um, but being that, you just moved out here by yourself no family, no ties, talk about just that adjustment, because Parisian culture versus American culture is two very different cultures, totally different literally.
Speaker 2:Okay, so it was hard to make friends.
Speaker 2:And it's still hard to make friends and I keep my circle very, very small. But I'm glad that I have my cousin with me in LA that just moved here, so she kind of like really holds it down for me and she's the one that I really talk to about everything. And then you know, obviously you have certain friends for certain things. Like I just learned those boundaries because I'm really like a giving person. So I would just like you know, I would tell my whole life like first day I meet you. I used to be like that and then I just learned, like the hard way, that it doesn't work like that out here. Like you got to be really careful about like what you say and who you're with and who you're around and stuff. So I just started to move differently and kind of learn from my mistakes.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And now I just keep my circle very small.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I have to uh, yeah, I have to. No, I don't know what I mean. Like I wish it wasn't like that, but I I think when I first moved out here I was kind of similar where, like I thought I was like creating a family, so I'm like so transparent, and like hey, exactly just that. And then you're like, where'd you move from maryland?
Speaker 2:yeah, not too far outside of it.
Speaker 1:yeah, yeah, but like. And then you realize quick, like like oh wait, you met a good team. It's not like that Exactly.
Speaker 2:Yeah, like every time Fucking people man. And the pattern keeps like repeating. You know what I mean. Like it's you think that that person is different, but then it ends up being just like the other side.
Speaker 1:Like, you got it, and it sucks, though, because you would get it, but yeah, no. It's really not like that, but at least you learn you know For sure and you're not.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, yeah, but it's also like I'm young, so I feel like I had to learn, like, the hard way. I'm really stubborn, like, but I feel like I had to learn the hard way, so it's kind of it gives me less than anyways.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's good way, for sure I have to go through it.
Speaker 2:I have to go through it every time, like you know what's your sign a virgo, virgo oh my god, what's your sign?
Speaker 1:I hate virgo men, but I like virgo women. Beyonce's a virgo.
Speaker 2:I hate virgo men too. Actually I do, but I don't know nothing about signs. But virgo men like is a no, no, no, yeah, they're sorry I mean, I feel like you should be able to understand them, because y'all the same size. They stand on business. Too much, too much, too much Like let it go.
Speaker 1:And they're like crazy control freaks. Things gotta be perfect. Shit like that Do you think Are you like that with your work too?
Speaker 2:I for sure am like this. Yes, that's why it's not gonna work, nigga, because my way is the way, exactly like we both was, just like you know, too much against each other, like it doesn't work.
Speaker 1:So within the past two years you've already accomplished a lot and worked with, you know some major artists and you know it's funny because, coming from paris and you work with a lot of afrobeat artists you know you still still have, uh to tap into like more of like the hip-hop scene and even the country scene or whatever. As you continue to grow, do you have certain demos that you're trying to hit?
Speaker 2:So I feel like, okay, so I just started to tap into Afro artist and I love it so much Because I'm also African, so it kind of connects like full circle moment Love it. But I definitely want to tap in more into the sports, so that's my next project, though I already have something like a line for circle moment love it, but I definitely want to tap in more like into the sports.
Speaker 1:So that's my next project, though I already have something like a line for that, but nba for sure fire I want to tap into that, yeah, so find me also please, because some of them are very fly, but some of them are very not, you know exactly that's right, everybody has their strengths. Yeah, but I will say I think it's fun with that um afrobeat artists, because they do a lot of colors like they do a lot of things that I feel like a lot of yeah, us probably aren't gonna tap into like they're not afraid they kind of careless about like having just full designers and they more into like the actual art behind fashion.
Speaker 2:So that's what I love they trust the vision. I feel like more.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think asaka had some type of um wild pants on, that's saying it's responsible for you. But the internet was well. Some people were flaming him and some people were like, no, this is mad fashion. I think it was on afro today and I was like, actually, I fuck with this I fuck with it.
Speaker 2:Actually, ashaka has his own style, like he already knows how to dress himself, like he don't even need a stylist for real. But yeah, he, he has a good sense of fashion already. I love that yeah, he knows what he wants to, so that's really good thanks.
Speaker 1:This. This is fun. You've only been here two years, you've already accomplished so much. I know you said you wanted to happen to sports, but I guess, like, long long go, do you plan on leaving america, going somewhere else and taking over? Like, how do you see yourself continuing to evolve?
Speaker 2:I definitely want to like expand more like my in asia and stuff like kind of work with asian artists, like especially korean, like rappers and stuff like this and um do you listen to k-pop not really, no, no, but uh, I've been to korea, like a year ago, and just the culture, like it amazed me.
Speaker 2:I really loved it so much and I was like you know why not building art? Because I went there to work with uh fashion designers already with puma. And I was like you know why not building out there? Because I went there to work with uh fashion designers already with Puma, and I felt like it would be like a good you know next step and um, but I would love to move to Dubai, though, like yo, yes, yes, oh, that's because I'm Muslim and I feel like it would be just the perfect like space for me in my 30s. Eventually, you know, yeah, love it your 30s.
Speaker 1:You got time before. I know I'm thinking ahead, though you know you said long ago, so I'm like thinking ahead for sure, all right okay no, I think dubai would definitely be dope, especially since they're still kind of like in the making type vibe, riyadh and dubai are really like going up right now.
Speaker 2:Yeah, they have a lot of events and stuff.
Speaker 1:So do you feel like you're being drawn to these different places based off the fashion, or is it based on like other things? Because it seems like you're just a fan of the culture in general yeah, yeah, I really love the culture.
Speaker 2:I'm not really like dragged by anything like in fashion and stuff all right, let's play a game.
Speaker 1:This is called questions that need answers. If you know, you know, all you gotta do is fill in the blank. Okay, all right, I'm so bad at this, but let's do it.
Speaker 1:No, oh, oh, that's what I was gonna ask you. So when you did move here, what would you say are some of like the huge cultural differences that you had to adapt to because I studied abroad in college and in each country I went to, I was always like, oh shit, you guys don't do this. Or oh, like, italian dressing isn't in italy, like this is of america. You know what I mean. So like what was that for you?
Speaker 2:when you got here, the stuff that kind of shocked me Mm-hmm, the sizes, like, the portions, like y'all eat so much, like compared to overseas, like why is the McDonald's cup like that big? You know what I mean? Like everything is just so big it's funny.
Speaker 1:You say that because I was starving when I got to Paris. Oh my gosh Starving. The portion is so much smaller, so small.
Speaker 2:So much smaller, also, how comfortable people are with you. So fast they just feel they just kind of skip the steps of friendship. You know, here they kind of like I think that's.
Speaker 1:LA, that's LA. Yeah, that's maybe LA, for sure that's LA. And.
Speaker 2:New York people are more real, I feel like, and it's kind of more similar to Paris people. I fuck with New York for that and what else, what else, what else? In Paris they're also very much more rude than in LA, but again, it's like an LA thing, because in New York they're kind of rude too and more negative. But yeah, that's kind of york, they kind of like rude too and more negative. Um, but yeah, that's kind of the shock, the stuff. That kind of shocked me and how like they. I feel like it's like there's less respect and less like than in paris for like older people that makes sense like yeah anything be going over here.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, that's true, that is true like, like less polite yeah, less manners, but like.
Speaker 1:Yeah, eh, that's a good point, it's bad. I don't know. I don't know what to blame for that.
Speaker 2:But all right, Back to the game.
Speaker 1:Okay. So the first question is the older I get, the less I blink, the less I go out, the less you go out, mm what?
Speaker 2:you go out. What? That is a lie. Yes, that's true actually, because when I got here I was like outside, like literally like outside every time that's because you had to be you sure. Yeah, but in la now I don't even go out no more. I just be so comfortable in my house. I don't even want to leave for real by the way, I've seen your house.
Speaker 1:It looks very nice. I'm so happy, bitch, you're coming to la.
Speaker 2:No, I'm so happy that was one of my accomplishments for 2023 really glad.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I like how goal oriented you are.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, 100%, yeah, I have to like look it's on my background, that's fire, yeah what else is on your 2024? So it was the rock nation branch didn't go doing more podcasts going to Japan.
Speaker 1:They canceled it. They canceled it, yeah.
Speaker 2:Doing more podcasts. Forbes 30 Under 30. Grammys which is done. More fashion shows yeah, panel talks too.
Speaker 1:Do you see yourself doing like a fashion podcast or something of that sort?
Speaker 2:I was thinking about it. But you know, I feel like it's kind of like saturated for now.
Speaker 1:There's a lot of people that have podcasts that are not really like entitled to like actually talk about things.
Speaker 2:That's what I'm gonna say. Just give so much information to people like and it's you know, you don't never know who watch your podcast, so I just don't want to like give information when I'm not really entitled like why would I talk about a relationship when I don't have like an actual sex, successful like marriage, or something but you don't have to do, like bullshit conversation, like you could do your shit on actual fashion, like you know, shit.
Speaker 1:You know about fashion shows, trends, what's dropping, like you just sharing weekly. You know, oh, these are fly, or just how you do that. I think people would.
Speaker 2:I would watch. Yeah, I would watch. That's true, that's true.
Speaker 1:But if you talk about gossip, yeah, I probably get that shit in there.
Speaker 2:I don't like that yeah.
Speaker 1:Okay, I'm a little embarrassed by the fact that I know so little about blank about.
Speaker 2:like hip-hop history, I feel like I need to tap in more into that because there's a lot of stuff that I don't know, being a foreigner yeah you know and like about American, like hip-hop culture, so I need to tap in more into that do you listen to hip-hop?
Speaker 1:did you listen when you're in?
Speaker 2:Paris too, just like classics, like R&B, you know back in the days, but I don't actually know about like a lot of stuff. Yeah, yeah, yeah like when I came here like in la for the first time, like people was like girl, like you're so green, like you don't know like about this and that I'm like no, like you know, like, because we just don't know all the like gossips and stuff overseas, you know it's funny how things transfer over.
Speaker 1:I mean, you really don't need to to know it, but it would be nice.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah yeah, it just helps about, like, how to move around certain people you know, yeah, how to like navigate through things that's true actually.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, yes. Um, sometimes I look back at my life and blank back at my life and cry because I was like.
Speaker 2:I was like so, um, I was like it was really hard for me to like get where I wanted to get and it was just like a lot of extra work because of like, sometimes, you know, I would fall out with somebody and it was just like kind of affect my career and it just was this for a long time. But like now that I see that I have like really like good mentors around me and really good people and really good projects, I'm just so happy. Like that's not like like sad tears, but I'm just like I'm so happy.
Speaker 1:So really good projects. I'm just so happy like that's not like like side tears, but I'm just like, I'm so happy, so grateful.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, you got through the madness exactly. Yeah. Yeah, from time to time it's good to do blank, from time to time it's good to do, I could say, dance, because I do a lot of hip-hop. Dance really, you be dancing. Yeah, I'll be dancing. No, what? How come you don't post no videos? I know, I know, yeah, I be dancing. I be dancing for a minute actually. Wow, I was dancing back in Paris. I was doing like ballet when I was younger and I started liking to do hip-hop.
Speaker 1:Do you see yourself tapping into that at some point, like?
Speaker 2:more. No, yeah, but I started boxing recently and I love it so much this I could see myself like pushing more to that. Really yeah, I love it, what I love it Kickboxing or boxing boxing, like boxing boxing, what? Like English boxing, that's fire. Yeah, I was doing like Muay Thai back in Paris, and then, since I got here, I kind of start doing like real, like boxing, english boxing, and it's just so good, it feels amazing. It's a lot of technique too.
Speaker 1:So oh, I love that. Okay, I made a complete fool of myself when I blinked.
Speaker 2:When I fell fucking two days ago at this club, that was Stafford Room, bro, and you know they have like stairs that are hella like vertical and I was coming down and fell like the whole entire like stairs. And I was like I'm not waking up, Like I'm staying on the floor, I'm like somebody come get me Like. I'm sorry, I'm not standing up, like no.
Speaker 1:That room is a vibe. Yes yes, it's a vibe, it's kind of ghetto but it's a vibe, love it here and there.
Speaker 2:Yeah, okay here and there, yeah, um, okay, my personality trait is blank.
Speaker 1:My personality trait is controlling workaholic such a virgo.
Speaker 2:I'm sorry, I am like I really am, though it's like I have to just like control everything like around me. That's like bad but good at the same time, but it kind of. Yeah, it takes a lot of room sometimes in spaces, you know I get it, so I have to like, but that's what makes you you exactly. Yeah, it has to like just go my way. If it's not my way, I just don't want to hear it.
Speaker 1:You're a real artist you know what I mean. Like yeah, I would say, because you mentioned how, like you have good mentors around you, who are some, some of your mentors who have been helping you on this journey.
Speaker 2:Lenny S Love him.
Speaker 2:He's been really putting me into amazing rooms since I met him two years ago. I have Brooke she's director of A&R. She's amazing too. I have a lot of A&R mentors. A&r mentors, yeah, that kind of helped me like connecting me with artists and stuff, like putting me into rooms, inviting me to events and stuff. Um, alexa, that is a shack manager, and also mine, she's amazing, holding it down every time. She kind of has this big sister role at the same time. So now, yeah, I have really really good mentors like, yeah, love them. I love it's a two women and one guy mentor. Yeah, actually, actually I have others also, but those are like the names that I always like refer to when I need something. That's super dope, yeah.
Speaker 1:How is it? Because I feel like you know people that you name again work with huge people, especially in this culture. Why do you think they took to you? Because they don't really take to everybody.
Speaker 2:I feel like I was just really myself when I met them and they kind of like saw they seen my bad, my English is kind of broken. Okay, be nice. Um, they kind of like seen how I was like motivated like moving from overseas by myself at 21. Like they was like, yeah, like she must be really hungry and they kind of like helped me, connecting some dots, putting me into rooms, connecting me to certain peoples and stuff. So that was very like helpful and valuable. Like I'm so grateful for those people.
Speaker 2:That's dope yeah, it's really important to have good monitors.
Speaker 1:I feel like oh my god, 100 yeah, it's very important, especially as an implant. You know I mean for sure I get it that shit is hard. It is really hard um, would you say.
Speaker 2:You said Lenny and the girls. Yeah, I also had like Nima, which is the founder of Empire, so I met him, larry June, when I was back in Paris and they always just helped me, you know, like with my visa, also like writing me recommendation letters, wow. They're amazing, yeah, amazing.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's why I was going to ask, because you just brought up your English. Yes, how long did it take you to learn?
Speaker 2:English. My stepbrother is Slovakian. Okay, he's from East Europe, so he don't speak English. So since I'm young, I kind of always spoke English with him and then it was just a lot of movies and I pick up a lot on like languages and stuff like slang. I can like really memorize it because I'm very much of a um, what is called verbal, verbal person. Yeah, so it's like I pick up very fast on like languages and stuff I learned a lot of. I have. I speak like four, five languages, so it's like very fast for me to like what do you speak? I speak Arabic, I speak Spanish, french, um English and then a little bit of Korean. Wow, I understand more than I speak, though for Korean, that's so good I love it.
Speaker 1:Damn, you are killing it. I love it, thank you, oh my God. No, I love it. I love everything that you're doing out here. Thank you so much, looking forward to see you continue to flourish so much.
Speaker 2:I'm happy that I got here in this podcast. Thank you so much for having me. Yes, of course, I love what you do too. Thank you, and yeah, we're gonna work together soon again that's a fact for sure shout out your gram, let everybody know.
Speaker 1:Thank you, nyla yeah, wait, I'm sorry, say your gram, let everybody know where they can follow. Oh, licia l-e-e-c-y-a-a. Add me on instagram yes, definitely tap in Talk soon guys.