The Spotlight - Oscar James

Oscar James
   
As a black hairstylist from Harlem trying to make it in this beauty industry, I didn't always see inspiration on the "front lines"... my glam role models were the hairstylists working besides me in the salon or in my neighborhood and they were probably thee BEST inspiration a hairstylist can get, but my dreams were bigger than the salon and I knew that I had sooo much to offer the beauty industry and so I've always done the research to seek out other black glam artist to see how and what  they were doing to make it happen in this industry, so the folliclesandFashion spotlight is my way to say Thank You to all the artists who inspired and continue to give me inspiration, because I am constantly on a journey for more.

Todays spotlight Oscar James has been on my radar since the 90's because I would often wonder about the Glam artists behind the models and celebrities I would see on TV and in magazines and Oscar James' name would often come up, along with Sam Fine, Ellen LaVar, Chucky Amos and others that will get their spotlight on folliclesandFASHION.


Oscar James has been honing his skills since his high school days where he attended high school and beauty school simultaneously, after moving to New York and working in some of the finest salons Oscar started making connections that would take his Hairstyling career on a journey.

Vanessa Williams

Tyra Banks

Iman

Oscar has done Models and Celebrities and has been featured in Vogue, ELLE, Essence and Cosmo to name a few 

The Journey for Oscar James wasn't always high, there was a point in his career where he followed the  advice of others and opened a salon in his hometown of South Carolina which didn't turn out to be the greatest idea, and so Oscar closed down and came back to New York at the age of 40 to "start over again" and I have to say it takes a lot of courage to begin again...

If you ever wondered who helped Nicki Minaj transform her image from cartoon to couture you have found your answer! Oscar James is the creative behind the transformation, and I must say it was a good one :-) as an artist you want to bring out the best in the person you're working with and Oscar was able to merge creativity with reality  

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj

Oscar James' journey is one of many examples that you're never too old to start over again 

We = Me at folliclesandFashion Luv Oscar James and sprinkle confetti over his path of continued success in all his business and personal endeavors ;-) 

 keep up with Oscar and follow his journey on instagram 

www.instagram.com/oscarjameshair

Gabrielle Corney - Follicles Spotlight

 Gabrielle Corney, Hairstylist to the stars is in the  "SPOTLIGHT" with folliclesandFASHION

With over 20 years in the industry, Gabrielle Corney is the go to stylist for  some of the hottest celebrities on reality TV, she is also part of a creative team for brands such as, Indique and Carols Daughter while maintaining a successful clientele in her midtown suite.

This Queens girl and lover of the arts fell head over heels at an early age, but started her haircare journey as a receptionist at Vidal Sassoon in the late 90’s  when it was the iconic Apple building on 60th and Fifth avenue. Gabrielle soon took her skills, passion and exceptional customer service into the world of freelance where she landed a job for G units songbird Olivia, with whom she traveled the world beautifying. 

Since the early days of her career Gabrielle has been featured in numerous publications from Vibe to InStyle and her work has graced the screens of networks like VH1, MTV and BET. 

I caught up with Gabrielle (Gabbi) for coffee and conversation about her favorite products, hair care tips, building a brand and of course what it's like to be a MELANIN girl in the folliclesandFASHION world.

folliclesandFASHION: Gabbi, I know you have done plenty of interviews and most likely get asked the same questions, so for this one I would like to do some candid questions is that ok?

Gabbi: Of course! I'm always down for a little fun

folliclesandFASHION: OK, here we go - CURLY of STRAIGHT HAIR?

Gabbi: Ummm CURLY... then again STRAIGHT... (laughing) listen sometimes a girl wants to be curly and sometimes she wants it straight (referring to herself)

folliclesandFASHION: I completely understand that... now TOPKNOT or PONYTAIL?

Gabbi: PONYTAIL... I just did a textured ponytail on Kandi that was super cute and recently gave June Ambrose a topknot with a full bang that was super cute as well lol.

Kandi Burruss

June Ambrose

folliclesandFASHION: Yes, yes and yes! I saw that, and iLuved them both you're such a versatile stylist, at first glance I thought you only did natural hair but that's totally not it.

Gabbi: Yeah Im a lover of hair, natural or relaxed... as long as its healthy but if its not I can help get it there. 

folliclesandFASHION: BLONDE OR BRUNETTE?

Gabbi: BOTH, Blondes have more fun, but Dark is lovely.

folliclesandFASHION: iLuv that! CHOPPY or BLUNT? 

Gabbi: Choppy

folliclesandFASHION: Bad hair day go to SCARF or HAT?

Gabbi: SCARF, but that's only once in a while....you can do so much with it! like make it into a headband, tie it into a bow or wear it as a turban. 

folliclesandFASHION: OK, lets switch it up, Ill start the sentence and you finish it with whatever comes to mind. Its ok to...

Gabbi: Be a masterpiece while under construction

folliclesandFASHION: iLUV when....

Gabbi: People are authentically who they are... (and also when my coffee is light and sweet, just like me) laughing

folliclesandFASHION: After a long day...

Gabbi: I unplug, unwind, replay and recharge.

folliclesandFASHION: iLUV ... (I may need to follow that) :-) I wake up and....

Gabbi: PRAY.....and then I put the coffee on.

folliclesandFASHION: When I drink coffee...

Gabbi: It brings back memories of time spent with my granny the act of brewing it.. the smell of it.... makes me smile, #itsDeeperthantaste

folliclesandFASHION: I love traditions big or small... these are the things that keep us forever connected to family. Now lets talk haircare, what are some of your go to products.

Gabbi; There are so many good products on the market, but Im going to give you my staples and these products never change for me.

 Aloe

Coconut oil

Liquid Vitamin E

Olive Oil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc5OKZvAg8g

folliclesandFASHION: Great, now can you give us a Haircare tip?

Gabbi: You should wash your hair ties or bonnets as often as you shampoo your hair.

folliclesandFASHION: Advice you want to share on building a brand?

 Gabbi: LOVE what you do, because it takes a lot of hard work and dedication.

 The same way it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a team or network to build a brand  Your brand is a representation of you.

 Also play nice in the sandbox, the world is a small town

folliclesandFASHION: Any input on the being a Melanin girl in this industry?

                                       Gabbi; Know that your Melanin is ahmazing!!!!!

To stay connected to Gabbi click the link below

http://www.gabriellecorney.com/

https://www.instagram.com/gabriellecorney/?hl=en