Golden: WNBA & Celebrity Stylist | Personal Shopper

Golden has been passionate about the world of fashion and styling for as long as she can remember. From pursuing a bachelor's degree in fashion merchandising during her time in college to embarking on a full-on content creating journey upon graduation to showcase her personal style and build her professional portfolio, Golden was determined to pave her own path in the industry from the start. Sure enough, she did just that. In the Summer of 2023, Golden confirmed her first two WNBA clients—Kalani Brown and Teaira McCowan—and officially embarked on her styling career in sports. She hasn't looked back since. From working alongside award-winning celebrity stylists like Amadi Brooks to expanding her client roster in the WNBA and styling an array of players including Isabelle Harrison and Saniya Rivers, Golden has made an impact and fostered her personal legacy in the space. As she looks to the future, Golden is excited for all that's in store. Through it all, she remains fueled by her commitment to providing clients with a luxury experience and inspired by the opportunity to use fashion as a powerful form of personal storytelling.

Take us all the way back! How did you get started in the industry?

Yeah! I attended the University of North Texas where I graduated Fall ‘22 with my Bachelor’s of Science in Fashion Merchandise. I got my start because I decided to take my content creating seriously after college. I knew I didn't want to work for a company and let my creativity be dipped down or even taken for granted, so I just started taking content creation seriously. One day going out here in Dallas, I ran into the Dallas Wings and that is where the proposal with my clients came from. Then, July 4th of 2023, I got my first-ever confirmation stating that they wanted to work with me for the 2023 WNBA playoff season. I got my start from there and that’s pretty much how I started off.

Did you always know that you wanted to go into the world of athlete styling? How did you embark on this venture in sports?

I did not know (*laughs*). Of course with my degree, I knew I wanted to do something in fashion but I did not know that this world existed. You know, it’s not like a ‘set in stone’ career. It’s more of a career that if you know, you know; and if you have the opportunity, you have to know people to get the opportunity. So I would say that this was not something that I saw as a kid or even in college that I would get into, but I'm grateful that I was able to be given the opportunity of styling and creating in this new space.

Take us through that transition into the world of athlete styling and personal shopping. What were some challenges that you faced early on?

I would say (hearing) a lot of ‘nos’ because I was new into the fashion industry. I had no reputation. I had no name for myself. So I faced a lot of ‘nos’. I mean, I still face a lot of ‘nos’ to this day. As I’ve built my portfolio and my clientele, there’s still some challenges that go into that. With the WNBA growing, I'm also growing as a stylist. Now that the WNBA is shaking up some things in the fashion industry, there is a benefit because it’s like: “Ok, WNBA stylists do exist. Let’s give them an opportunity.” Another challenge I would specifically say is not having that stylist background when I came into being a WNBA stylist. My first-ever time styling clients was with Kalani Brown and Teaira McCowan. I was new to everything (when it came to) being a stylist, so that was probably my biggest challenge: maneuvering things. It was like, “How do I take this opportunity and become good at it when I don't know the ins and outs? I know fashion. I have a fashion background. I know fashion intellect, but I don't know what it takes to be this stylist.” So I would say that that was the biggest challenge I faced: working with athletes and knowing nothing about the industry that I was in.

As you reflect back on that journey early on of diving into sports styling head-on and creating your own opportunities in the space, how did you work to navigate through some of those challenges that you faced in the beginning?

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