Passion 2019: Niki Hall

Passion 2019: Niki Hall

Name: Niki Hall

Title/Position: Costume Designer/Stylist

Instagram/Website: @thisisniki / www.nikihall.com

Niki Hall is not just a Wardrobe Stylist – she is in the business of transformation! Driven by the desire to explore how fashion shapes both the individual and history, Niki's unique perspective on style uses a simple approach to create dynamic and impactful impressions. Based in NYC, over the last twenty years, Niki's finely honed talents for fashion styling, costume design, creative direction, and image consulting, make her an expert at navigating the specialized needs of a diverse clientele. Whether it's collaborating with individuals, celebrities or big name brands, Niki's specialties span the scale of multimedia projects; from art to advertising, commercial, digital content, fashion, film, live-televised specials, makeovers, music videos, promos, sporting events, and television.
(Source: http://www.nikihall.com)

DT: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? And some highlights in your career? Please name drop (laughs).

NH: About twenty years ago, I moved to NYC and had a chance encounter with Patricia Field; that would forever shape the course of my life.  Prior to this moment, I'd always wanted to work in the world of fashion, but didn't realize that a career could be made outside of the traditional pathways of becoming either a fashion designer or a buyer.  In that instant, I decided what I wanted to be "when I grew up."  Since then, each passing year has presented me with various experiences as a stylist/designer: from assisting on editorials for L'Officiel, Spanish Vogue and runway shows; to building my own body of styling and design projects for major brands and events such as L'Oreal, NBA, MTV, ESPN, Geico, Sony Music Group, and others.  To varying degrees, each of these opportunities has served as a rite of passage to the present day.  Each project and each person that I collaborate with, including the directors, photographers, HMUs and other stylists, have deeply and positively influenced me as an artist, as a woman, and now, as a mother.

DT: Why is it important to have diversity in the beauty and fashion industries?

NH: It's important to have diversity in the beauty and fashion industries, not only for the equality of representation but also just as a means to spark new ideas and concepts. I think a lot of brands miss the mark on maximizing their full return of investment by ignoring large sectors of the market simply because they fail to do the research or fail to diversify their range of product and their marketing staff.

DT: Have you seen shifts in the last decade?

NH: One of the biggest shifts that I've noticed in the last decade is the incredible power and younger generations being able to tap into their niche market with the slightest of effort through the use of social media and technology to convey their brand philosophy.

DT: In a perfect world, what would be an ideal evolution in the industries of beauty and fashion?

NH: In an ideal world, we wouldn't need to have any further discussions about a lack of diversity across the board: from leadership positions, to equal representation (awards, museums, ads, magazines, billboards, multimedia, etc.), to the availability of funding of diverse designers/artists/concepts.

DT: Do you realize that your presence in the industry, inspires many people around the world?

NH: I hope so. I didn't even know that my career was a possibility prior to sort of stumbling on. So in that sense, I hope that someone sees something that I've had the opportunity to be a part of and is encouraged to pursue a nonconventional interest, too.

DT: What advice would you give your younger self?

NH: In the beginning of my career, I was a little more fearless and daring. I think that youth (the naivety of) is a special place to hold on to, so I would tell myself, not to lose all of that part of myself completely.

DT: Are you living your purpose?

NH: My purpose is manifold; and, I do believe that I am living, moving, and breathing in the best way that I can right now.

DT: Finish this sentence, "I am grateful for…"

NH: "…and feel extremely blessed to do something that I find creatively fulfilling and financially rewarding."

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