Found Family Fashionistas: Venae Fowler & Shalaine Adams-Harris
Image: Ad featuring Shalaine Adams-Harris
In light of recent media and exposés about public figures in couture, we’ve come to learn that Black women have had an even harder way in this industry than we initially thought. Not only were we excluded from predominantly White spaces, but we were also mistreated and neglected in spaces that were supposedly made for us. Thankfully, much of that is turning around as society progresses. For decades, talented models & business minds like Shalaine Adams-Harris and Venae Fowler were cast aside for those with a more “popular” look. Frankly, though, overlooking these women in selective times is turning out to be the best thing that happens to community in Black fashion. Don’t get us wrong, though: as founders of Dawn & Corrine Styling, LLC, Shalaine and Venae credit where they are now to their paths in fashion.
Modeling, believe it or not, was never initially on the founders’ radars. Coming up, Venae, in her words, did not fit the mold that was sought after in modeling, nor did she ever see herself in the magazines she would look into. After some lifestyle changes and maturing into her womanhood through college, however, people began to approach her and suggested she should. What sparked her genuine interest in modeling, though, was a photographer working on the Beauty of the Week at Jet Magazine that opened her eyes to the possibility of where it could lead her. Twenty-eight years later, she is grateful for that Jet Magazine photographer.
Shalaine’s path started a little differently. She was actually a singer since she was a young girl. But by her late teens, something as simple as a piece of paper changed the course of her life forever.
An article about modeling was tacked onto her door and Shalaine said, “You know what? Let’s take the leap.” As opposed to print modeling, like Venae started out doing, Shalaine started her path on the runway, and found it invigorating. Living in both the modeling and music careers made the figure see the parallels between various entertainment industries, especially for her own personal journey. More on that later.
Somewhere along the way, Venae & Shalaine’s separate paths merged when they met through mutual connections. A close friend of Shalaine’s actually knew Venae first, and knew instantly that they’d click. And that’s exactly what they did. From there, Ms. Adams-Harris & Ms. Fowler have faced the world together! The founders even refer to themselves as “beauty twins” because of how aligned they are in career decisions, mentality and daily life.
“I told her she can’t ever get rid of me now. It’s forever.”
Image: Venae Fowler, People Magazine
Alas, no Black American woman’s journey to success goes without some sort of exclusion. Nearly thirty years ago, it was a struggle to find a face that reflected your own in modeling, partially because of the strict criteria that needed to be fulfilled to be a model in the first place. Venae, being a naturally slim, but still curvy lady, was consistently critiqued by several agencies’ measuring tapes. Usually, younger women would be coerced into changing themselves for the industry, and to the detriment of themselves. But Venae remained true to herself, and today has an extensive portfolio to be proud of.
On top of the physical limitations placed on young women since fashion’s inception, Shalaine & Venae also noticed that they were facing a new layer of exclusion by primarily being marketed differently than other types of women. They were regularly being casted in magazines labeled “urban” (such as Jet, Essence & Ebony), and casually disregarded for mainstream magazines. They found that White women got most of the opportunities to pose for publications like Vogue, Elle and Cosmopolitan, and Black women like Shalaine & Venae were cast aside like bastard children. While it was an honor to pose for Black magazines that became legendary to us all, modeling for mainstream magazines were experiences that Shalaine & Venae were deprived of, simply because of the fact that their skin is brown.
Although instances of subtle rejection and snubs can make one feel lost at times, there are platforms and initiatives that create spaces for Black creatives in fashion. Diversity and inclusion efforts that celebrate each other’s wins, and organizations that provided visibility for Shalaine and Venae really made them feel seen and valued as the assets to the industry that they are. Though, of course, this wasn’t an overnight process. Years of advocacy and amplifying Black voice in fashion have propelled the progression we see in fashion today. And when there weren’t many groups that provided this solace to overcome discrimination and isolation, Venae, Shalaine, and other models were their own little community that uplifted and supported each other’s careers. The entrepreneurs urge that it’s vital to have your own personal tight-knit group, especially in times of rejection. “Sometimes when things don't go your way, you come back and you're able to vent in a safe way. And then they're like, all right, you got 5 minutes and then we're on to the next project,” Ms. Adams-Harris states. The resilience it perpetuates is integral to an emerging professional in any industry, and are insightful jewels that the founders want younger Black women coming into the apparel sector to take advantage of, whether it’s in front of the camera, or in corporate.
As the fashion industry has evolved to include such a diverse catalogue of women, men, and non-binary people of all kinds of heights, weights, and shades, representation remains to be important. However, it has changed over time, according to Venae & Shalaine. When fashion was limited, representation was imperative in the sense of being able to see a complexion and physique that reflected your own, while also being respected for that physique. Now that inclusion has become paramount in this area, representation has become crucial in the facet of being authentically you. Those that pose for designers and print, now want to let their personality shine in order to make their mark. And while Shalaine & Venae didn’t come up in this evolved version of the industry, they are making their mark in other ways.
Shalaine has always had a passion for sytling. At Sony, her musical girl group would come to her to execute the vision for their look for each performance, and peers in her personal life would ask her for fashion advice. Venae took a liking to storytelling through clothing. So, after going through their careers and working together on professional projects, the beauty twins, being great minds that think alike, found themselves facing their next step: founding Dawn & Corrine Styling, LLC. With their synergies, using this business to control their narratives, empower clients through fashion, and create community for all kinds of people was an organic evolution from modeling. Venae states that their vision is, “to uplift, enlighten, build, continue to build self-esteem and make sure everyone feels satisfied in who they are when they walk out the door wearing clothes.”
Along with the belonging Dawn & Corrine Styling is intended to curate, the founders and I discussed sustainable fashion and the practices they participate in to keep our Earth green. Although they don’t currently intentionally buy sustainable fabrics from retailers, Shalaine & Venae encourage sustainable practices through rewearing clothes & accessories. Much of what they do have is organic material that biodegrades like cotton, and are big on repurposing either used clothing, or minimizing large purchases on many pair of shoes. There are benefits to mixing and matching one or two items with various other garments, which includes preserving the health of our planet. One particular case they take pride in is Aziza Miller, who is a jazz performer, that has found her style with the beauty twins and still wears clothing that they styled her in to this day! Shalaine has even personally shopped from sustainable stores, and says that the fabrics feel great against her skin. With sustainable practices, you can feel good about being comfortable, yet fashionable.
The beauty twins are a grand contribution to the society of fashion on all fronts. Not only did they find a sense of community in their own ways (and each other), but they seek to share that wealth with everyone. Now, the apparel industry reflects what they, along with many Black models over the decades, have been putting out there. Dawn & Corrine & the purpose it leads with is a legacy worth leaving behind. Venae & Shalaine are mentors, role models and veterans that deserve their flowers for their embodiment of Earth, body(-ody-ody) and belonging. Next thing we’ll know, all of the greats will have been styled at Dawn & Corrine! Here’s to the beauty twins!