Alumni
A Chat with Acclaimed Stylist and Costume Designer Tashiba Jones-Wilson
Los Angeles native Tashiba Jones-Wilson, who has a degree in Visual Communications, entered the industry at age 16, as a retail sales associate. Since graduating from FIDM, she’s worked as an in-demand celebrity stylist and costume designer for shows such as Black-ish, Insecure, and America’s Got Talent, and is the fashion and décor coordinator for Tina Knowles-Lawson’s annual Wearable Art Gala.
Tell us about your role as the fashion and décor coordinator for Tina Knowles-Lawson’s Wearable Art Gala. What are you planning for 2020? I oversee Ms. Tina's ideas and vision for what the models wear. This year, our staff and volunteers wore specialty Afrocentric attire—approximately 100 outfits. I assisted with research of the looks and coordinated the fittings and alterations of the staff, models, and volunteers. There were celebrities such as David Kaluuya and Star Jones who needed styling, so I assisted them, as well as 10 additional guests.
When it comes to the decor, again it was about bringing Ms. Tina's vision to life. There were custom photo booths and food station decor I oversaw with her, keeping in mind the overall landscape of colors and the theme when executing these visual concepts. For the past three years of the gala, it's been a pleasure having FIDM Alumni and students be a part of volunteer team. For 2020, I can't announce the theme yet, but it will be just as spectacular and eye-catching as our 2019 gala.
Are you still active with your companies Connect N Dots and East 2 West Property Group? Yes, Connect N Dots is a passion project to give brands access to getting their product on celebrities, TV shows, and movies, using the stylist and designers I'm connected with. The real estate investment company I share with my husband is so we create a legacy of wealth that we pass on to our two sons.
How do you balance the many hats you wear? I have to have a schedule and assistants. I'm learning how to set time frames to do certain things and delegate things that I personally don't need to oversee. A few big things I'm doing is letting the phone ring more and follow up on text messages later. Every call and text is not urgent.
You've worked with so many studios and on acclaimed shows such as Black-ish and Insecure. What's the most rewarding part about your many years working in Hollywood? My own personal growth. It set the stage for me being an entrepreneur. It's allowed my to see that hard work pays off. Doing what you love is the most rewarding; most people I've worked with from the actors and crew are doing what they love.
You were a commencement speaker at FIDM Graduation earlier this year. What did that experience mean to you and what advice did you share? It was amazing. I felt honored that FIDM reached out to me. I shared that, "Now that you are an alumni, get involved with the many Alumni Chapters offered all over the world." It really makes a difference when you stay connected.
How did FIDM help prepare you for your various careers, from visuals to retail? The biggest would be my internship with the Macy's Men’s Store at The Beverly Center. I was a part of the visual team who worked in the store to prepare for it's grand opening. Also, our classroom projects and the knowledge shared by my teachers and Career Center Staff.
Learn more about Tashiba Jones-Wilson at tashibaglam.com and on Instagram @tashiba.glam.
Categories: Visual Communication Alumni
