Meet Amber Graham of Creatively Tailored

My name is Amber Graham. I am the youngest of six. I grew up in Detroit, MI. After my mom passed my moms best friend took all six of my mothers children to raise when she had none of her own. Although I didn’t have the most expensive or most trendy outfits growing up I was always pushed to express my creativity. I would cut up old sheets and make them into pajamas sewing the fabric by hand. I’d take my sister’s hand me downs bleach, cut, or tie them to create something of my own. I’d sketch my designs in my journal and write a beautiful poem that related to how I was feeling and what inspired the design. This was my therapy to help cope with the emotions of losing a parent at a young age but it quickly turned into passion. Once my family noticed I wasn’t just a phase my Aunt (moms best friend) bought me a sewing machine. And so Creatively Tailored began. My Aunt thought it was best for me to move out of the city and that Houston presented better opportunities for me. So my junior year in high school I moved to Houston and attended Chavez High School. While in High school, I had to support my passion for fashion. What better way than to get a part time job at a clothing store styling clients? I would go to school and go to work after. Sleep was time wasted from me learning more, doing more, and growing more. My late brother & biggest supporter, Edwin Graham, made sure I took a step back to enjoy the life I was working so hard for.

On my birthday in 2013 I got to speak with him not knowing it would be my last. He told me how proud he was of me. How much he admired my ambition, passion, and the ability to juggle being a new mom and now manager of the clothing store I worked for and going to college. He made me promise that I would never stop being me and doing what I love. He told me to never stop smiling and being silly. To this day I have yet to break that promise. Some days are harder than others in the fashion industry but with patience and hard work your dreams will become your reality. I now am a Store Manager for TJX companies. I still never stop finding ways to perfect my craft as a fashion stylist and host events to sow into others dreams. I post inspirational and encouraging videos to help others go after what makes their heart smile as fashion makes mine. If my past has taught me anything it’s to invest in what you believe in and accept nothing mediocre. In all things give everything or nothing. And do all things with your heart. Creatively Tailored has successfully hosted several events such as vision board parties, fashion shows, and done charity work to give back to the community such as school supply drives and wardrobe makeovers for less fortunate families. I’ll never forget where I’ve come from, but I sure make love where God is taking me. My book “A Soul Loved” will be out November 2020 and I’m going to make it to New York fashion week as a fashion stylist one day!

Amber, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My name is Amber Graham. I am the youngest of six. I grew up in Detroit, MI. After my mom passed my moms best friend took all six of my mothers children to raise when she had none of her own. Although I didn’t have the most expensive or most trendy outfits growing up I was always pushed to express my creativity. I would cut up old sheets and make them into pajamas sewing the fabric by hand. I’d take my sister’s hand me downs bleach, cut, or tie them to create something of my own. I’d sketch my designs in my journal and write a beautiful poem that related to how I was feeling and what inspired the design. This was my therapy to help cope with the emotions of losing a parent at a young age but it quickly turned into passion. Once my family noticed I wasn’t just a phase my Aunt (moms best friend) bought me a sewing machine. And so Creatively Tailored began. My Aunt thought it was best for me to move out of the city and that Houston presented better opportunities for me. So my junior year in high school I moved to Houston and attended Chavez High School. While in High I had to support my passion for fashion. What better way than to get a part time job at a clothing store styling clients? I would go to school and go to work after. Sleep was time wasted from me learning more, doing more, and growing more. My late brother & biggest supporter, Edwin Graham, made sure I took a step back to enjoy the life I was working so hard for.

On my birthday in 2013 I got to speak with him not knowing it would be my last. He told me how proud he was of me. How much he admired my ambition, passion, and the ability to juggle being a new mom and now manager of the clothing store I worked for and going to college. He made me promise that I would never stop being me and doing what I love. He told me to never stop smiling and being silly. To this day I have yet to break that promise. Some days are harder than others in the fashion industry but with patience and hard work your dreams will become your reality. I now am a Store Manager for TJX companies. I still never stop finding ways to perfect my craft as a fashion stylist and host events to sow into others dreams. I post inspirational and encouraging videos to help others go after what makes their heart smile as fashion makes mine. If my past has taught me anything it’s to invest in what you believe in and accept nothing mediocre. In all things give everything or nothing. And do all things with your heart. Creatively Tailored has successfully hosted several events such as vision board parties, fashion shows, and done charity work to give back to the community such as school supply drives and wardrobe makeovers for less fortunate families. I’ll never forget where I’ve come from, but I sure make love where God is taking me. My book “A Soul Loved” will be out November 2020 and I’m going to make it to New York fashion week as a fashion stylist one day!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not. Some of my challenges include having a bigger heart than my bank account. At times when you have a big heart, you want to help everyone. You start doing more charity than actually paid clients because you see someone in need. But understanding you have to first put yourself in a position to do more has helped me.

Branding and social media networking is a struggle because I work full time as a manager to support my dreams & I’m a full time mom of 3 boys, and in order for your social media presence to be effective, you must be consistent. Of course, I have my regular clients who I style when they have events or seasonal wardrobe changes. I want to find ways to bring in new clientele.

Creatively Tailored is a business that specializes in image consulting and fashion styling. I believe we can style the world one wardrobe at a time. Our goal is to provide a look that builds confidence creatively in our clients as well as putting a smile on someone’s faces in the process. Some of my favorite events to do is coordinate and plan fashion shows for different designers. This gives us an opportunity to tell a story through fashion.

I’m most proud of the things we do behind the scenes in helping people who would never be able to afford a stylist or who don’t feel beautiful with the way they look or dress. Restoring that confidence and pouring positivity and creativity into them on a more personal level.

What sets us apart from the rest is simple. We do it because we love it and because we truly want to awaken the creativity in world one wardrobe at a time. We want them to feel amazing in the looks because it was tailored to fit their individual style and personality. First impressions are made before you’ve even said a word. So we help let your image do the talking for you.

Happiness is a success! Success is not one massive thing; it’s all the little wins combined. It’s truly the mindset. Of course, I have goals set for where I want to be, but as long as I’m moving forward, positively affecting someone’s life, have love in my home and heart, and never give up on my dreams, then I am successful. Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Graham.