I have to admit that I feel so truly blessed to know so many celebrity insiders that have embraced my work and see my vision for Young, Hip and Chic. I have talked with top stylist of celebrities like Misa Hylton-Brimm to fashion forward designers like Jeantrix, and I was very excited when I got word that Mr. Anthony Anderson, superman celebrity fashion stylist to the stars, and Philly native came to Philly from LA, in late March, to chat with me about his life as a stylist and the moves that he is making in his hometown that will make the world of fashion bounce from the city that never sleeps to the city that dresses to kill when moving on their feet.

Not sure who Anthony Henderson is, well let me give you the run down: Anthony is a fashion correspondent for the Philadelphia Daily News.

• He was featured in the 2003 Holiday Issue of Philadelphia In Style Magazine and MTV’s “My Super Sweet 16”.

• Anthony has been on several movie and television sets as a Costume Designer, Wardrobe Stylist, and Fashion Consultant.

• He has dressed celebrities such as, Eve (Grammy Winning Rapper), Esther Rolle, Sheryl Lee-Ralph (The Original “Dream Girl”, Samantha Marq S.C. Johnson heiress), and Brooke Hogan (Hulk Hogan’s daughter), Taraji P. Henson (Actress), Sanaa Lathan (Actress), and many more.

Need I say more???

I met up with Anthony at Love Park in Center City, Philadelphia, and this is what he had to say about his life as a fashionisto!

YHC: What is fashion to you?

ANTHONY: Fashion to me is an avenue for people to express themselves in a way that makes them feel great. It is an outward expression of how you feel on the outside. It is in the patterns, textures, and colors that people wear. I like to be sure that the people that I dress feel strong and confident in what they are wearing. If they are feeling depressed, it is my job to find the right textures and colors to lift their spirits. It pleases me to see my work not only make people look god but feel good.

Fashion is a vehicle to express who I am and enhance the way that people feel about who they are. I have a motto, “It is fashionable to be charitable.” I believe in this motto because you have to give in order to get and giving makes you feel good and look great. I have helped raise thousands of dollars to benefit the Career Wardrobe Organization, which is an organization that I hold dear to me. It is an organization that helps women obtain clothing that they will need in order to find work. It makes me feel great knowing that I have played a part in making a difference for someone else, and nothing else could be more fashionable.

YHC: When did you get into fashion?

ANTHONY: It’s a very funny story but I will make it short. I assisted in a movie titled, “Train Ride” as a wardrobe stylist. The movie featured Wood Harris, Mc Lyte and the late and great Esther Rolle. I got a lot of hands on experience and I really liked the work that I did and so did the staff.

I think it is very important to have a great reputation in the fashion industry… any industry that you enter. When you have a good reputation, people want to work with you time and again. I believe that you should be on time and ready to work… be professional at all times and watch the results of all your diligent and professional work.

YHC: When did you know that you had the “fashion bug”?

ANTHONY: I never really knew that I had the “fashion bug”. I was always motivated by the compliments that I got about my work and the comments that people made about the people that I styled.

I also do mentoring and when I see the success of the people that I mentor, and I hear all that they have learned from what I have shared with them then I am able to embrace the idea that I have an awesome talent. I have been in the fashion business for 16 years and I attribute my success to my relationship with God, family, and friends.

YHC: Do you think that styling is a spiritual art?

ANTHONY: Yes! It helps you mentally because when you feel good you think positively. It is very spiritual because you create a new attitude when you are thinking positively and your attitude towards life changes for the better. Fashion is very artistic and it is very spiritual because people create styles and looks based on feelings and visions that they have.

When I style someone, I like to know what that person is feeling and the vision that they have for themselves. Once I have an idea of what they want, then I give them my eyes and my hands so that the creation is as close to perfection that it can be. If I see them smile, and they tell me that they like what they see, then I know that I have not only done my job, but I have served my spiritual purpose which is to give back.

YHC: What would you change about young women and their perception of fashion?

ANTHONY: Well, let me start with the fact that most young women between the ages of 12-17 years old do not wear clothing that is age-appropriate and that is unfortunate. They believe that they are suppose to wear what they see their favorite celebrity wear and that is not what fashion is all about.

Fashion is about fantasy and illusion. When we see Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga, they are mostly wearing costumes in order to create an illusion. It is definitely okay to be inspired by what they wear but not to put on the whole gambit! I think that young women should definitely take out the time to learn the difference between high fashion, costuming and all other types of fashion. If young women have a better understanding of fashion, then they would understand how to dress more appropriately.

YHC: What are some of the best ways to dress young, hip and chic while being affordable?

ANTHONY: There are a lot of high-end designers that are now selling their clothing in places like Target and Wal-mart and the clothing is good quality and affordable. Fashion is not about how much you spend but how you wear it and when you wear it.

Vintage shops and thrift stores are great if you have a good eye, but you have to know what you are looking for and the look that you are trying to obtain. Be careful of the prices that you see at the thrift and vintage shops because some places can be a little over-priced.

YHC: What is one thing that you want to be sure that our fashionistas get out of reading this convo?

ANTHONY: Style is everyday and fashion is for a lifetime.

Anthony was very enlightening and a pleasure to speak with. If you would like to learn more about Anthony, visit: www.AnthonyHenderson.net

An event to attend day after day after day…17 Days of Fashion!!!

Hey Fashion Fanatics!

The 17 Days of Fashion event is an event that goes down in Philadelphia, PA and it serves the community abroad. It was created by the founding members and organizers of The Philadelphia Fashion Consortium (PFC). Its purpose is to support and celebrate Philadelphia’s endless talent in the fashion industry. 17…Days of Fashion will promote over 21 fashion shows taking place over 17 wonderful days.

Each of the shows during this extravaganza are being produced by local Philadelphia fashion designers, models, industry pioneers, trendsetters, rising and aspiring newcomers; and industry stakeholders in the Delaware Valley.

Be sure to visit www.17daysoffashion.com for more info and dates!!!