Jason Bolden

Last updated

Jason Bolden (born February 27, 1982) is an American entrepreneur, creative director and fashion stylist. Bolden is a co-founder of JSN Studio, along with his husband, interior designer Adair Curtis. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Education and early career

At age 18, Bolden moved from St. Louis to Chicago to study pre-med at Northwestern University with the goal of becoming an OBGYN. Bolden transferred to Art Institute of Chicago and got a job at a Cynthia Rowley retail store, which solidified his love of clothes. He went on to work for Nicole Miller, Louis Vuitton, Chloé, Gucci, and Oscar de la Renta, where he built his wealthy client base. [4] [5] [6]

After graduating, Bolden moved to New York City and co-founded vintage clothing store, The Garment Room, in SoHo. Calvin Klein, Akris and Ralph Lauren visited Bolden's store to gain inspiration for their new collections. [6] [5] [7]

Career as celebrity stylist

In 2011, Gabrielle Union encouraged Bolden to style her for an Art Basel event. In the early 2010s, Taraji P. Henson informed Bolden she was about to become really popular and thus, Bolden would become in demand as her stylist. This gave Bolden the confidence to launch his full time styling career. [8] [9] [10]

In 2013, Bolden designed a shoe collection in collaboration with Brazilian brand Schutz. [11] [12]

In 2015, Bolden was hired by Rihanna's beauty and stylist agency, Fr8me. [13] In 2016, Bolden released a line of sunglasses under the JSN Studio brand name. [14] [15] [16]

In 2021, Bolden and designer Zac Posen headlined a virtual training program aimed at engaging and empowering diverse youth looking to enter the fashion business. The program was sponsored by New York Fashion Week. [17]

For the 95th annual Academy Awards, Bolden styled Michael B. Jordan, Vanessa Hudgens, and Jay Ellis for the official ceremony, and Jordan, Hudgens, Yara Shahidi, Dwyane Wade, Sabrina Carpenter, DeWanda Wise, and Trevor Noah for the after parties. Bolden began planning the outfits for the events in February 2023. The ceremony and parties took place on March 12, 2023. Bolden's signature of casual luxury was highlighted in all clients' outfits. [18] [19]

Bolden typically does only one or two fittings with clients, within a week's time of an event. He is known for selecting jewelry for looks on the same day an event takes place. [18]

Political views

In 2020, Bolden called out French luxury brands Celine and Yves Saint Laurent for performative solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, after Bolden and other Black stylists, celebrities, and models faced discrimination from the brands. [20] [21] Bolden is a board member of the Black Fashion and Beauty Council, created to support Black creatives navigating the industry. [22] [23]

In 2021, Booth Moore wrote an article in Women's Wear Daily , criticizing the lack of garments showcased by Black designers at the Golden Globe Awards. [24] Bolden and celebrity stylist Law Roach responded by explaining there's gatekeeping that Black stylists have to overcome in order to have access to certain brands and garments. [25] Roach and Bolden questioned Moore’s logic of expecting Black stylists to correct industry wrongs that were purposely created to oppress Black artists and businesspeople. They stated the responsibility should be on wealthy white and non-Black artists and businesspeople to change the dynamics of the industry. [26]

Public image

In 2012, Bolden's wedding was one of the first Black gay weddings to be broadcast on network television during an episode of VH1's La La's Full Court Life. [27] [28] Bolden is a reoccurring judge on Netflix's Next in Fashion . [29] [30] [31]

In August 2019, Netflix released Styling Hollywood, [32] a show about Bolden's relationship and business with husband and interior designer, Adair Curtis. [28] [33] The show broke barriers, being one of the first television shows to highlight a Black gay married couple. [34] [35] [36] The series spotlighted both successful Black men in the traditionally white-dominated fields of luxury fashion and interior design. [37] [38] In 2022, Bolden and Curtis were honored by Family Equality with the Visibility Award at LA Impact: A Night of Heroes. [39]

Personal life

Bolden's family has always supported his gay identity. Bolden has been outspoken about his positive experience growing up in order to challenge the stereotype of homophobia in Black families. [40] [41] [42]

In 2012, Bolden married interior designer, Adair Curtis. [43] [44]

In 2021, their son, Arrow Fox, was born. [45] [46] [47]

Bolden is an art collector. In 2021, he made a video about his personal collection for Sotheby's. The collection initially included Hermès bags and art pieces by Joan Mitchell, Keith Haring, and Picasso. [48] Bolden cites internalized anti-Blackness for the initial whiteness of his collection. Aryn Drake-Lee opened Bolden up to the significance of Black art and artists, which inspired Bolden to collect only artists of color going forward. Bolden's collection now includes pieces from Kehinde Wiley and Kwame Brathwaite. Bolden is a sneakerhead. [49]

Bolden is Zaya Wade's godfather. [50] When she came out as transgender at age 8, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union-Wade called friends, Bolden and Curtis, to ask for advice on how to support their daughter. [51]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabrielle Union</span> American actress (born 1972)

Gabrielle Monique Union-Wade is an American actress. Her career began in the 1990s, when she made dozens of appearances on television sitcoms, prior to landing supporting roles in 1999 teen films She's All That and 10 Things I Hate About You. She rose to greater prominence the following year, after she landed her breakthrough role in the teen film Bring It On.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kadeem Hardison</span> American actor (born 1965)

Kadeem Hardison is an American actor. The son of fashion model Bethann Hardison, he rose to prominence after landing the role of Dwayne Wayne on the television series A Different World, a spin-off of the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show. He is also known for playing Craig Cooper, the title character's father, in the Disney Channel series K.C. Undercover. Hardison has also appeared in the first season of the Showtime comedy Black Monday and starred as Bowser in the Netflix series Teenage Bounty Hunters.

Marcellas Reynolds is an American actor, author, documentarian, and television host. His notable television appearances include GMA3, Access Hollywood, E! Live from the Red Carpet, The Bold and the Beautiful, Supreme Models, and Yes, Dear. Reynolds began his television career in 2002 on CBS's hit television series Big Brother season three, becoming the first openly gay black man cast on a major network reality series. His writing has appeared in Chicago magazine, Essence, The Guardian, and L.A. Style Magazine. Reynolds is the author of Supreme Models: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Fashion and Supreme Actresses: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Hollywood, Supreme Sirens: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Music, and the executive producer of Supreme Models, the documentary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachel Zoe</span> American fashion stylist

Rachel Zoe Rosenzweig is an American fashion designer, businesswoman and author who rose to prominence as a celebrity wardrobe stylist. She has been credited with the creation of "the boho-meets-rock chic look that came to define a new breed of Hollywood ‘it’-girls who were as adept at setting trends as they were at causing trouble" in the mid-2000s. Describing her signature look to Vogue magazine, Zoe said: "It's very 60s to 70s glamour. It's Mod meets Grecian. A lot of gold and a lot of bronze, shimmer and glamour, but relaxed glamour, very unstructured, bold accessories." Zoe's clients as a stylist have included Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson, Kate Beckinsale, Debra Messing, Demi Moore, Liv Tyler, Joy Bryant, Molly Sims, Beau Garett, Eva Mendes, Paula Patton, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lawrence, Miley Cyrus, and Pauly Shore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wardrobe stylist</span> Someone who selects the clothing for publications or public appearances

A wardrobe stylist, also fashion stylist, is a consultant who selects the clothing for published editorial features, print or television advertising campaigns, music videos, concert performances, and any public appearances made by celebrities, models or other public figures. Stylists are often part of a larger creative team assembled by the client, collaborating with the fashion designer, photographer/director, hair stylist, and makeup artist to put together a particular look or theme for the specific project. A wardrobe stylist can also be referred to as a fashion stylist, fashion editor, or celebrity stylist. According to one view, "Stylists are the people who push each celebrity to make the best dressed list," and assist with editorial photo shoots.

Derek Michael Warburton also known as Derek Fabulous, is an American media entrepreneur and celebrity fashion stylist. He attended college at Fashion Institute of Technology, in New York, New York. He is a two-time Icon Award winner, once in 2022, at the NEWYOU Beauty Awards, then in 2023 at the Fashion Group International Rising Star Awards in Miami.

Brad Michael Batory, known professionally as Indashio, is a fashion designer, TV personality, entrepreneur, humanitarian, and stylist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red carpet fashion</span> Outfits worn at major celebrity events

Red carpet fashion consists of outfits worn on the red carpet at high-profile gala celebrity events such as award ceremonies and film premieres. The clothes worn to award events such as the Oscars and the Golden Globes consistently receive intense worldwide media scrutiny, making their red carpets an international product placement area of great importance to fashion designers. Despite the publicity given to award ceremonies, other red-carpet events such as the Vogue-hosted Met Gala also have a significant impact on the fashion world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Goreski</span> Canadian television personality (born 1977)

Brad Goreski is a Canadian-American celebrity fashion stylist and television personality. In 2015, he joined Fashion Police as a co-host. Since 2021, he has been one of the regular judges on Canada's Drag Race.

Ashton Michael is an American fashion designer and celebrity wardrobe stylist based in Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natalia Fedner</span> American fashion designer and actress

Natalia Fedner is an American fashion designer, inventor and actress, best known for inventing a six-way stretch metal textile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cristina Ehrlich</span>

Cristina Ehrlich is an American fashion stylist. She has been listed as one of the 25 most powerful stylists by the Hollywood Reporter six times. Ehrlich was named "Celebrity Stylist of the Year" in 2012 at New York Fashion Week's Style Awards, received a Marie Claire Image Maker Award in 2017 and the DIFF Impact In Fashion Award in 2019.

Mary Alice Haney is an American fashion designer.

Styling Hollywood is a 2019 documentarian non-scripted fashion reality television series on Netflix created by Carlos King and starring celebrity stylist Jason Bolden and his husband, interior designer Adair Curtis through their JSN Studio.

Next in Fashion (NIF) is a reality show and fashion design competition series hosted by fashion designer Tan France and model Gigi Hadid. It follows designers from around the world as they compete for the chance to win $200,000 and debut a collection on luxury fashion retailer site Net-a-Porter.

Lawrence Roach is an American fashion stylist, best-known for his work with artists such as Zendaya, Céline Dion, and Anya Taylor-Joy. Roach served as a primary judge on the Max competition series Legendary (2020–2022). He announced his retirement from styling in 2023, dedicating himself to his creative relationship with Zendaya.

Zerina Akers is an American fashion stylist and costume designer. She is best known for her positions as Beyoncé's personal stylist, costume designer for the Emmy-winning 2020 musical film Black Is King, and founder of the e-commerce site "Black Owned Everything".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">June Ambrose</span> American costume designer and stylist

June Ambrose is an Antiguan-born American stylist, costume designer, author, creative director, influencer, and TV host. She is currently the creative director of women's basketball for Puma. Ambrose is best known for styling prominent hip hop and rhythm and blues artists in high fashion pieces and was one of the first designers to do so, most notably for artists such as Missy Elliott and Jay-Z in popular 1990s music videos. Ambrose was born in Antigua in 1971 and grew up in The Bronx. She attended Talent Unlimited High School and after graduation worked for a brief period in investment banking before interning at MCA Records where she began styling new artists. Ambrose has designed for over 200 music videos and was the costume designer for the 1998 film Belly and a stylist on The X Factor. She published her book, Effortless Style, in 2006 and in 2012 hosted her own reality television show on VH1. Ambrose was hired at Puma in 2020 and in December 2021 released her first fashion line, High Court, which is also the first-ever women's basketball clothing line released by the company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Christian Siriano gown of Billy Porter</span> Tuxedo dress worn by Billy Porter

American actor Billy Porter wore a tuxedo dress in black velvet designed by Christian Siriano on the red carpet of the 91st Academy Awards on February 24, 2019. At the time, Porter had recently come into public view for his breakout role in the FX television series Pose and had been receiving attention for his boundary-pushing red carpet attire during the 2018–19 film awards season. Following his appearance at the 76th Golden Globe Awards in a custom silver suit with fuchsia-lined cape, he was invited to host red carpet interviews at the upcoming Oscars pre-show. Porter approached Siriano and together they conceived the tuxedo gown.

Gabrielle Union: My Journey to 50 is an American two-part docuseries that premiered on BET+ on June 15, 2023.

References

  1. Quarles, Karen (2022-12-06). "JSN STUDIO Keeps Its Hollywood Clients Swathed in Style — at Home and on the Red Carpet". 1stDibs Introspective. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  2. "JSN Studio's Adair Curtis Kicks Off Designer Series at Boundary". Architectural Digest. 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  3. "Between The Sheets with Adair Curtis and Jason Bolden of JSN Studio". Flaneur: Change the Sheets. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  4. Nicolaou, Elena (21 January 2016). "Netflix's "Styling Hollywood" Is The New "Queer Eye," But With Celebrities". Refinery 29. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  5. 1 2 "How Jason Bolden Went from Retail Jobs to the Oscars Red Carpet". Out. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  6. 1 2 "Stylist spotlight: Jason Bolden, from pre-med to celebrity stylist". The Connector. 2021-10-29. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  7. "16 Black Fashion Influencers to Follow Now - Black Influencers Instagram Style". L'Officiel USA. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  8. "This New Netflix Series Shows What Really Goes Into Creating a Red-Carpet Moment". Glamour. 2019-08-30. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  9. Prant, Dara (15 June 2020). "Great Outfits In Fashion History: Gabrielle Union In Vintage Lanvin At Art Basel In 2011". Fashionista.
  10. Soo Hoo, Fawnia (20 February 2018). "How Jason Bolden Went From Studying Pre-med To Styling Taraji P. Henson, Yara Shahidi And Ava Duvernay". Fashionista.
  11. "Jason Bolden Brings The Stars Out To Launch His First Shoe Collection With Schutz (PHOTOS)". Global Grind. 2013-02-13. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  12. "Jason Bolden For Schutz Launch Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images". Getty. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  13. "Rihanna Launches Her Own Style and Beauty Agency". Complex. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  14. "2 Celebrity Stylist Jason Bolden Launches Sunglasses Line JSN; Taps Eniko Parrish for Campaign". Fashion Bomb Daily. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  15. "Oversized And In Charge: JSN Studio Sunnies For Every Girl". HelloBeautiful. 2016-06-29. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  16. Wong, Shavonne (2018-12-27). "How Nathalie Gordon Shot the JSN.Studio Sunglasses Campaign". Fstoppers. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  17. Gardner, Chris (2021-03-01). "Stylist Jason Bolden, Designer Zac Posen Lined Up for NYFW:NXT Virtual Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  18. 1 2 Allaire, Christian (2023-03-14). "How Top Stylist Jason Bolden Made 8 Stars Look "Expensive" on Oscars Night". Vogue. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  19. "Post Met: Let's Give Black Stylists Their Flowers". Grazia USA. 2021-09-17. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  20. Ginsberg, Merle. "Celebrity Stylist Jason Bolden Speaks Out About Racial Bias at Celine". Los Angeles Magazine.
  21. "Stylist Jason Bolden Calls Out Fashion Brands Celine and Saint Laurent for Lack of Diversity". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  22. "Law Roach, Lacy Redway, and Jason Rembert Launch Black Fashion and Beauty Collective". ELLE. 2020-06-23. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  23. "Jason Bolden Wants The Fashion Industry to Speak Up: "If You See Something, Say Something"". ELLE. 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  24. Moore, Booth (2021-03-01). "Moore From L.A.: Golden Globes Fashion Review — Where Were the Black Designers?". WWD. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  25. "'Styling in 2 different worlds': Black stylists open up about double standard on the red carpet". TODAY. 3 March 2021. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  26. Nasinde, Shama (2021-03-02). "Jason Bolden and Law Roach Speak Out on the Lack of Black Designers at the Golden Globes". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  27. "Lala Attends Same-Sex Wedding On 'Full Court Life' [VIDEO]". HelloBeautiful. 2013-02-22. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  28. 1 2 Tangcay, Jazz (2020-06-04). "'Styling Hollywood' Couple Jason Bolden and Adair Curtis on Their Courtship and Inspiring LGBTQ Youth". Variety. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  29. "'Next in Fashion' Season 2: Qaysean Williams' 'rushed' design leaves Jason Bolden disappointed". MEAWW. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  30. Finkel, Lena (2023-03-02). "'Next in Fashion' Season 2: A First Look at All the Incredible Guest Judges". Femestella. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  31. White, Brett (2020-01-31). "Netflix's 'Next in Fashion' Shows What Happens When a Guest Judge Revolts". Decider. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  32. "Why "Styling Hollywood" Is One of the Best Celebrity-Stylist Reality Shows". The New Yorker. 2019-08-30. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  33. "Exclusive: 'Styling Hollywoods Jason Bolden Breaks Down His Clients' 2019 Emmy Looks". Essence. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  34. "Netflix's 'Styling Hollywood' Is Not Only Good, It's Rare". Shondaland. 2019-09-18. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  35. "The Stars of "Styling Hollywood" on Love, Marriage, and Who They'd Never Work For". Logo TV. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  36. "Netflix's 'Styling Hollywood' with Jason Bolden and Adair Curtis Is a New Kind of Gay Love Story". Vice. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  37. "Stylist Spotlight: How Jason Bolden Continues to Push Boundaries". Vanity Fair. 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  38. Kaufman, David (2020-06-10). "Issa Rae, Kerry Washington, More Stars Rally Support for L.A.'s Black-Owned Businesses". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  39. "Family Equality | Powerhouse Designers & Netflix Stars Jason Bolden and Adair Curtis to be Honored with the Visibility Award at Family Equality's LA Impact Gala in October". Family Equality. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  40. King, C. (2019). Styling Hollywood. episode 4, Los Angeles, California; Netflix.
  41. Jones, Michal 'MJ' (2015-03-07). "Complicating the Stereotype of the Homophobic and Transphobic Black Community". Everyday Feminism. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  42. "How Jason Bolden Went from Retail Jobs to the Oscars Red Carpet". Out. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  43. Gardner, Chris (2022-07-29). "Stylist Jason Bolden, Interior Designer Adair Curtis Have Signed With Range Media Partners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  44. "MAZEL TOV! Adair Curtis & Celebrity Stylist Jason Bolden Get Married (PHOTOS)". Global Grind. 2012-08-22. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  45. "Styling Hollywood's Jason Bolden and Adair Curtis Welcome Baby Boy Arrow Fox: 'Already Obsessed'". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  46. "Jason Bolden and Adair Curtis on Fatherhood with Baby Arrow: 'All of Our Hopes and Dreams Manifested'". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  47. "Congratulations!: Celebrity Fashion Stylist, Jason Bolden and Adair Curtis Welcome A Baby Boy". BET. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  48. "Inside Jason Bolden and Adair Curtis's Closet and L.A. Home - Coveteur: Inside Closets, Fashion, Beauty, Health, and Travel". Coveteur. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  49. Why I Collect | Episode 3: Jason Bolden, Celebrity Stylist and Creative Director, Contemporary Art a , retrieved 2023-03-15
  50. "We Have Proof Zaya Wade Is A Fashion Icon In the Making". Grazia USA. 2021-06-02. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  51. "Dwyane Wade's Daughter Makes First Red Carpet Appearance as Zaya with Dad and Gabrielle Union". People. Retrieved 2023-03-15.