Reader of the Week: LaLah Williams

This fashion stylist from Dallas makes getting dressed look easy, too easy.

By Kirsten Kilponen
Published: February 16th, 2009 | 12:00am

LaShantell Williams, better known as “LaLah”, could dress you in a paper bag and still make you look good. She spent her childhood in hot Houma, Louisiana cutting up her mother’s curtains for doll clothes and playing dress up, but she left that child’s play behind for bigger, better things in the “Big D”. With inspiration coming from Andy Warhol, Grace Jones, magazines, and movies, it’s no wonder Miss Williams can tackle any fashion shoot. She coordinates runway shows, too. Oh, and did I mention, she’s only nineteen?

How did you get the nickname “LaLah”?

I originally got the nickname from my kindergarten teacher who said my name was too long. People called me that through junior high and high school, but now I sometimes call myself “LaLah Miss.”

Who and what are your biggest fashion inspirations, past and present?

At a very young age I can remember cutting up my mother’s curtains to make doll clothes, drawing all of the time, reading magazines, and playing dress up. I grew up around my brothers, which balanced out my femininity. Some of my biggest inspiration comes from icons like Andy Warhol, Pam Grier, Twiggy, and Grace Jones. I also like the Chippettes – they are the cutest things.

What’s it like putting on a show for Fashion HP?

Fashion HP is an event firm that specializes in fashion shows in Dallas. Let me tell you, it's overwhelming, and exhausting. It's a lot of work. We do most of the coordination, and fittings the same day, which is annoying sometimes, but we have to get the job done.

You’re also fashion stylist. Is it hard to not dress people like yourself?

As a fashion stylist you must be able to make people look trendy and fashionable without changing the individual's character. When styling someone they must feel fabulous and alive no matter what it is they are wearing, whether it's a Betsy Johnson dress or a garbage bag! Sometimes I find myself wanting to dress people in my style, but to avoid that I stay updated by reading fashion magazines, watching movies, listening to music, and viewing artwork to come up with some inspiring ideas.

What’s the concept of your blog, Fashion Speaks?

The general idea of the blog is to get people to understand that fashion has its own voice and can be used in different forms of expression. Fashion should be fun, and easy. Some people make fashion so hard, but it’s not.

How do you see yourself in the not too distant future?

My goal is to be really successful as a stylist. I want to kill stereotypes, and show people it’s possible. I would really like to work with celebrities as a freelance stylist working for music videos, movies, magazines, etc. If I could style a celebrity it would have to be, Keyshia Cole, Rihanna, Kelis, or Kelly Rowland. I just love their style.

Any last words for our readers?

Be assertive, know what you want, do whatever it takes to get it, and stay true to who you are!

www.fashionspeaks.typepad.com/fashion_speaks

www.myfashionhp.com