Introducing Taylor Hawkins—a model and content creator with a passion for storytelling, both in front of and behind the camera. With a focus on fashion, Taylor’s content showcases her unique eye for editing, styling, and photography. She endeavors to inspire others through her authentic self-expression and transparency about her journey along the way.
Born in Philadelphia and raised in South Jersey, Taylor Hawkins moved to New York after graduating from Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s in Public Policy and Africana Studies. Since then, Taylor has worked with Black-owned brands like Danessa Myricks Beauty and Fashion Fair Cosmetics, appearing in Sephora stores nationwide. She’s also graced the cover of CRWN Magazine, walked several runways—including Sergio Hudson, Studio 189, Alliette, and House of Aama, and co-directed a project featured in Vogue Italia shot by Sydney Claire. In addition to these achievements, Taylor has also created content with brands like H&M, Marc Jacobs, and Fenty Beauty. Her recent creative endeavors include founding BRWNSTU, a workshop centered on networking and collaboration, and taking the lead next to Burna Boy in his latest video.
You can check out more of Taylor Hawkins’ work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.
What is the first creative project you remember?
I was about 13 years old when my mom enrolled me in TLC, which was essentially a modeling bootcamp with a heavy emphasis on charm. They stressed that models should also be role models, and it felt like a real sisterhood. The first creative project I remember was doing a fashion show in the church basement where the camp would sometimes take place. We each brought a suitcase full of pieces and decked ourselves out!
That show is really a core memory for me, because I remember experiencing tunnel vision—all I saw was the light at the end of our makeshift runway; everything else was just shadows, or figures. That project also influenced how I create. I‘ve always had to have hands in the creative direction; I couldn’t just model, I had to style myself, scout the location, create the moodboard, etc. That one moment showed me that I could take nothing, and make it into something. And for years to come, I would do just that to build my portfolio.
Describe your aesthetic in 3 words.
Provocative. Eclectic. Regal.
What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?
Recently, I collaborated with a really good friend of mine, Kwami Lee, on a creative photo workshop. BRWNSTU is the first workshop I’ve done, since 2018. The purpose of BRWNSTU is to give creatives a chance to be their own muse, while networking with other creatives in the fashion, art, and entertainment industries. This collaboration was really fulfilling for me, because I was able to curate and manage a space that 15-year-old me really needed when she first got into the industry. I’ve always seen the value in networking across, and that day reminded me of the importance of that.
Do you think creativity is something you’re born with, or something you’re taught?
I think you’re born with creativity, but you are taught how to hone in on it. For some people that looks like painting, for others it’s writing. At one point in my life it was posing, now it’s also curating. We all have creativity that we’re born with. It’s just a matter of teaching yourself how you can best utilize it.
What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?
1. DELEGATE. Let people do their jobs. Just like you, they enjoy creating! Stop feeling like a nuisance for needing help.
2. Every journey is full of pivots or “stepping stones”. Don’t diminish your journey, because it got you into the rooms you are present in now. Success reminds us who we are, but stepping stones make us who we are.
How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?
I cultivate strong relationships with clients through presence. Whether it means having amazing energy and positivity on set, or maintaining a strong social media presence through personality-filled posts. There are so many amazingly talented creatives to choose from when building a team, however, your presence and how you make others feel plays a big role in whether or not a client will bring you back.
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