Solange Franklin Reed facts for kids

Solange Franklin Reed is an American fashion stylist. She helps people choose clothes and create amazing looks. Since 2015, she has worked on her own. Her work includes styling for magazines, fashion shows, and famous people. In 2019, Solange was named one of the "New Wave: Creatives" at the important Fashion Awards. This award celebrates new and exciting talent in the fashion world.

Early Life and Learning

Solange Franklin was born in Des Moines, Iowa. Her parents were both doctors. From a young age, Solange loved fashion. She often read fashion magazines like Honey. She looked up to artists like Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, and Aaliyah for their cool styles. Solange also enjoyed finding unique clothes at thrift stores. She even borrowed outfits from her older sister's closet. Reading fashion blogs helped her think about a career in the fashion industry.

Solange went to Mount Holyoke College. At first, she planned to study medicine. But she later created her own major. This new major focused on race, gender, and health. She then changed her studies to African American studies. While in college, she gained experience. She interned in the marketing department at Teen Vogue magazine.

Fashion Career

Solange Franklin Reed started her fashion journey with an internship at Essence magazine. After that, she got a paid job at Teen Vogue. As she gained more experience, she began working as a freelance assistant. This meant she helped different stylists on various projects. For more than four years, Solange was the main assistant to fashion editor Giovanna Battaglia. Solange sees Giovanna as a very important teacher and guide. Solange also worked as a special editor for Paper magazine.

Since 2015, Solange Franklin Reed has been an independent stylist. This means she runs her own business. Her work includes styling for magazine photoshoots. She also styles for fashion shows, advertisements, and celebrities. Solange is passionate about supporting people who are often overlooked. This includes Black creatives, women, and people with different body types.

Solange has worked with many famous clients. These include Serena Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Solange Knowles, Tracee Ellis Ross, Zazie Beetz, and Kerry Washington. Her styling work has been featured in publications like Pause and Editorialist. In late 2023 and early 2024, she styled actresses for the cover of Essence magazine's December/January issue. She also styled Denée Benton and Victoria Monét.

Other Projects

Solange Franklin Reed is also involved in other important work. She was a speaker at the 2017 Women's March in New York City. This event supported women's rights. After styling the first group of homeless Girl Scouts for Teen Vogue, Solange became a troop leader herself. She helps guide young Girl Scouts.

Her Creative Style

Solange Franklin Reed finds inspiration from artists like Eartha Kitt and Simone Leigh. She describes her work as "tactile." This means she likes to feel and work with fabrics and clothes. She also aims to be "bold" and "expansive" in her styling. Solange encourages her clients to try new things with their style. She suggests they push their fashion choices by just a little bit.

Personal Life

Solange married journalist Brian Reed in October 2015. Brian is known for hosting the podcast S-Town. They met through a friend. The couple decided to legally change their last name to "Franklin Reed." They went to court to make sure they could do this without adding a hyphen or combining their names.

Solange and Brian live in Brooklyn, New York. They have one child, who was born in 2021.

Awards and Recognition

• 2019 – The Fashion Awards, The New Wave: Creatives, British Fashion Council