The Haute Guide

• 2025 Met Gala Recap – The Art & Missed Opportunities of Black Dandyism

  Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide!  In this episode, I'm diving deep into the 2025 Met Gala, unpacking this year's compelling theme: "Superfine", inspired by Monica Miller's exploration of Black dandyism. Join me as I candidly break down the hits, misses, and everything in between on fashion's biggest night. Here's what's inside: My honest thoughts on who beautifully embodied the "Superfine" theme—including Janelle Monae’s stunning "time traveler" concept, Tracee Ellis Ross’s bold historical homage, and André 3000’s brilliant nod to traveling musicians. The styling missteps that left me scratching my head: Zendaya’s unexpected duplicate look and Megan Thee Stallion's disappointing Michael Kors dress. A personal glimpse into my own "Superfine" look for a Met Gala viewing party at the Ritz Carlton, complete with a custom floor-length durag, embracing Black dandyism with my unique twist. Reflections on how the fashion industry at large missed a prime opportunity to truly honor and elevate Black culture, creativity, and historical significance. Plus, I'm sharing a heartfelt update about my recent health journey, why I've been away from fashion events, and how this Met Gala reignited my passion and purpose. Key Moments: Best Dressed Spotlight: Janelle Monae, Tracee Ellis Ross, Tessa Thompson, Ava DuVernay, Kerry Washington. Critical Takeaways: Why Law Roach dropped the ball with Zendaya, and how Megan Thee Stallion and Coco Jones missed opportunities to solidify their personal brands. Personal Connection: The deeper meaning behind my own dandy-inspired look and how it marked my return to the fashion scene. Shoutouts + Special Mentions: Naheemah's Tracee Ellis Ross Deep Dive: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjyedJBM/  My current Met Gala Deep Dives & Personal Style Moments: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJUU8MLt6g0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJUi86Mp6a0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==  https://www.instagram.com/p/DJW5kIONvpA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==  https://www.instagram.com/p/DJcDocGNuUH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJXWgCvSzwX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==  https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjye8Apb/  https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjyeNesX/  🔗 Stay Connected: Subscribe to my YouTube! 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/@akbrownstl  Grab The Intro Into Fashion Workbook: https://www.akbrownstl.com/product/intro-into-fashion-pr-workbook/  Wanna be a guest on the show? Apply here: https://www.akbrownstl.com/be-a-gusest/  Want to be a 2025 client or mentee? Apply here: https://www.akbrownstl.com/2025-client-applications/  Follow me everywhere: @akbrownstl Website: www.akbrownstl.com Read Advisor. Magazine: www.advisormag.co 💬 Love the episode? Leave a review and tag me on Instagram with your biggest takeaway!

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  1:03:25
• 5 Years Fired and Flourishing: How I’m Teaching Y’all How to REALLY Start in Fashion (2025 Version)

  Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! Can y'all already believe it's been 5 years since I got fired?! That moment is what pivoted my journey in fashion into the brand you know today - so I'm using that as the catalyst for the 2025 version on how to get your start in fashion! ✨ Mentioned in This Episode: 🇨🇳 How China’s tariffs and luxury factory tea are shaking up the entire fashion game (and what that means for small brands and consumers) 💰 Why it’s time to lock your spending down, find your community, and prepare for the financial storms ahead 👜 The real deal behind buying dupes and sourcing overseas — and why it ain’t as easy (or drama-free) as TikTok makes it seem 🎭 The behind-the-scenes of the Met Gala, why most people ain’t invited, and why Wisdom Kaye deserves a damn seat at the table 🛣️ My 4 non-negotiables for starting your career in fashion in 2025: Research your market BEFORE you move Build a strong personal brand — yes, even for corporate life Get serious about networking online and in-person Give yourself grace, space, and TIME — real growth ain’t overnight Shoutouts + Special Mentions: Carlos and Milwaukee Fashion Week 🔥 Black Fashion STL and my student Kendal 💖 Shelby Ivey Christie — fashion historian GOAT, go follow her 🔗 Stay Connected: Subscribe to my YouTube! 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/@akbrownstl  Milwaukee Fashion Week Details: https://www.mkefw.com/  Grab The Intro Into Fashion Workbook: https://www.akbrownstl.com/product/intro-into-fashion-pr-workbook/  Wanna be a guest on the show? Apply here: https://www.akbrownstl.com/be-a-gusest/  Want to be a 2025 client or mentee? Apply here: https://www.akbrownstl.com/2025-client-applications/  Follow me everywhere: @akbrownstl Website: www.akbrownstl.com Read Advisor. Magazine: www.advisormag.co 💬 Love the episode? Leave a review and tag me on Instagram with your biggest takeaway!

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  48:33
• The Truth About Fashion Business Finances + A Conversation with Novo Platform CEO Michael Rangel

  Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! Today we’re diving deep into financial literacy for fashionpreneurs—a topic we often avoid but need to master. In this episode, I break down the financial struggles of running a fashion business, share my own experiences from starting out as a blogger to building multiple brands, and discuss the biggest financial mistakes fashion entrepreneurs make. PLUS, I have a special guest—Michael Rangel, Founder & CEO of Novo.Co, which is my business bank platform of choice. We discuss how fintech is changing the game for small business owners and how you can take control of your business finances. ✨ Mentioned in This Episode: 💻 Novo Platform – My go-to for small business banking. Sign up here: https://onboarding.novo.co/signup?referral_code=AlexandriaBrown1&first_name=Alexandria  🛍 Jance Chartae – E-commerce & boutique expert. Follow her for fashion biz tips! 💡 ChatGPT & AI – How I use AI to optimize business strategy 🎯 Your Homework: 📌 Audit your finances: Are you separating personal & business expenses? 📌 Research business banking options: If you don’t have a business bank, start with Novo 📌 Check your pricing strategy: Are you actually making a profit? 📌 Plan for the future: Look at your cash flow, taxes, and funding option 🔗 Stay Connected: 📲 Follow me on Instagram: @akbrownstl 🌐 Website: www.akbrownstl.com 📖 Read Advisor. Magazine: www.advisormag.co 💬 Love the episode? Leave a review and tag me on Instagram with your biggest takeaway! *Novo is a fintech company; not a bank. Deposit account services provided by Middlesex Federal Savings, F.A., Member FDIC. Physical debit cards issued by Middlesex Federal Savings or Patriot Bank, N.A., Member FDIC; virtual cards issued by Patriot Bank, pursuant to licenses from Mastercard® International Incorporated. Mastercard can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

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  1:18:28
• Branding & Social Media Strategy for Fashionpreneurs Pt. 1

  Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! After a brief hiatus (sorry yall!), I’m back with an insightful episode about branding, social media strategy, and how to refine your brand for success. I break down my own brand refresh process, how I’m reworking my content strategy, and how you can do the same for your fashion business, whether you're an entrepreneur, creative, or industry professional. 🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why I took a break and what I’ve been working on My personal branding overhaul and why it’s necessary for 2025 The role of social media in business growth and how I’m approaching my strategy How to use ChatGPT and AI for branding and content planning Breaking down audience personas and why knowing your audience is key My content pillars and how they shape my strategy Homework: Steps to analyze your brand, define your audience, and track your content strategy 🔑 Key Takeaways: ✅ A deep dive into branding and refining your social media strategy ✅ The importance of visuals and working with a branding expert (shoutout to Joan Fisher!) ✅ Using ChatGPT for content creation and branding insights ✅ Creating an audience persona to tailor your content and engagement strategies ✅ A step-by-step approach to developing a strong brand and content strategy 📝 Homework Assignment: Follow Joan Fisher (Saint Louis) – An absolute visual powerhouse! If you're in St. Louis or beyond, I highly recommend working with her for branding & editorial photography. You can book her whether you’re local or willing to fly her out! Follow Joan & connect: https://www.instagram.com/joan_fisher/  Identify your brand pillars Define your audience personas and where they show up online Analyze your social media stats (followers, engagement, CTRs, etc.) Start building out your content strategy ✨ Upcoming Episodes: 🔜 Special guest interview with Michael Rangel, CEO of Novo Bank! We’ll be discussing financial strategies for fashion entrepreneurs—don’t miss it! (If you want to go ahead and apply for an account, you can do so here!: https://onboarding.novo.co/signup?referral_code=AlexandriaBrown1&first_name=Alexandria) 🔗 Stay Connected: 📲 Follow me on Instagram: @akbrownstl 🌐 Website: www.akbrownstl.com 📖 Read Advisor. Magazine: www.advisormag.co 💬 Love the episode? Leave a review and tag me on Instagram with your biggest takeaway!

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  40:25
• I Majored In My Hobby of Fashion & Made It Work, Can You Do The Same?

  Welcome to episode 2 of the second season of The Haute Guide! If I was ever to do a TedTalk - it would be on this topic. Remember when I did the episode on if fashion school is a scam? Well with the continous conversation regarding education as a whole, and if majoring in a "passion" or a hobby is the reason why many aren't finding success, I wanted to give my perspective as someone who technically has done that and found some sort of success. Why You Should Listen: You're a student entering college who's interested in fashion You're a current fashion student who's looking on how to use their degree after college You're a fashion education professional like myself! Make sure to subscribe, follow, share - and leave us a review on whereever you listen to The Haute Guide. Host Bio: AK Brown - The Fashion Connector is a multi-talented fashion expert and thought leader dedicated to empowering fashion creatives, entrepreneurs, and brands. With over a decade of experience in the industry, AK provides invaluable insights and services through her coaching programs, intensives, and various resources. She is passionate about helping others find their unique path in the fashion world, offering guidance on everything from styling to branding. Contact Information: For questions, comments, or to suggest topics, email me at [email protected] and follow me below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akbrownstl  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akbrownstl/  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@akbrownstl  The Akademy: https://www.facebook.com/theakademy.co  The Fashion Firm.: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557579432872  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefashionfirm.co/  Advisor.: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/advisor.mg  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advisor.mag/  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@advisormag  Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-advised/id1 Fashio Career & Educational Resources: Where to Find Fashion Jobs: https://www.akbrownstl.com/over-10-of-the-best-places-to-find-fashion-jobs/  https://advisormag.co/careers/  Additional Fashion Certifications: https://www.akbrownstl.com/5-online-fashion-certificates-to-help-boost-your-career/  My IG Reels on Fashion Jobs & Education: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9GPI7pJXId/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7Z6CPLpsVS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9fWhEcsD5l/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/reel/C64qCavM62v/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6mOq48pP3o/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 

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  1:04:13

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