#YemziGirl Interview

1. Hey Shakaila, please introduce yourself (including your age if you feel comfortable)

My name is Shakaila Forbes-Bell, I’m 23 years old born and raised in London. I am a PR & Marketing manager at a menswear brand. I have an undergraduate degree in Psychology from University College London and a one of the first people in the world to earn a Master’s degree in Psychology for Fashion Professionals from University of the Arts London. I am the founder and editor-in-chief of the blog Psychologyoffashion.co.uk

2. Tell us about the dream you are pursuing...

It is my dream and goal to make my blog The Psychology of fashion the leading platform for news and research into Fashion Psychology. The blog has garnered a lot of attention in just a few months so I’m excited to see where I can take it. I have also written pieces about Fashion Psychology for All Walks Beyond the Catwalk and i-D and I hope to add more publications to my résumé soon!

3. Apart from following your dreams how do you stay fulfilled?

When I’m not working, or writing for Psychologyoffashion.co.uk I stay fulfilled with the help of my creative outlets which include attending dance classes as well as designing clothes and accessories. Frequenting the gym, praying, hanging out with friends/family and binge watching TV shows (my current obsession is Homeland!) are also things that keep me fulfilled because they help me to relax, stay balanced and stay grounded.

4. 3 things you love most about where you live?

I love the diversity of London! You get to meet and learn from people who have such a rich and cultured background. You can learn so much from just one interaction because everyone has a vastly different worldview.

I love all the amazing events that happen in London every week. Some of the great events I visited last year included the Black Women’s Conference, the Unmasked Women exhibition and the Fashion-Bytes panel discussion. It’s one of my New Year’s Resolutions to attend more events as you get to network with some seriously talent individuals.

I live on the outskirts of London so I love the fact that in the space of a 30-minute train journey I can leave my quiet, cosy and super friendly neighbourhood and enter the hustle-bustle and sometimes glamour of central London. It’s the best of both worlds.

5. What makes you a #YemziGirl?

I love to stay abreast with the latest fashion trends however I would never adopt a trend that doesn’t suit my personal aesthetic or my body type. So, I guess my ability to be “trend conscious but not trend led” makes me a #YemziGirl.

6. Do you have a favourite Yemzi piece?

I loved your profile on Sarah Sheppard her passion and her grind is so inspiring.

7. Are you more of a plain or printed type of girl?

I can’t decide. I am a fan of prints but they must be in the right places. I’m a curvy girl so I need to make sure that the prints I choose compliment instead of overpower my shape. I’m a fan of co-ordinating plain block colours as I think it makes a strong statement.

8. What's your star sign and does it reflect anything about you?

I’m a Taurus. I couldn’t really say if it reflects my personality because I remember having a Psychology lecture where they taught us about cold reading and how horoscopes are broad enough where people read it and think ‘omg that’s so me’ when in actuality, almost anyone could relate to it.

9. Top 3 well-being tips?

• 1. Meditate: I try to find 10 minutes a day to practice mindfulness with my Headspace app. I have published a piece on my blog about the amazing benefits of mindfulness, it really helps you to stay in the moment and stop worry about things outside of your control, I highly recommend it.

• 2. Drink Water: Healthy Body, Healthy Skin, Healthy Mind

• 3. Do not be intimidated: Starting something new can be scary. It’s even more scary when you’re doing something like blogging which is so saturated right now. I used to worry about how I would stand out from the crowd until I realised that I was focusing on the wrong things. I now focus on producing informative content that I enjoy creating because when you like something it shows and someone somewhere will like it too.

10. And finally, what's your favourite quote?

“When they go low, we go high” – Michele Obama

Stay connectee to Shakaila here:

Blog: Psychologyoffashion.co.uk

Instagram: @psychologyoffashion

Twitter: @psychoffash

Facebook: The Psychology of Fashion