Carolyn Gray

Name: Carolyn Gray

Age: 30 and over group! Leave me alone!

Home: Brooklyn, but Baltimore birthed me!

Occupation: Owner of CBD Brand Noirebud, Owner of Shopaholics Revenge, NYS Real Estate Agent, and Marketing Director. (In a nutshell HUSTLER!)

QD: Well first Happy Birthday Virgo!! It's our month! Thank you for being a feature! Lets get into some Q & A!

Carolyn: Amazing! I'm excited!

QD: Perfect! So lets start with fashion pet peeves. I know we both come from retail so the list could get long , but what would you say are some of your biggest pet peeves when it comes to style/fashion?

Carolyn: I have a few and these are strictly my opinion and things I would never do, starting with when people wear ill-fitting clothing that doesn't enhance their greatness (i.e too big or too tight). Next would be big logos on clothes/accessories. I believe folks love to wear them because they spell out the designers name and not because they truly connect to the style of the piece. That's so tacky to me. Next would be when people do not know how to spell or pronounce the name of the designer they are shopping for, even more so when they refuse to ASK someoneto help them pronounce it! What's wrong with learning something new or asking for help? Next on the list is when someone has on head to toe designer but they smell like trash! Wash your butt! That's nasty and classless. Dirty or unkept nails, and lastly...these lacefronts people wear and we can SEE the fron of the lace! That's so uncomfortable to deal with...

QD: I knew there would be a list! I feel you on so many of these. Especially the pronoucing of designer names! Ladies and Gentleman if you're going to shop for these pieces please just ask someone if you're not sure you're saying it right! It's less awkward for everyone, trust me! Ok Carolyn lets get into question 2. What would you say to young girls growing up in the age of social media, about fashion , confidence and personal style?

Carolyn: I'd say ask yourself why do you like something? Do you truly connect to it? Does it scream your personality on the inside? Does it make you feel good about being you and only you? Style is expression of your soul, and that can be different things given the day or even the weather. Just because an influencer says something is amazing does not mean that you have to adopt it or jump on that bandwagon. If it makes you feel good, if it amplifies your soul...go for it! If you don't know what your soul is saying then disconnect from distractions and find it without judging yourself. We've all been there.

QD: I love those points, thats very valid advice. What would you say is the best style advice you've ever gotten?

Carolyn: "As long as you have a bad ass shoe and jacket, everything else doesn't matter" oh and, "Never leave the house without filling in your eyebrows"

QD: Noted! Again valid points lol. Personally for me it's earrings. I can leave the house completely bare faced, sweats and all that but without earrings in I feel naked. So lets keep going , I'm loving your answers.

What would you say is your favorite/most cherished piece in your closet right now and why?

Carolyn: I just recently purchased my 1st Chanel bag, and it's not a bag I've seen on anyone else... yet. The entire experience from purchase to unboxing at home to wearing it for the 1st time was such a coming to womanhood moment for me. In the past with buying other bags I've had sales associates say "Oh that bag is expensive" or "Are your sure you want to see that bag?". I've either bought it to spite them or left the store with tears about to drop. However this time I went to the Chanel in Bergdorf Goodman. Shawn serviced me like he had known me for years, showed me how to take care of the bag, served me refreshments, and bagged it up with love. I've always wanted one and the time and finances came together for me to get one. I feel that it's a classic and edgy bag, but made for everyday. I feel like a big girl! LOL

QD: AWW I love that! It was a significant purchase and that's such a feel good moment. Ok Carolyn we're gonna wrap up with one last question. What does New York City "street style" mean to you?

Carolyn: New York City street style...when I spot individuality, that to me is the essence of New York City Fashion. In recent years there's alot of uniformity in fashion, everyone looks the same but then again it's hard not to. We admire what we admire and usually it's the things people put in front of us constantly (like on Instagram). It's the people who can take a trend and own that...THAT'S New York City. New York City style translates as "IDGAF" ,"Boss", "Stuntin on these hoes" and 'I gets mine", "Confident AF". All of that is New York City street style to me.

QD: YES!! Thank you SO MUCH for the insights and being my favorite month, birthday month, Virgo Season Style Spotlight!! You can find Carolyn and her amazing personal style on Instagram @itscarolyngray