Conversations with Chanice Williams

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanice Williams

Hi Chanice, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Ever since I was a kid I liked to style my doll’s hair and since the age of 9 is when I began taking interest in fashion and sketching. When I was a preteen I decided I wanted a career in the beauty industry with hair and fashion and never detered from it. As I got older I grew interest of working on set due to the love I have for movies and tv. When I graduated from high school in 2011 I enrolled in Iowa School of Beauty the same year. I graduated from beauty school November 2012 and obtained my Cosmetologist License in Decemer of 2012. I took a gap year and worked in a hair salon to gain experience in hair. In 2014 I had moved to Texas and enrolled in The Art Institute of Dallas. 2017 I graduated with my degree Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Fashion Design.

Since college I’ve been working off and on in various beauty salons, networking and mastering my skills. One thing about me is that I am always open and eager to learn. In this industry it’s partially about your effort and hardwork, but it is also about who you know and you have to be willing to put yourself out there and go after your dreams. Through my mentor I worked on a few photoshoots and I was a personal stylist to the late Quindon Tarver and I styled him for his “Stand Your Ground” music video.

When I was ready I finally fulfilled one of my many dreams and moved out to Los Angeles, California in April of 2022 for a chance at more opportunities in my career. I’ve completed three fashion interships to date, my most recent was with Adolfo Sanchez and I assisted with some designing, sewing and talioring for various clientele. I have worked on varous projects from music videos, trade photoshoots, and fashion shows. I had the opportunity of working on these projects through networking. Through these projects I’ve gained expeience in head of hair, makeup, wardrobe and assisting director.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been easy especially when I had to navigate beween being a full time student at Ai of Dallas and working full time to put myself through school. I would say sometimes projects eseciallly when it comes to wardrobe can be challenging, when it’s a garment style you’ve never sewn or haven’t done since college, but I’m someone no matter how difficult I’m up to complete my challenges to the best of my ability. When first starting out my biggest challenge or fear was that I would try to be perfect and it put a hindrance on my creativity and caused me to put alot of stress upon myself.

As well as I also began battling with seizures in college doctors couldn’t find the cause and after five medictions none of them have worked and I did go through a state of depression which didn’t help my creativity either. There have been times where I wanted to throw in the towel and give up on myself, but mercy said no. One of my current challenges is not being able to drive due to medical restrictions and in my line of work it can be difficult at times to move around without a vehicle, but I even let that hold me back anymore, I truly love what I do and the direction that I am headed that the good definitely outweights the bad.
It hasn’t always been easy especially when I had to navigate beween being a full time college student, and working full time to put myself through school. I would say sometimes projects eseciallly when it comes to wardrobe can be challenging, when it’s a garment style you’ve never sewn or haven’t done since college, but I’m someone no matter how difficult I’m up to complete my challenges to the best of my ability. When first starting out my biggest challenge or fear was that I would try to be perfect and it put a hindrance on my creativity and caused me to put alot of stress upon myself. It can also be challenging when you have to work with a limited or quick turn around, but I have learned that comes with the work you just have to learn how to prioritize and plan out your time.

Another current obstacle for me is having seizures I’ve battled with t since I was in college in 2016. My doctors cannot find the cause and medications have never worked with that came depression and anxiety. There have been many times where I wanted to throw in the towel and give up on myself, but mercy said no. One of my current challenges is not being able to drive due to medical restrictions and in my line of work it can be difficult at times to move around without a vehicle, but I don’t even let that hold me back anymore, I truly love what I do and the direction that I am headed that the good truly outweights the bad.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am currently a licensed Cosmetologist I am taking clients at Art Beauty Equilibrium. I have a diversified skill set, mastering the art of working with multiple hair textures and executing various haircutting and styling technique, proving services for men and women. My diverse skill set includes makeup, graphic design, pattern making, sewing and tailoring. I’m really proud of my recent accomplishments; releasing a fashion collection through SHEIN, I volunteered as head of hair fo the LB Fashion Expo, Beauty and Pain Nonprofit for the Lupus Awareness Urban Fall Fashion show September 2023. Last but not least as a designer and stylist for Dometri’s Closet (DC) I worked on various projects inluding promo photoshoots, music videos and fashion shows. I srvd as 1st Assistant Director head of makeup and wardrobe for DC’s production of Club Oasis music video “Resting Place”. I was head of hair for Dometri’s Closet glam squad supporting for the NAACP Iowa/Nebraska President and Board of directors for NAACP Image Awards 2024 events. I recently obtained a certificate of completion for the NAACP x HANDY Foundation x Netflix glam squad training. I believe it to be a testament to my creativity and entrepreneur spirit which sets me apart from everyone as well as having a diversified mindset which shines through my talent and all the projects I have completed to date.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
No matter how hard things may seem keep fighting for yourself and what you believe, do not give up on your dreams even when you don’t see the fruit of your labor, because all the work will start to pay off as you plants those seeds, continue to water and take care of yourself, so that you can be the best YOU in any goals or accomplishments you want to achieve. Last but not least do not worry about what anyone has to say, people will talk wether you are doing bad or good, so you might as well achieve what you love, and stay true to yourself, and what is meant to come your way, what is meant for you, will find you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/chichithestylist
• Other: https://www.behance.net/gallery/134326737/Chanice-Brewer-Portfolio

Image Credits
The Handy Foundation
Blame the Shooter Photography
Christina Davison Welch LLC
Prince Jibbz
Patrick Crowe Photograpy