We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Charlene Crafter- Pressley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Charlene below.
Charlene , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
My confidence is built on self-love, perseverance and embracing who I truly am. I have learned that every challenge I’ve faced has strengthened my self-esteem. Because it reminding me that I am capable of achieving my goals in life.
For example, growing up I was plus size girl in the classroom . Yes kids pick on me, but I didn’t let that get to me because I embraced my figure through my fashion style. One things about me “a sister can put an outfit together” as my friends would tell me.
To me self-love and my fashion style is what build my confidence because it was the way I style my clothes to fit my body figure right. It was the self-love affirmation I would say to myself in the mirror when style my outfit. I am an affirm believer in self-pep talks. I feel that once you repeat “ you’re enough, you’re beautiful etc. until you believe It. Will help boost your confidence.
I started doing the self-affirmation when I turn 25th years old. Out of nowhere I started to feel very self-conscious about my figure. So one day I decided to create a self-affirmation post board to hang in my bedroom. I would read those quotes every morning will getting myself together to started my day of right. During the times I was getting dressed I would studying how I was putting my outfits together. And I just said out of nowhere “Char you’re beautiful, you’re enough, and babe you sure can dress your tail off,” just look at how you put together a stylish outfit.
It’s was in that moment I know I had a passion for fashion and styling. As well as helping others build their self- confidence within themselves. By giving them styling tips on “how to style a fashionable outfit”
In addition, feeling confident in your outfit allows you to own your style, make a lasting impression, and approach any situation with positivity and self-assurance.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Hello everyone my name is Charlene. My love for fashion began at younger age watching my mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother style their outfits.
These women would put an outfit together that would turn heads. Nothing was out of place not even their hair. These women inspired me in such ways that how I developed my own sense of fashion by taking a piece of what I learned from them. And once again creating my own personal style. Since I was a teenagers I always wanted to do fashion blogging or content creators. I was just too nervous to do it.
Fast forward 2020 when pandemic happened. Was when the birth of Smiply_ be_fashion_ began .As I stated above I was nervous and scared because I felt there was so many content creators out there that no would pay me any mind. “
But God had show up and show out”. What I mean by that is I had said prayer. And God will show me things through a message or through a person to give me word encouragement.
I was scrolling through instagram when a quoted pop-up. It was picture of supermarket with the same “spaghetti sauce” And in that quote stated that no matter how many brands of spaghetti sauce are on the shelf. Each one of these spaghetti sauce brands bring something different the table and their products will attract its audience. That is all I need to boost my confidence and self-esteem. To Create simply_be_fashion_.
The purpose of creating simply_be_fashion_ is to inspire and empower individuals to embrace their unique style, through insightful fashion advice, trend exploration, and practical tips, creating a community where everyone feels confident and expressive in their personal fashion journey.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
By me pursuing my dreams as fashion blog/ content creator simply_be_fashion_ has open many doors of opportunity. Just this last week I attend NYFW24 as press. I learned the importance of networking and meeting content creators like myself was amazing. I have learned to not get discouraged if PR Desinger that I pitch to didn’t e-mail back or say no they can accommodate you at this time. I just simply keep pitch to more show until I was about to heard back from PR. I attended 4 to 5 shows at NYFW. I had amazing time at NYFW. To see the details work of the designers put together as their collection was top tier.
My takeaway from NYFW was to find out I was featured in WWD newspapers as “Best Street Spring Fashion” 2025. My word of encouragement to anyone that is thinking of becoming a fashion blogger/ content creator is to keep your eyes on the prizes and everything that should fall in place will. And remember your hard work will pay off.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
My biggest growth in the past 12 months is networking with the right people who impact my life for the better in helping me take Simply_ be_fashion to the next. I’ve significantly enhanced my fashion blog and social media presence by diversifying my content, focusing on authenticity, and actively engaging with my community. This journey has allowed me to sharpen my skills, stay ahead of trends, and create a more impactful and relatable platform.”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Simply_be _fashion_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@simplybefashion
- Other: TikTok: @simplybefashion
Image Credits
The black and white dress I attended the global fashion collection show in NYFW
The denim on denim outfits I attended the Essence house of Fashion 24
As I attended the Essence House of fashion I met designer Bruceglen. The twins were so nice and very inspiration with their positive energy and great fashion advice when it came styling an outfit .
The flower blouse top I attended another global collection. This flower blouse top was featured in WWD newspaper as best street fashion spring 25.
The baby blue suit was from Ashley Stewart collection line .
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
