We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful LaDyra Lyte. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with LaDyra below.
LaDyra , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Every room I walk into, I know that I am called to be there. my faith in God is the foundation of everything that I do, and I follow Him wherever He leads me. I am living in His plan for my life, not my own. Because I know He’s intentional, even in moments when I feel out of place, I trust that His grace has already made more than enough space for me. At the same time, I’ve put in the work; educating myself and gaining real, high-level expereience in my industry. I’ve become an attractive and competitive asset to wherever I go. As a Black woman, I’m often met with preconceived ideas about who I am and what I can do. But I choose not to internalize anyone else’s realized. I show up, stand tall, with my long hair, long nails, blinged out with jewelry, and make sure that I’m not just present; I’m dominating!! ESPECIALLY, when I’m the only one in the room who looks like me. I know what I bring to the table, I know what I am capable of, and I carry that confidence and faith with me every where I go. God walks before me!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a fashion designer, currently about to graduate Louisiana State University with my masters in historic costume. Apart from my brand, I am most passionate about my research throughout my career. My creative works focus on identifying historical gaps and including marginalized voices in fashion history. A lot of fashion history is very eurocentric and excludes the contributions of Black/Brown creatives and designers and so my research aims to broaden and diversify academic discourse. I’ve presented a lot of my research at various conferences and I’ll be presenting at yet another one this June in Los Angelas.
I also was just recently nominated and made it to top three of the Detroit Fashion Choice Awards for the “Favorite Fashion Designer” category! I was not expecting that! But I am grateful to have been listed next to so many amazing designers that inspire me.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
First of all, God is the way, the truth, and the life! I wish I could say I’m living the dream I’ve always dreamt but I’m not. God has taken me even further than what I ever could have imagined and He made my dream look like light work compared to where I am now and all that I have accomplished. With that, my best advice is to stay the course, even when it doesn’t look like what you want it to look like. Sometimes God sends us through a wilderness as a short cut, that he knows our enemy won’t follow us through. Let God be God and trust Him because at the end of the day He has a better vantage point and sees more than what we ever could. Idleness kills! You MUST keep showing up everyday even when you don’t want to because that discipline conditions you. Lastly, learn how to let go. We always want to control everything and hold on real tight, especially when we feel like what we currently hold is as good as it gets, and it’s not. It’s just a beginning. We lose more holding on than we do when we let go.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my parents ever did for me was love me and nurture gifts they saw I had as a child. They never pushed anything on me or tried to sway me. They just observed me, listened, and they put me in places where they saw God taking me. They didn’t always have the money or the time, but they taught me how to be self sufficient, to take risks, and to finish everything I start. I am a reflection of them for sure.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ladyralyte.com
- Instagram: lyte.house__
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ladyra-lyte-75782b204/
Image Credits
DreLamont Photography
LensByLydia
Ambrose Jas
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