Serving Style With Suliann (Interview x Photoshoot)

Asking someone to come with you to Rae Town located in Downtown Kingston that has a violent reputation for the sake of fashion is a whole lot to ask, especially when that person is a Jamaican turned New Yorker who has never really been exposed to such areas. But luckily, Suliann Pinnock loves a challenge! Suliann is a Fashion Stylist, Fashion Institute of technology student, former Flight Attendant and a Fashion blogger. But she is not just any fashion blogger. She is a FashionBombDaily.com regular featured “Bomb Blogger” who just so happens to be a friend of mine whom I met in college, so trying to get her on the cover was no biggie. The streets of Downtown Kingston where tales of violence are often told on the Prime Time News was the location but when we arrived there the streets were far from violent and the people were welcoming to us using their property. 7 member crew and 6 outfit changes, while we circled the Rae Town area in search of the perfect locations to shoot was no easy feat. When the shoot was done she was still as upbeat as how she started, but hey that’s what you get from a girl who enjoys getting dolled up and snapping pics. Back to her roots for a summer vacation, I sat down with her to ask a few questions and plus it was a great opportunity to “link up” seeing that we already had plans to do so.

Neko Kelly: How funny is it that what was supposed to be a “meet and chill” turned into us doing a full on photo shoot?

Suliann - Honestly, I expected us to have our own little photoshoot at our “meet and chill”. But I didn’t quite expect a full on photoshoot, it was sooooo much fun!

Neko Kelly: Did the stories of Downtown Kingston ever scare you as a kid growing up?

Suliann - Yes it did, based on the various media reports and “hear say”.

Neko Kelly: What was the greatest adventure you have been on and what else would you love to do?

Suliann – My greatest adventure has been leaving my job and my home to live in New York to pursue my dream. I also would love to travel the world and when I say that people look at me funny because I was a flight attendant and left my job. But I want to travel on my own time and actually spend enough time to experience my destination of choice.

Neko Kelly: it’s pretty clear that you are fearless with your style but what ways are you fearless in life?

Suliann – That’s one aspect of my style that really represents a part of my personality, fearlessness. I’m not afraid to take risks (within reason). I really enjoy new experiences, I honestly get a rush from that! If a week goes by and I don’t try something new I feel sad.

Neko Kelly: You have had some great exposure in the fashion industry that some could only dream of so I am sure you would have to had developed a thick skin. In what ways are you tough, and in what ways are you sensitive?

Suliann – I have always had thick skin, for as long as I can remember I’ve always been “unbothered”. I am tough in the sense that people can’t get me down with their words or idea of who I should be. My life is my journey and I live accordingly, on my OWN pre destined path. However, I am sensitive about my craft. If something doesn’t come out the way I wanted it to I get really hard on myself. I am NO where near where I want to be in terms of my craft so I constantly try to push myself more and more with each project I work on. I don’t want “good”, I want great and I’m just not there yet.

Neko Kelly: You have been slaying it on your blog ServingStyleNYC.com style wise. Do you have to psych yourself up for blog shoots or do you just go for it?

Suliann – Sometimes I do, because some days I just don’t feel like taking pictures but I know I need to be consistent with producing content, so I have to push myself on the “I can’t be bothered days”.

Neko Kelly: whose style would you steal for a day?

Suliann – SOLANGE!

Neko Kelly: is there a fashion line that you would never cross something you would never wear?

Suliann – Nope! Nothing comes to mind. I’m fearless remember lol

Neko Kelly: How much maintenance does your style take?

Suliann- My style really doesn’t take that much maintenance because I don’t buy a lot of high end pieces and I know how to find those cheap hidden treasures.

Neko Kelly: What is a perfect day for you?

Suliann - A day started off with meditation and a cup of tea, followed by an adventure with a seafood dish for lunch.

Neko Kelly: Finally, how do you manage to run a blog, be a stylist and a student at the New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology?

Suliann – Only God knows! I surprise myself all the time, and to think that this upcoming school year I will be adding more to my plate. I just pray and ask for the strength to do it all.

Photos below (To see the full shoot styled by me head over to the Styled To Roc gallery on the blog)

#Wardobe provided by @Sinature78

#Suliann's instagram @melenigma