Jason Bolden on Storytelling Through Fashion and Becoming The Biggest Stylist in Hollywood

On this week's episode of IDEA GENERATION, celebrity stylist Jason Bolden takes us on a journey from his youth in St. Louis and Chicago, to becoming one of the most sought-after stylists in Hollywood. From opening a vintage shop in New York City, to getting a chance to style Gabrielle Union, to building an all star roster of A-listers as clients, Jason Bolden has reimagined what it means to be a stylist... and it all started with one idea.

Act I
0:00 Intro
1:38 Family values, growing up
4:23 Style Icons, Influences & Acceptance
6:43 Starting college in pre-med
8:22 Pivoting into the arts
10:26 Lessons from luxury retail
12:32 Talent is not the most important thing
12:52 Opening first pop up shop + vintage store

Act II
16:00 Learning the nuances of the styling and fashion worlds
17:24 Meeting Gabrielle Union
18:44 Defining what a stylist does
22:11 Transition from retail to building a client roster
23:50 “The only reason I am where I am is because of Black women”
24:35 Taraji P Henson & the importance of working with someone on their journey
26:17 Navigating creative blocks
27:59 Qualities to look for in a client
28:25 Navigating competition vs. collaboration

Act III
30:19 Being subject to scrutiny within the industry
31:12 Unpredictability of the business
32:55 The difference between a good and bad idea
33:05 A look vs. a moment
33:56 Styling Dwyane Wade
35:50 Operating a business with your spouse
36:46 Least glamorous parts of being a stylist
37:52 Exposure to other areas of the industry
38:53 Growth and looking forward

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Credits:
Noah Callahan-Bever
Creator & Host, Idea Generation

Starring: Jason Bolden

Musical Director: A-Trak
Animations by: Sang Bleu / IDEA GENERATION

Executive Producers: Helena Ox, Tricia Clarke-Stone and John Walaszek
Producer: Adam Fleischer + Jack Erwin
Creative Director + Editor: Kyle Gaughan

Produced by: Raw Media House
Director: Mike Mirasco
DP: Taylor Ross
Producer: Kasandra Baruch
Production Manager: Brian Antezana
Cam Ops: Ryan Ramsey, Will Crowther
Gaffer: Rob Julin
Key Grip: Eric Gilbert
Sound: Ken Pries
PAs: Isaac Antezana, Kri Schafer
MUA: Deena Sennie
Photography: Josh DeAngelis

Special thanks to:
Adair Curtis
Stefanie Sher