Words by: Kimberly Haddad
Creative Director: KIRSTEN KAY MAGBANUA @ayeekirstenkay
Photographer: MICHAEL NYEMBO @eyeattracti0n
Makeup: IYA VALDEZ-PEARSON @beauty.n.thebeat
Hair: ILEANA COSTANTINI @ileana0909
Wardrobe Stylist: MELVIN SANDERS @melvinstyles
Studio: VM STUDIO LA @vmstudios.la
Bracelet CARTIER @cartier
Jumpsuit FROM GRAYSCALE @grayscaleic
Shoes ANNA KIKI OFFICIAL @annakikiofficial
Acclaimed designer and actress, Draya Michele has become a fashion icon, establishing her presence in entertainment, beauty and business. Having launched her adored swimsuit line Mint Swim as well as ready-to-wear collections, including Fine Ass Girls and Beige & Coco, Michele is a self-made millionaire, with an amassed 7.5+ million followers across social media platforms and garnering the attention of global brands and entertainment companies alike. She is known for roles in feature films and television, including the Lionsgate romantic comedy Perfect Match, True to the Game, Till Death Do Us Part and BET’s We Belong Together.
BASIC: You are originally from Reading, Pennsylvania and moved to Los Angeles in 2011 to initiate your fashion career. Can you share some insight into your upbringing and what led you into the fashion world?
DRAYA: I’ve always wanted to be a fashion designer and I knew that I was limited in terms of resources in Pennsylvania. So, I decided to move to Los Angeles to start my business and that’s kind of how it became a thing. I’ve been in L.A. for eight years now.
BASIC: You launched your swimsuit brand Mint Swim in 2011 and expanded your scope to collections, including Fine Ass Girls and Beige & Coco. Tell us about your decision to refocus your energy and move towards the business world.
DRAYA: I started my fashion lines while doing reality television and once my business began to flourish, I kind of dropped off in terms of acting. I just really wanted to take my lines more seriously. I have opened up a location for Mint Swim that will be opening probably mid-May. Right now, we are doing consistent pop-up shops there, but it will soon be a permanently–opened storefront. We have swimsuits, cover-ups, sandals and similar products like that.
BASIC: Earlier you mentioned the possibility of partaking in more auditions now that you’ve really gained confidence. How has becoming an entrepreneur and launching highly-successful fashion brands changed your mindset as both a woman and actress?
DRAYA: Well, they are two totally different animals and I think that being a boss in the fashion industry is something that I own. It’s something I am very confident in, something that is very true to me and who I am as an individual. I am very passionate about it and I think the difference between fashion and acting is that acting is something that I want to do, not something that has just fallen upon me, and it hasn’t been easy by any means. It’s been a struggle because I actually have to work for the roles that I want and have to go out and audition. I still like to do it, mainly because it is a challenge and I like the challenge of trying to form into someone else, but it definitely doesn’t come as easy or as naturally as designing clothes or running a business.
BASIC: Do you have advice for other women who are fearful of stepping outside of their comfort zones and branching out to be different in terms of their careers?
DRAYA: I think you have to come up with a plan and stick to it. In the beginning, you have to know it’s not going to be easy and you’re going to hear the word “no”. People take the word “no” as a rejection, which it is, but it’s a temporary rejection. It doesn’t mean, no, you didn’t get this role and you shouldn’t try it again. It just means that you may not be perfect for that specific role and to keep trying for the role that is perfect for you.
BASIC: You’re a mother of two and have an incredibly busy lifestyle. How do you balance your home life with your career?
DRAYA: I think time management is really important and I always have to prioritize. My family always comes first, so when I’m planning out my day, I make sure that I carve out a big section to spend time with them, especially my youngest. I have breakfast with him every morning. I pick up my oldest from school so that we always have time to chitchat about our day. I just like to carve time out of my day for them.
BASIC: The theme for this issue is Identity. Can you talk to us about your personal identity and how you would describe that?
DRAYA: I am very true to myself. I’m Draya Michele and I feel like I own that. I’m confident and I wasn’t always the most confident woman, but I have accepted my flaws and poor decisions that I’ve made and today, I can go into the world without embarrassment, without being ashamed of anything that has happened in my past. I’ve used every single thing and every decision I have made to get into the position that I am in now and I am very proud of the woman that I have become.
BASIC: You have become an influential personality and have partnered with brands, including Revolve Clothing, Nike, Becca Cosmetics and more. How would you describe your personal style and who are some of your favorite brands at the moment?
DRAYA: I like all brands really, but I get a lot of my style inspiration from Victoria Beckham. I think she dresses really great. I follow a lot of fashion bloggers on Instagram and that’s also pretty inspiring. As far as me, I feel like I used to play it safe, you know? I used to wear a lot of black and white, but as I’ve grown and the more confident I’ve become, I’ve sort of started adding more color into my wardrobe. I wear a lot of yellow and a lot of turquoise lately. But you know, it’s a growth thing. I’m just learning to try different things and take fashion risks
