Meet L D | Wardrobe Stylist | Fashion Label Owner | Professor of Fashion

We had the good fortune of connecting with L D and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi L, how do you define success?
For me, success is measured in the value you deliver as a creative.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

I grew up in Memphis, TN and moved to NYC following college graduation to pursue a career in the fashion industry – straight to the hub! I was naive and super southern. If you have frequented New York, you know it’s either for you or not! I thrived in that city and very much found my backbone as a creative while there.

I moved back to Memphis in 2o12 and accepted a buying position at a high-end, locally owned retailer – and lasted all of 7 months. I pivoted, and in 2013 began exploring men’s fashion as a custom clothier; this is also when I first met my present day business partner, Monte Stewart. I was introduced to the concept of a ‘network’ and the importance of connections.

Until 2016, I held a few different jobs or hustles before taking the leap of entrepreneurship and established my wardrobe styling business, Styled by LD. Monte and I officially launched our apparel brand in 2020, labeled Beg & Borrow Apparel, which sells direct to consumers as well as wholesale.

My repertoire would read wardrobe stylist, personal shopper, branding consultant, closet curator, creative director, set designer, bridal stylist, custom clothier, brand ambassador, local influencer, event coordinator and educator. I served on the board of Memphis Fashion Week for 6 years, and was the director of ‘freeze models’ and local retailers for 8 years. I have experience managing social media teams for local retailers and businesses, and over two decades of experience in the wholesale and retail realms of the fashion industry.

I am so grateful for my journey thus far, including every failure! I think as creatives, the ‘comeback’ following a failure is the greatest self-achievement. It’s difficult to scale one’s creative growth when we don’t overcome anything hard to grow more knowledgeable. Another pro tip: keep people around you that don’t flee when things get tough. We allow people to treat us the way they do, be intentional with your choices.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh perfect, I love to plan!!! Let’s go for a weekend though, in May! Memphis staycation loading… unlike the stereotypical Memphian response Elvis, BBQ and Beale St, we’ll be visiting my fav Memphis must do’s:
Local shopping *starting out east and working our way back downtown*
Indigo @ Regalia, Joseph and Kittie Kyle @ Laurelwood, Stock & Belle on S. Main St, then to The Peabody for our last shop at Lansky’s followed by cocktails in lobby.
Local dinning is prob my favorite category, but a stellar sunset starts the night off just right and Memphis is known for a sunset. Coastal Fish serves luxury cuisine with killer views, surrounded by a lake at Shelby Farms.
Catherine & Mary’s downtown for the atmosphere and authentic Italian; Ittabena for fancy southern fare, followed by the quick sneak downstairs for live music at BB Kings; the Beauty Shop in midtown for thee best brunch; Ecco at Overton Park for outside dining; Crazy Gander on Madison is the spot for any coffee lover; Ernestine & Hazels for a jukebox and soul burger *IYKYK*
Local social scene is vast… Memphis is diverse and our communities run deep with culture, art and entertainment. Absolutely we will be making an appearance at a Grizz game, followed by drinks at my go-to bar, Inkwell. The Brooks Museum at Overton Park is amazing, and we have a huge fashion show coming up 5/3 in conjunction with Christian Siriano’s ‘People are People’ exhibit; I love catching off-Broadway shows at The Orpheum; the new Tom Lee Park is beautiful on Riverside Dr… maybe we should make this a full-week itinerary 

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
If you know me, I’m quite certain you’ve heard me say, “Give credit where credit is due!”  So, it’s only fitting that my shoutout be to the iconic, Babbie Lovett! She is thee fashion guru at 91 years young, and a plethora of knowledge from her 60+ years of experience in the fashion industry in Memphis, Arkansas, NYC, but also globally.
I’ll tell you what Babbie told me back in 2019, when I asked for a few bullet points of her career achievements… “honey, google me!”

Website: https://www.styledbyld.com/ https://begandborrowapparel.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/styledbyld

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-draffin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/styledbyld1

Image Credits
Photo: Colin Chapman