Illustrated by Samantha Hahn

In this Fashion Week special, “How I Get It Done,” we ask successful women how to manage their careers and lives during this hectic time.

You’ve probably seen the work of stylist and Emmy Award-winning costume designer Zerina Akers. lemonade When black is kingWhat does it take to become a longtime collaborator of Beyoncé?

In 2013, Akers had just graduated from college with a degree in fashion merchandising. One night she invited her friends over for lasagna. “I remember thinking to myself,” she said. i need this food to last a few dayssays Akers, who has a limited budget. “That’s when I heard her aunt’s voice ringing in her head. She said never skimp on food.”

A friend of that friend was Kwasi Forjour, who became the creative director of Parkwood Entertainment, Beyoncé’s entertainment and management company. Fordjour put Akers to work as his assistant in the closet. It took a year of interviews to get the gig managing Bey’s personal wardrobe and packing her clothes.”That was my true master her course,” he said of Akers. says. “I know the workflow and functionality of a performance and how to style a music video, how to dress a curvy woman, how to listen to what a client wants, how to pick it up when it feels good. I learned all these things, and all these valuable things are how I am able to build really good relationships with my clients today.” Over the next decade, she worked closely with Beyoncé.

Akers lives in Los Angeles and recently supported designers like Fe Noel, Sergio Hudson and Jason Rembert at New York Fashion Week and was in Los Angeles to attend a show with his client, artist Latto. . She also works for Express as a celebrity stylist. “For me, it’s always been about pants,” she says Akers. “So jeans are the hardest thing, even when working with curvy clients, but I’m thrilled when I manage to get them to fit just right.” We own and curate Everything. Here, she shares how she gets it done during Fashion Week.

About her Fashion Week schedule:
It’s really crazy. I have a Google spreadsheet color-coded by who I wear dresses, gift suites, and presentations. Perhaps we have a show in the morning, then come back refreshed, maybe change, and then move on to an evening show. Depending on the occasion, if there is a party I might go there, but I try to limit the time I go out. Therefore, it can be tiring. I always say I have industry hours and New York City hours. I usually try to avoid late nights, but I might go once or twice if the atmosphere is good.

Reasons for a successful fashion week:
The most important thing for me is to establish and build relationships and support the people who will support you throughout the year. increase.

About her morning routine:
I’m usually up by 7:30 am, have a big breakfast, and then put on my makeup. I like to keep it relatively open in the morning for meetings, friends, and people I haven’t seen in a while.

About her packing tips and tricks:
Before I leave home in LA, I try everything on and take pictures, or take a selfie in the mirror. Get dressed up by trying on everything from sunglasses, handbags, and shoes. Shoes are very important. It may be faster to take the train or walk. So I plan my outfits around comfortable shoes. I don’t like layering my clothes. I fold like Marie Kondo. I arrived here with almost one suitcase. I bring along some still cool cozy looks in case you want to cheer up. Also, if you stay more than 3 days, we will unpack. That way, you can separate clean and dirty clothes, and unpacking is easy.

On some of her routines during Fashion Week:
gardening. I bought some new plants but never got a chance to plant them in the ground. When I get back there, I want to plant the peppers I want to grow.

On rewind:
I do CBD bath bombs. It really relaxes my back. and watch TV.Now I’m seeing a reboot of L’s wordIt’s hilarious that they were able to reboot that show and everyone looks the same.

Have you ever skipped saying you’re going to a Fashion Week show? If so, what would you do instead?
sleepy. Or, like this week, you may have to skip a few that you agreed to attend, because Latto will come and help you get dressed and sit with her. I also agreed with Jason Rembert’s styling for her Aliette show, so maybe I’ll have to do a little more work.

What do you eat during fashion week?
If we were in Paris, we would say steak and fries.