User:Juneambrose

“Fashion is about self-expression and a statement about our times…”

Opulent. Decadent. Distinguished. These are just a few of the attributes that Author and Celebrity Stylist extraordinaire June Ambrose, embodies. In a world where image is everything, few stylists have the power of June Ambrose, whose agency the Mode Squad, Inc. is responsible for the stylistic evolution of some of today’s most influential entertainers and recording artists.

June’s influence spans globally. Her moniker is widely recognized from the street corners of New York’s Lower East Side to the catwalks of Milan, and her fingerprint can be found in look books and on tear sheets across the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Whether designing custom metallic leather pants for Sean “Diddy” Combs and Busta Rhymes, One of a kind pieces for Jay Z & Will Smith or Styling & crafting couture outfits for divas such as Zoe Saldana, Missy Elliott, Kelly Ripa, Kim Cattrall, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Estelle, Garcelle Beauvais and Ciara, June has left an indelible mark on today’s youth, inspiring countless trends and major fashion statements found in popular culture. She’s been recognized continually for her unparalleled ability to create original looks; deemed a visionary by Vibe and dubbed by New York Magazine as a modern-day hip-hop Holly Golightly, she has forecasted style trends for MTV, as well as hosted fashion segments for VH1, MTV, Regis & Kelly, The View, The Today Show and has been a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

A highly revered creative force to be reckoned with, June is a veritable one-woman fashion movement whose philosophy is quite simple: “Fashion is about self-expression and a statement about our times,” she says “and it’s my job to market my clients in a way that will reverberate with fans.” June’s memorable, innovative looks have resonated globally with the public more than any other music stylist around. It’s obvious the 38 year-old wardrobe stylist and costume designer was born with style savoir-faire, but she is also a seasoned veteran of the business, having worked in the music industry, the fashion business, and even finance. “My first job was at an investment banking firm,” says June, a petite woman always dressed in sleek, chic designer wear with a few funky accessories thrown in for good measure. “The money was good, but I was miserable.”

Through a friend, she landed an internship at Uptown MCA Records in 1990. At the time Sean “Diddy” Combs was little more than a talent scout and party promoter. One day, someone walked into the office and asked for a fashion stylist. “I asked what’s that?” says June. And after explained to me, I thought, I could do that.” After all, June was practically born into fashion. She designed outfits as a child and throughout high school, and swiftly became known for her unique handcrafted style. As her interest piqued, June’s determination and unyielding work ethic led her to compile a look book that included everything from her favorite magazine clippings to pictures of her friends wearing outfits she meticulously put together.

Fascinated by her milieu, June made it a priority to create and foster relationships with everyone from photographers and showrooms to stores and fashion editors, cultivating invaluable connections and generating exponential exposure for her evolving brand. In no time at all, she was styling photo shoots for publications such as Rolling Stone!, Vibe Magazine and British publications such as The Face and Arena. June even landed a marketing gig with Cross Colors, which was launched in 1989 by Carl Jones as one of the first brands that targeted African-American youth in urban areas. In the years that followed, in a revolutionary, pivotal point in her already flourishing career, June eventually built a strong working relationship and partnership with renowned video director Hype Williams which came to be one of June’s defining moments. “Hype opened up opportunities for me to be creative and alter the image of Hip Hop in a way that was fun and colorful,” says June. The two teamed up for Missy Elliot’s now infamous debut video, “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)”, casting her as a futuristic black superhero with a Japanese anime twist. It was a look even the most oversaturated MTV fans had never seen before, and it radicalized the way female Hip Hop artists were portrayed in videos. “Women have struggled endlessly with their image and sexuality in Hip Hop,” says June. “They’re often made to feel like they have to show skin to make an impression, but I wanted to show someone who was full figured yet powerful in another way, so I envisioned colors, cartoons and sexy movies.” June’s landmark work also earned her high-profile jobs with industry bigwigs such as Luther Vandross, Backstreet Boys and Mariah Carey, whose style transformation spearheaded by June, contributed to the success of The Emancipation of Mimi, making it the biggest come-back in music history. June also upped the ante for music videos, bringing luxury high fashion to a genre known mostly for low-budget, street looks. Whether blasting us into the future with Missy Elliot, taking us to another planet with Busta Rhymes or switching into a psychedelic force with Macy Gray, June pushes the envelope and throws in the unexpected, forcing us all to stand up and take notice.

June Ambrose has also left her indelible mark on the corporate world, serving as spokesperson for widely recognized campaigns and brands including Degree Deodorant, McDonalds’ Southwest Salad, and Tide Total Care Detergent. June served as the Creative Director for Missy Elliot’s deal with sneaker giant Adidas for four consecutive seasons as well as resident Style Architect for urban fashion juggernaut, Rocawear and its marketing campaigns. June’s unique touch earned the style guru countless awards and she was dubbed “The Architect of Style” by Jay Z, for her ability to turn the urban look into a high end lifestyle! In 2005, June inked a coveted book deal with Simon Spotlight Entertainment, a division of Simon & Schuster Publishing, to release a book that illustrated June’s full body of work. The book was entitled Effortless Style, which was released in the Fall of 2006 and is available in both hardcover and paperback. The book launch event took place at swanky NYC celebrity hotspot Tenjune, marking the still smoking hot nightclub’s inaugural event, which was hosted by June’s longtime client and friend Sean “Diddy” Combs, and attended by entertainment and fashion luminaries including Beyoncé, Jay Z, Penelope Cruz, Zac Posen, Kanye West, Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri, Philip Bloch, Busta Rhymes, Stephon Marbury, Timbaland, Robert Verdi, Sky Nellor, Jacob “The Jeweler” Arabo, and Perez Hilton. Furthermore, having done her fair share of television appearances over the years, The Producers at Freemantle (American Idol) and MTV recognized June’s talent and casted her as one of the judges on the new hit reality show Rock The Cradle.

Despite her many accomplishments, June Ambrose continues to work tirelessly - expanding her fashion empire and disseminating her knowledge of style across various sectors. With an impressive repertoire and coveted clientele, June is eager to expand her brand and continue to flex her creative muscle in the corporate realm - taking her already highly established brand to even greater heights. June has proved that there are no limits to the many opportunities and challenging ventures she has yet to pursue, as her amazing journey has only just begun.