BY: JADE LEONARD
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: NIGIL CRAWFORD & JENNELLE GORDON
From "The Bridge" to Manhattan's World Trade Center, Asia Milia is making her mark on the world of Fashion. Asia has appreciated fashion since she was a little girl. Admiring her family's glam and style, and extending that appreciation for the entire black community. She views "Black Fashion" as a way of life and more than just a trendy phase. Plus, she's not stopping at fashion. Fitness and beauty are also apart of her life's journey! If you're reading this remember, If you want to be a champion, you must do the work of a champion. So without further ado, I present to you a young black queen that's taking the New York Fashion industry by storm. Ladies and gents, give it up for "Asia Millia The Fashion Mogul".
The UpNext: Who is Asia Milia?
Asia Millia: Asia Milia is just like any other Black woman. She’s a girl from Queens, New York who values her friends, family, and career. She loves to inspire others and she’s passionate about beauty, but she doesn’t define herself by that, she prides herself in how she makes others feel.
The UpNext: What made you decide to pursue a career in fashion?
Asia: Growing up in New York City, fashion was always fascinating to me. From a young age, I watched my aunt go to Broadway in floor-length furs and obsessed over watching my mom’s beauty routine. After visiting a magazine in high school, I decided that was my career. Initially, I was discouraged because many people in the industry didn’t look like me, but I also knew that if I worked hard and set my mind to it, I could do it, and I did, and still continue to every day.
The UpNext: What do you think are the current and future trends of fashion in the African American community?
Asia: I think Black designers are having a huge moment right now following the state of the world and how 2020 has shifted us all. I don’t think it’s ever been "trendy" to shop black, it’s a lifestyle, but it’s hard to label trends for just our community. From streetwear to Telfar bags, there are so many trends that define us, but in the future, I think buying black should be something that we incorporate into our everyday lives instead of just a trend for the moment.
The UpNext: Did your attendance at an HBCU prepare you to work in the fashion industry?
Asia: Yes. The industry is fast-paced and you have to stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. I’ve always been a hustler but Hampton made me a more solution-oriented woman who thinks and moves quickly on her feet, thanks to being so involved. It’s also where I met most of my closest friends who keep me grounded, which is necessary when working in this industry.
The UpNext: Define “Fashion.”
Asia: Fashion is different to everyone. For me, style is how you express yourself through clothing. It’s a way to convey who you are to the world, whether you love chic clothing or understated styling, your style speaks to who you are as a person.
The UpNext: What were your daily tasks at [InStyle Magazine, Fashion Bomb Daily & ESSENCE Magazine]?
Asia: All of them were extremely different experiences. At InStyle I was an intern and had the opportunity to work with the editor in chief’s assistant; it was a lot of menial work but I made all of my days count. I also had the opportunity to write and make loads of connections. I wrote and did social media at Fashion Bomb. At ESSENCE, I was a college ambassador, so I did a lot of campus events, writing, social media content creation, and I was able to work the festival after graduating.
The UpNext: How do you handle stress and conflict?
Asia: Meditating, reading bible plans, and talking to my friends, mom, or close family.
The UpNext: How has your faith grown throughout this journey?
Asia: Its grown tremendously. When I hit my lowest point, I realized that I couldn’t do this alone, I needed faith and my fear couldn’t coexist with my faith. I had to and still have to pray, do the work, and put my trust in God knowing that he has the final say and plans for my life.
The UpNext: Where would you like your career in fashion to lead you?
Asia: I am actually shifting more into beauty; its more complex to me and I’ve been learning a lot about myself through beauty, especially Black beauty. I don’t know where my career will lead me, but I definitely would love my voice to be known, a catalyst for change in the beauty industry, and eventually merge my love of beauty with fitness!
The UpNext: When did you start your fitness journey and what does it mean to you?
Asia: I started a fitness journey when I was at Hampton a few years back and it was very up and down. This year I’ve actually really been able to focus more on it, but health and wellness is something I’m really passionate about especially inspiring and motivating other young Black women who are just like me.
The UpNext: What are 3 pieces of advice you have for an aspiring young Black Queen or King who’s interested in your field? Why?
Asia: I hate to sound cliche, but my advice is always the same to everyone and that is: always do more than what you’re asked, be solution-oriented, and don’t be afraid to speak up. All of these have played into my growth in my career and I’m still learning every day.
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