Asia Willis, Fashion Journalist & Publisher of The NYLA Report

Age: 26

High School: Clintondale High School

College: Wayne State University

Neighborhood/City: Southfield

How she’s making her mark on the city of Detroit:

“I’m a freelance fashion journalist and the founder/publisher of The NYLA Report (pronounced ni*lah). The site focuses on the latest in pop culture, fashion and celeb news. From my experiences, I reported live from New York Fashion Week and interviewed key people in the fashion and entertainment industry such as Project Runway’s Tim Gunn, actress Gabrielle Union and Harper’s Bazaar contributing editor Mary Alice Stephenson just to name a few.”

On Her Day Job:

“I’m an Assistant Account Executive at Hermanoff Public Relations in Farmington Hills. I provide media relations, writing and research support to the account team. I also serve as the social media coordinator where I manage social media strategies for clients. With a background in journalism, I never imagined myself working in PR, but I love writing and working with the media. Nothing makes me happier than watching the news and seeing my client featured on a segment”.

On how she got her start:

“I always laugh when I tell people this, but I started NYLA out of pure boredom. As soon as it launched, people from Switzerland, Canada, and even someone from Elle.com has reached out to compliment the site. Even though NYLA was started for fun, it was bound to happen. Since I was a kid, I’ve always been fascinated with fashion and pop culture.

I freelanced for a few local pubs like Ambassador Magazine while I was in college, but I owe everything to Detroit Fashion Pages. Covering New York Fashion Week was a childhood dream of mine and I had the opportunity to attend while I was with DFP”.

Highlights of her career:

“Nick Cannon was really cool because he was my very first celeb interview, but Tim Gunn was my absolute favorite. He’s such an influential and knowledgeable person in the fashion industry and yet, he was very personable. I never laughed so hard while conducting an interview. If Tim Gunn wasn’t in fashion, he would definitely be a comedian”.

On why she chooses to stay in Metro Detroit:

“Although I’m a Chicago native, I consider this home. Detroit gets a bad wrap for EVERYTHING and fashion is no different. When people think of Detroit, it doesn’t scream fashion, but the community is definitely up-and-coming. You have great designers like Ris Tena of Gold Crate Club, William Malcolm of Luxe Collection, Emily and Fotoula of Femilia Couture, Angela McBride, Eugenia Paul and Sarah Lapinski of WOUND Menswear are so wonderful at what they do. I know we have talented people here, but I want people outside the city to feel the same way. I support Detroit Fashion Week, Fashion in Detroit, Fashion Group International Detroit and hip events like Funk in the Trunk by writing about them and spreading the word.”

On her favorite things about Detroit:

“The people! Over the last couple months, I’ve met some truly inspiring people who volunteer their free time to improve the city. It’s not reflected in the media much, but Detroiters are devoted and loyal to the city. You have people like James Gardin aka P2dahi of the BLAT! Pack, a member of a local hip-hop group, spent three months in South Africa to help kids affected by AIDS/HIV. Nicole Brown devotes her free time to benefit the Boys Hope Girls Hope, Fusion Detroit, and Michigan Opera Theater. These are the inspiring stories that you hardly hear about.

My favorite places to shop on the local scene is practically any boutique or vintage shop in Royal Oak such as Shapes, Pink Pump, Paris, etc. I want to check out Rachel’s Place in Corktown, but haven’t had the chance yet. When it comes to online, I adore Asos, Topshop, Evans, Faith 21, Gilt Groupe and Net-A-Porter” I love reading Refinery 29, Fashionista, MTV’s Buzzworthy, Elle, and Daily Front Row but my absolute favorite is The Cut.

On what she wishes you knew about Detroit:

“Detroiters are some of the hardest working people in America. Also, the city has its problems like any other major metropolitan area, but it’s not that bad! When I travel, I hate when people give me the head-to-toe look when I say I’m from Detroit.”

On future plans:

“Expansion for The NYLA Report is definitely in the works. Ideally, I would love to have at least one correspondent in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Miami. Also, I want to expand on an international level. I hope to cover Paris, London and Milan Fashion Week in the next few years.”

Asia’s words of wisdom:

“I don’t want to sound like an advertisement for Nike, but just do it! Don’t let anyone discourage you from your dreams and never underestimate your capabilities.”

Related Websites:

• The NYLA Report
• The NYLA Report on Facebook
• The NYLA Report on Twitter
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