“You can learn something from everyone.” | From Fashion Admirer to Corporate Success: Meet Bailee Dukes

Meet Bailee Dukes, a true fashion aficionado whose journey through the world of style has been as vibrant as her Virgin Islands upbringing. From the sun-soaked beaches to the bustling streets of New York, Bailee's passion for fashion ignited early on, thanks to the radiant influence of her mother and aunts. Mesmerized by their flair for dressing, whether for a dinner soirée or a glamorous event, she found herself drawn to the artistry of garments. As fate would have it, a cinematic revelation in the form of "The Devil Wears Prada'' solidified her destiny – a resolute decision to immerse herself in the ever-evolving tapestry of fashion. Venturing from the capital city of Washington, DC, to the fashion capital of the world, New York, Bailee embarked on her odyssey, delving into the e-commerce realm at Hermès . Yet, her thirst for knowledge led her deeper into the realm of retail math and fashion analytics, where she fine-tuned her skills at rag & bone as an astute Assistant Account Executive. But life had more in store, orchestrating a leap into luxury, as 路易·威登 beckoned her to their corporate realm. Here, Bailee's passion found a new facet – client relations and engagement – where she mastered the intricacies of curating unforgettable events and orchestrating mesmerizing fashion spectacles. Now, in the halls of 香奈儿 's corporate domain, Bailee continues her narrative, crafting experiences that transcend the ordinary, echoing the eternal allure of haute couture.?

Miss EmpowHer: What does women's empowerment mean to you? Why is it important?

Bailee Dukes: To me, women empowerment means recognizing the achievements of women, while also honoring the different paths they took that got them to where they are. And also, recognizing that there is no one way to be successful or no singular achievement that defines success. The definition of success should be something that we can define for ourselves and might look different to all of us, so I think that women's empowerment is all about celebrating the different journeys that women take and the fulfillment they find in these journeys.?

"There is no one way to be successful or no singular achievement that defines success."

Miss EmpowHer: What advice would you give to other women looking to succeed in your industry? What qualities are the most important and what skills should they focus on developing?

Bailee Dukes: I think to succeed in fashion (and in any industry), it's important to be adaptable. In the world we live in, things are changing rapidly and I think this is super clear in fashion. I also think that in fashion (and again in any industry), it's important to have thick skin. Fashion is very personal to many people and there can be a lot of emotion that goes into certain decisions. When working for a brand, there can be so many different interests or priorities that are all very important but some may take precedence over others, at different points in time. Things can get tense sometimes, but never take anything personally and always approach every interaction with humility and kindness.?

Miss EmpowHer: Tell us about a woman who has influenced your career and how their guidance has impacted your professional growth.

Bailee Dukes: There are so many women whose careers I admire. Diane Von Furstenberg, Naomi Campbell,?Phoebe Philo, Pat Cleveland, Amal Clooney, Tracee Ellis Ross, the list could go on and on. I think the similarities I see in these women are the longevity that they've had throughout their careers and the tenacity they've had to continue working on the things they are most passionate about. And that really inspires me. One woman in particular who has impacted me in my professional experience is Megan Bailey . She is currently the Senior Director of Client Relations at 路易·威登 . When I worked at LV, Megan truly became a mentor to me. She taught me to be organized, that knowledge is power and to always be aware of my worth in all situations. On top of that, she was one of the only other black women working on my team, so in her, I found a level of comfort that I hadn't had with previous superiors. I could ask her about work advice but we could also laugh about things we had in common. I hope to be able to do the same for someone else.

Miss EmpowHer: How do you handle work-related stress and pressure, and what techniques or practices do you use to maintain your well-being while pursuing a successful career?

Bailee Dukes: I'll admit, it's hard to have a perfect balance of everything all the time. There are times when I have to work a lot, whether it be because there's an event coming up or an important project I'm working on. What helps me is acknowledging how hard I'm working and also acknowledging that this is a temporary sprint and that afterward, I'll be able to have more time for myself. When I can and if there aren't any major projects going on, I try to silence my work phone as soon as I get home from the office and I also try not to check it until I get into the office the next morning. Sometimes, it is nice to get a head start on emails while I'm commuting to work, but I think it's important to be present at every moment. For example, if I'm at work, then I'm working and that is what's taking all of my focus. If I'm commuting, I want to focus on setting intentions for the day and having time to listen to my favorite music or podcasts. I try to also take breaks at work by taking a walk outside or grabbing a coffee with someone. It's a nice way to break up the day and get re-centered.

"Everything you want comes in due time and not all of your thoughts are true."

Miss EmpowHer: Can you share any lessons or insights you have gained from failures or setbacks in your career, and how you have turned them into opportunities for growth and learning?

Bailee Dukes: The biggest thing that I have learned is that everything you want comes in due time and not all of your thoughts are true. When I was in college in DC, I applied to a few fashion (and non-fashion) internships in New York for the summer and didn't get any of them. I remember being really sad in these moments and thinking, "There's no way I'll ever work in fashion in New York if I've never even had an internship in New York in the first place." Although this is how I felt, I didn't let it stop me from applying to jobs in New York after graduation. I think in fashion (and with many things in life), it's important to recognize that a rejection is not a failure. I can't even count the number of jobs I applied to after graduating before I finally got a yes. So with this mindset, I've learned to not worry so much about hearing no and to focus more on the moments where I hear yes and what brought me to those moments.

Miss EmpowHer: Can you share any strategies or tips for building a successful network and fostering meaningful professional relationships that have helped you in your career?

Bailee Dukes: The biggest things that have helped me (and are still helping me) build my network are kindness and curiosity. I think approaching every interaction with genuine kindness is the first step to making a connection with someone. It's important to remember that no one owes you anything, so when someone takes the time out to meet with you or give you guidance on a specific question you have, you should always remember to thank them for their time. I think it's also important to ask lots of questions - about peoples' careers, about what they're working on, or even about any advice they may have for you. You can learn something from everyone. If you're already in the industry, it's great to talk to people at your company, who are on different teams. There could be an opportunity for both of your teams to work together on something or you could even learn how they approach a particular task and then apply it to something your team does, or vice versa. If you're looking to get into the industry, LinkedIn is your best friend. Don't be afraid to reach out to people. The worst that happens is that they don't respond and you can move on to the next connection.

Miss EmpowHer: What strategies or tactics do you use for setting and achieving your career goals, and how do you stay motivated and focused on your objectives?

Bailee Dukes: I try to write out my goals for the year at the beginning of each year (or even at the end of the previous year). I'm also big on vision boards, so I try to look at the ones I create ever so often, to remind myself of how far I've come and where I want to be. I'm also constantly creating new vision boards (maybe for a specific project) because I get a lot of inspiration from pictures and that helps keep me motivated.?

Miss EmpowHer: What motivated you to choose your current career field, and what do you find most fulfilling about your work?

Bailee Dukes:? I think the allure of working with beautiful products and working for brands that impact people in such personal ways is what motivated me to work in fashion. When you ask people what their favorite fashion brand is or even what their favorite piece of clothing in their closet is, the stories that emerge from these questions are beautiful to me, because they are so personal. When people talk about why they love 香奈儿 or I get to see their reactions to the fashion shows or the newest collections, that's what I find most fulfilling.?

"Working from home has even made way for a new definition of a work-life balance."

Miss EmpowHer: Can you discuss any specific trends or changes in your industry that you see impacting careers, and how you are preparing to adapt to these changes?

Bailee Dukes: I think one of the biggest changes I'm seeing in my industry is a push for flexibility. The pandemic showed us that (with the exception of some jobs), much can be done from home (or from anywhere, for that matter). More and more, this is something that people are prioritizing when they are looking for a new job. Personally, I am super appreciative of this change and enjoy splitting time between working from the office and working from home. And I think it's really important and has even made way for a new definition of a work-life balance. Working from home does come with its challenges (I find that sometimes it's hard to define "working hours'' when I'm working from home) but I think it's a great opportunity for people to be able to make time for things outside of work (i.e. doctor's appointments, important errands, family time, etc.) and I hope it continues.

Miss EmpowHer: What advice do you have for individuals who are starting their careers or looking to make a career change, based on your own experiences and lessons learned?

Bailee Dukes: Never be afraid to make a change in your career. If something isn't working, you have to prioritize your own happiness. Try to seek out people who have made similar transitions and ask them for advice. But also, don't be afraid to forge your own path and document the ways that your previous experience can give you a unique advantage and perspective on the new experience you're looking for and use this as a selling point.

Miss EmpowHer: How do you approach professional development and continuous learning to enhance your skills and stay relevant in your industry??

Bailee Dukes: LinkedIn has been a great resource for me, but I also love The Business of Fashion , Vogue Business , and The Fashion Law . They all provide really relevant information on what different mergers mean, the backstory behind certain fashion lawsuits, trends that are happening in the industry, and sometimes, predictions on what's to come.?

Miss EmpowHer: Can you discuss any significant achievements or accomplishments in your career that you are particularly proud of and what you learned from those experiences?

Bailee Dukes: One of the projects that I'm most proud of was working on Virgil Was Here, Virgil Abloh's last fashion show. I had followed his career from the beginning and admired him so much. I think there are times that fashion can feel a bit pretentious and exclusive, but I feel that he truly sought to inspire everyone, regardless of whether they had a fashion background or not. With his death being so close to the show, it was extremely emotional to continue to work on the show, knowing that he would not be there to witness such an amazing moment but I felt honored to be a part of his vision and will never forget the way I felt when everything came together.

Miss EmpowHer: How do you balance your career ambitions with other aspects of your life, such as family, hobbies, and personal well-being?

Bailee Dukes: I try to be present in every moment. If I'm with my family or friends, then I'm with them, I'm not answering work emails or texts. If I'm working out, then I'm working out, I'm not listening to a work call. I'm not always perfect and I do end up "multi-tasking" sometimes, but I do try to set these boundaries for myself. It's important to recognize that there are certain moments (outside of work) when you get an email or message that you feel you have to respond to in the moment but you have to think to yourself:

1) Is this something that can wait until the morning or when I am working again?

2) Will the timeliness of my response affect the outcome of whatever is being discussed in the email?

3) Has the person in the email indicated that this is indeed urgent? Going through those questions has helped me a lot, when it comes to setting work boundaries, though I am still a work in progress.

Miss EmpowHer: Are there any specific books, podcasts, email newsletters, thought leaders/influencers, or training courses/programs that you would recommend for personal or professional growth?

Bailee Dukes: I'm currently reading Edward Enninful's memoir,? “A Visible Man”, and it has been so illuminating. I think everyone should read it. I also love the Business of Fashion Podcast, the Glossy Podcast, and Rich Little Brokegirls.

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