Shakaila Forbes-Bell

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Shakaila Forbes-Bell

Shakaila Forbes-Bell is a qualified Fashion Psychologist, author, and presenter.

She became the first black person in the world to earn a Master’s degree in fashion psychology; her focus was the underrepresentation of black models in fashion media, the impact of that on consumer behaviour, and the idea of self-concept. Her Master’s paper would go on to be published in the International Journal of Market Research.

Since qualifying, she has collaborated with a range of high-end and high-street fashion brands, delivered workshops to industry professionals, spoken at keynote events, and been featured in publications including Marie Claire Magazine, Grazia Magazine, and The Times.

She is also the founder of Fashion Is Psychology, and released her bestselling book, Big Dress Energy in 2022.

Contact Great British Speakers today to book fashion psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell for your next event.

Type Of Talent

Consumer TrendsDiversityEquality, Diversity & InclusionFashion & BeautyFemale SpeakersHealth & WellbeingImposter SyndromeKeynoteMental HealthModerators & FacilitatorsPresentersSpeakerVirtual Speakers

More About Shakaila Forbes-Bell

Shakaila Forbes-Bell love for fashion and psychology saw her gain a Bachelors degree in Psychology, followed by a Masters from London College of Fashion in Psychology for Fashion Professionals. Since graduating, she has worked in marketing for fashion houses Lulu Guinness, Kent Wang, Meng, and Swatch Group, as well as for marketing software company Warisma.

Shakaila Forbes-Bell hire Fashion psychologist speaker book at agent Great British Speakers

PSYCHOLOGY OF FASHION

Since 2016, Shakaila has been working as a freelance Fashion Psychology, as well as editor-in-chief of Fashion is Psychology Ltd, the No.1 destination for everything you ever need to know about fashion psychology. Through her company, she runs workshops, works with international brands, contributes to publications, and provides keynote speeches.

There are many topics that come under the umbrella of ‘Fashion Psychology’, including:

– Mindful shopping

– How to use clothes to manage your mood and emotion

– How clothes can be a time capsule

– The link between physical sensation and emotions

– How style helps with identity formation

– The concept of ‘enclothed cognition’

– Social media’s impact on identity, wellbeing, and body positivity

– The impact of inclusivity and representation

– Retail therapy

– Attachment, clothing, and sustainability

MEDIA

Shakaila has become a regular face on our TV screens, particular on ITV’s This Morning during their styling segment, discussing the importance of colour theory and how it can affect our mood and self-confidence. She has also appeared on Lorraine, and Channel 5’s Britain’s Poshest Designer Outlet, and TK Maxx: How Do They Do It?

She has also contributed to a wide range of publications, such as The Telegraph, Stylist, Cosmopolitan, Forbes, Gamour, Harper’s Bazaar, Hello, Huffpost, The Independent, InStyle, Marie Claire, The Sunday Times Style, The Guardian, and Vogue.

In 2022, she published her book, Big Dress Energy: How Fashion Psychology Can Transform Your Wardrobe and Your Confidence, which shot to Amazon’s “Fashion & Style” bestsellers list.

Based on her book, Shakaila hosts the Big Dress Energy podcast, where she and a range of insightful guests discover how you can get some ‘big dress energy’. Topics include the psychology of lingerie, fashion through emotional intelligence, earrings as a gateway, style therapy, and fashion with a healthy mind.

CORPORATE

Shakaila has successfully built an impactful social media presence of over 37,000 online followers, where she created highly engaging content for her company and in her ambassadorial roles for companies such as Afterpay, and Depop.

Her previous events include:

– Stylist Live

– Global Fashion Agenda

– Password Conference

– EGI Woman, Rise Together Conference

– Password Conference

Shakaila Forbes-Bell hire Fashion psychologist speaker book at agent Great British Speakers

Calvin Klein: Interactive session about how our clothing choices can boost confidence, and the science of intentional shopping

Maybelline: keynote on the power of fashion psychology

Next #dresslikeaboss campaign: presented research on how clothes can be used to navigate imposter syndrome

YOOX NET-A-PORTER and The King’s Foundation: a workshop with six emerging designers on ‘designing for wellbeing’

Sainsbury’s TU: provided commentary on their ‘dress well, feel good’ campaign

Entain: internal keynote on keeping barriers broken

Northwest London Waste Association: collaborated on their Swish and Style campaign to promote their city-wide clothes swapping event

Global Fashion Agenda, Ambition to Action: a keynote on fashion psychology and the modern consumer

Cannes Lion Festival of Creativity: panel member for the psychology of the black luxury consumer; and a fireside chat on AI empowering creators and brands to elevate their content game

Ambrosetti, Venice Sustainable Fashion Forum: panel member on required global action on environmental and economic issues

She has also been the in-house fashion psychologist for Afterpay, and eBay x Love Island.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book fashion psychology Shakaila Forbes-Bell for your next live event or corporate video.

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Testimonials

There’s no one I trust more when it comes to understanding the various aspects of the fashion industry, and specifically, the power our clothes can have on our psyche.
Ellen Hoggard, Content Manager, Happiful Magazine

Shakaila is one of the most versatile, knowledgeable spokespeople we have worked with at Matte PR. Her breadth of knowledge of pop culture, fashion culture and fashion history gave us so much material to work with when ideating media pitches for our client, Afterpay. What’s best is that she can synthesise all these moving parts into perfect snackable morsels, acing the media interview every time. Shakaila brings so much context and meaning to fashion – an industry often mistakenly written off as frivolous. The brilliant Shakaila shows us why its’ not, and keeps us coming back for more.
Heidi Ruggier, President and Founder, Mattie PR

Loved having Shakaila Forbes-Bell lead a thought-provoking session for calving Klein and PVH associated, which included providing ‘how to’ tips. The research and insights shared, connecting mood, confidence, sustainability and who we want to be through our ‘second skin’ provided so much for self-refection and inspiration.
Rohit Burman, Sustainability, Social Impact, and Inclusion and Diversity Leader, PVH