Shayla Simpson knows what it means to work with dedication and perseverance. Her career attests to her multi-talented credentials. She founded Shayla Simpson Productions, Inc. (SSP), a Special Events and Fashion Show Production Company twenty four years ago. Recently, she was appointed to the Board of Directors of FLAIR, Fashion Legacy Association for Industry Recognition, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to encourage, empower and provide educational opportunities and community programs in support of aspiring talent demonstrating achievement in the fashion industry. Shayla offers added value to FLAIR and a wealth of experience from working with reputable high-end clients through SSP.

 

Revlon, a leading client for seven years, utilized SSP services for trade show coordination, fashion styling, model casting and creative writing. As a model agent, SSP provided Revlon with many of the faces that graced their national hair advertising campaigns and product packages.

 

SSP had the distinguished honor of producing, directing and designing the 16th Annual Congressional Black Caucus Spouses Fashion Show in Washington, D.C. for 10,000 guests in two performances. Shayla had the privilege of serving as Mistress of Ceremonies for the Miss Black USA Pageant in Washington, DC for three years. She served as Host, followed by nine years as Director of the Miss World British Virgin Islands Pageant in Tortola, BVI, preliminary to the Miss World Contest. She also hosted the International Designer of the Year in the Bahamas and Miss Model International in both Martinique and Saint Maarten. The General Service Administration, Interior Department and Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C. have also called on her to conduct seminars on Personal and Professional Development for their new employees.

 

Her inimitable style of commentating a 2-hour show before a live audience without the use of notes kept her in the coveted spotlight for 16 years. As a Model and Commentator of the Ebony Fashion Fair, she was an interesting subject for the media. She was interviewed on Good Morning America annually for 14 years, AM Chicago with Oprah and Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee, just to name a few. In addition to traveling on the 200 city nine month fashion tour, she traveled to New York and Europe twice a year including Paris, Rome, Milan and London to purchase the fashions. She coordinated and directed photography sessions in Paris and Rome for fashion layouts, ads, EBONY magazine covers, television appearances, videos and commercials.

 

Shayla is a native of Washington, DC. She attended the University of Madrid, Spain for two years and Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education with a double major in Spanish and history. She is a consummate professional who looks forward to supporting the next generation of fashion talent through FLAIR.