Mississippi State alumna Haley Gilbreath has always been into fashion.
From sporting matching clothes and pacifiers as a young child to earning the Best Dressed senior superlative in high school, finding the right look comes natural for the Memphis, Tennessee, native. Now working as a fashion editor for Condé Nast’s renowned men’s fashion magazine GQ, she’s curating trends and inspiring style across the nation.
“My mother tells me I would change outfits four or five times a day when I was really young. Then in high school, I was the student who came to class in a full look, even if it meant standing out. I began to express myself through clothes,” she said. “I started to realize being in the fashion world was what would make me happy. Living in New York City and working in this industry keeps life very interesting.”
In her role, Gilbreath manages the confluence of personalities, brands, styles and the creative process, ensuring photoshoots not only happen from a production angle but also hit the high editorial standards set by the publication.
“Sometimes we’re working with someone who has impeccable personal style, and we want to draw that out and give it our own twist. For those newer to fashion, we might begin the styling process by showing a rack of clothes to try on and figuring out their likes and dislikes,” she said. “The goal is always to keep it natural and fun—to make talent feel comfortable and confident. Sometimes people surprise themselves when it comes to what they’re open to and willing to try.”
Along with the fast-paced and ever-changing nature of the editorial schedule, Gilbreath said she enjoys observing trends and putting her own unique touch on the day’s looks.
“We observe everything going on in fashion—from attending fashion shows to streetwear. The key is to form your own ideas from these observations,” she said. “I sometimes forget I’m playing such a role in trendsetting. If I think about it too much, it begins to sound like a lot of pressure.
“Each new project can be so different from the last one. Whether we’re working with athletes, a young musician or a legendary actor, it’s up to us to bring a character to life,” Gilbreath added. “This creative process is what I love most. It’s exciting and intense, and there are always a lot of moving parts to it.”
Gilbreath began life as a Bulldog in 2012 when she enrolled as a fashion design and merchandising major in MSU’s School for Human Sciences. In addition to learning the ins and outs of the industry in class, she gained insight through study abroad in London, England, and while serving with the MSU Fashion Board, a student-group dedicated to all things fashion—from modeling, hair styling and makeup application to show production, lighting, photography and editorial coverage.
After a summer internship in New York City with luxury fashion retailer Moda Operandi, Gilbreath and her mother opened the doors to a Florida-based clothing shop in 2016, the same year Gilbreath earned her bachelor’s degree from MSU. While she enjoyed running the women’s beach-themed boutique, her New York City experience remained on her mind.
“Being able to get looks right off the runway, style and photograph them, and publish online for Moda Operandi—that was my first introduction to the editorial side, and I fell in love with it. I didn’t know you could do that for a living,” she said.
“Florida was great, but I knew I wanted to get back to New York City. My opportunity came about unexpectedly in 2018. I didn’t exactly have a plan or much time to make one, but it was Condé Nast—that’s every fashion girl’s dream. I packed a bag, booked a one-way trip and had to figure it out. It really was God’s timing.”
Gilbreath said she’d like to continue growing in her role, “own the creative process” and garner a larger voice in fashion and style. To Bulldogs looking to start a career in the fashion world, she said students should get involved in campus groups and organizations, build their networks, be persistent in pursuing their goals and stay true to themselves.
“You never know where your peers are going in the world, which means you never know where your network can take you. On this journey, you must remember who you are and carry your values with you,” she said. “Sometimes things just fall into your lap, and you just go with it. I thought it would take me years to get somewhere big like Condé Nast. The way it came together early in my career was such a blessing.”
Story by Carl Smith, Photo Submitted