Naomi Mdudu on the Dress that Started It All
On her blog The Lifestyle Edit, former fashion journalist Naomi Mdudu spotlights female professionals and their career stories. Offline, she coaches women entrepreneurs on how to launch and grow their own businesses. And somehow, she still finds time to look all pulled-together and glowy. Or, in the case of her Haystack Story, extra sparkly.
Name: Naomi Mdudu
Occupation: Founder of The Lifestyle Edit and business coach to female entrepreneurs
Handle: @TheLifestyleEdit / @NaomiMdudu
Location: New York & London
What’s the star of your Haystack Story?
A gradated sequin dress I picked up from ASOS a few years ago.
Do you still have it?
I still have and I think I always will. It’s funny—it’s far less expensive than other things in my wardrobe but it’s one of the few things I don’t think I could ever part with. It just brings back so many amazing memories.
Tell us about it.
It’s essential a glitter ball in dress form. It a maxi dress covered in waves of gradated block-coloured sequins from pink and purple through to silver.
Why is it so perfect?
As someone who lives in classic shapes and neutrals – in my world, navy is considered colour—I just love how unabashedly bold it is. It’s impossible not to feel like a badass wearing it.
If this item could talk what would it say?
Go get it girl!
When did you get it?
I got it almost three years ago. I wore it for New Year’s Eve. It’s that night that I made a vow to leave everything I knew in London to make the move to New York. Two months later, I took the plunge and met the love of my life a week later. Not bad, huh?
Naomi and a friend ringing in New Year's Eve in 2015
Who did you have a crush on then?
Omari Hardwick from Power.
What did your Friday nights look like?
I was in the midst of starting my business so my Friday nights consisted of late nights, yoga pants and Netflix on in the background…
If someone gave you $20 to spend, what would you have bought?
A bottle of the best Chablis I could get my hands on. Chablis is my weakness.
What was your favorite snack?
Brie, Camembert – basically all things cheese!
Who were you then, and who are you now?
I think in most ways, I’m the same but I think that making the big leap has made me far more confident in myself. Now, I know I’ll always be okay, no matter what I’m up against. I’m now comfortable feeling uncomfortable and walk towards moments like that I know it’s a sign I’m growing.
Illustration by Marisa Balmori
