Elle Edwards is a minimalist who lives a life of romance surrounded by luxury. He radiates elegance and is the epitome of a fashionable gentleman. I’ve had the honour of following his journey through social media and have seen tremendous growth in his personal and professional styling. Elle is only 23 years old, but he has the soul of a classic 1950s gentleman. It was a pleasure learning more about his story, and I know you’ll be inspired too!
What inspired you to become a Creative Director and Image Consultant?
To make this potential long story short, I got into image consulting three years ago. I was inspired after making a name for myself as a fashion stylist, dressing fashion models for editorials. One of my peers pitched me the idea of dressing him for an upcoming job interview. Another wanted to be styled for a red carpet event. As I started to receive more proposals from my peers, I realized how fulfilling it was. What sealed the deal for me was seeing my first client’s life change for the better. This gentleman got a job, gained the confidence to ask a lady he fancied out for a date and landed an internship all within a week of our consultation.
Where did the name Elle Edwards come from?
The name came to me in February 2012 as a voice in my head, and the logo came to me about 20 minutes later. Elle Edwards is the 2.0 version of Samuel Peart, my given name. At that point in my life I was meditating a lot, and like a muscle, I refined that spiritual side so much that I began to receive visions and develop a strong intuition.
When did you discover your passion?
I discovered my passion when I became confident in expressing myself freely. I believe we all have our strengths and talents, but it’s not until we gain the confidence to act on them that we find our passion and experience fulfillment.
What’s your biggest accomplishment so far?
That’s a difficult question! I want to say that I am my biggest and greatest accomplishment. In a way, I’ve designed and programmed myself to become a better person each and every day. I am my own Picasso. I am my greatest work of art.
What does being an entrepreneur mean to you?
Being an entrepreneur means you strive to make a difference in the world. It’s a person who loves the process, who likes to solve problems and find solutions to better people’s lives.
How would you characterize your style?
I recently defined my style as classic British gentleman with an Italian flair.
Is there anyone you look up to in your field?
I look up to people like Tom Ford, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay Z, Kenny Burns, Troy Carter, LA Reid and more.
Do you recommend mentorship?
Yes, of course. I believe having a good mentor who is where you strive to be is very important and necessary.
Where do you see yourself or your business in the next five to ten years?
I see myself being an established entrepreneur living a limitless lifestyle and managing a multi-million dollar empire. I’ve planned out the next 20 years of my life to include the following:
- Luxury French and Italian inspired restaurant in Toronto
- Luxury spa resort
- Warehouse production studio
- Luxury wine brand
- Elle Edwards Luxury Fashion Collection
- Luxury Holding Group
- Elle Edwards scholarships
What advice would you give someone who is trying to pursue their dreams?
Develop your inner confidence. You won’t get far in life if you don’t have confidence or self-esteem. Work on understanding who you are and who you want to be. Work on becoming the person of your dreams. Educate yourself, and not just academically; there’s a lot to learn in life. Finally, place yourself in a positive environment to grow.
Where do you feel most creative?
I feel most creative wherever I am comfortable, which happens to be my home.
Do you regret any mistakes you've made?
I don’t live my life by doing something I’d regret. Those things helped shape me.
Why do you love what you do?
I love what I do because I get to inspire others by expressing myself.
Who (or what) is your motivation to keep going?
I know the name/brand/business of Elle Edwards has the potential to inspire and change many lives. I see myself positively inspiring others, creating jobs, and much more.
If you had the opportunity to work or collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?
Another difficult question! I would have to say Tom Ford. This man has been so impactful in an industry that’s constantly changing. I also feel that he’s a person who is deeply in touch with himself spiritually. I could go on and on.
What is the one thing you can't leave the house without? (Other than your cell phone!)
It would have to be my Louis Vuitton Key Cles (key pouch), which holds the cards I use on a daily basis and my keys.
Instagram: Elle Edwards