Yoro Newson
5(ish) Questions for is a chance to discover and learn about St. Louis Creatives, Community Champions, and, well, just interesting people in and around our city. It's a deep dive into what they love and where their passion lies. It's an opportunity for all of us to see our region from a different perspective. This written interview is a peek into their lives and their outlook on St. Louis.
Meet Yoro, a self-taught jewelry designer, cinema & personal wardrobe stylist, and community builder from North St. Louis whose passion for fashion and storytelling led to the creation of platforms like Black Creatives in the Lou™️ and Fashion Friendzy™️. Yoro empowers underrepresented artists through visibility, mentorship, and creative collaboration. Rooted in purpose, her work is inspired by her father’s entrepreneurial spirit and aims to build a lasting legacy of impact, connection, and authentic expression.
Photos provided by Yoro Newson..
Tell us about yourself. What gets you out of bed every morning?
As a product from the North Side, in the heart of St. Louis, where creativity flows as freely as the Mississippi, Lives Yoro—a self-taught jewelry designer, wardrobe stylist, and community visionary. I’ve spent years weaving style with purpose, from the sparkle of gemstones to the glow of runway lights. What began as a passion project grew into something extraordinary: Black Creatives in the Lou™️ and Fashion Friendzy™️, two platforms where artists, designers, and dreamers find a stage and a spotlight, and collide with a broad spectrum of fashion enthusiasts and admirers. I help local Artists with placement and visibility for their platforms and businesses.
But my journey isn’t just about fashion—it’s about connection. With a flair for curating gallery-style showcases and shopping experiences, I caught the attention of local media and even Hollywood. One chance meeting at a wardrobe closet sale landed me a role as a costumer for a major film.My story is a testament to what happens when preparation meets divine timing.
Above all, I live by a quote that I coined: "We were all created by the Creator to be creative—so live creatively™️."
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
The fact that I get another opportunity to be of service to someone, and that I get to see a new day that’s never been seen before.
How did you get started?
I got my start working alongside my father as young as 5 years old—the first entrepreneur I ever knew. He was a philanthropist (fed the homeless), carpenter (built a work room in our basement), fisherman (taught me how to fish), farmer (grew food in our backyard), and metalsmith (showed me how to make fishing sinkers). He made things with his hands, and I wanted to be just like him. And the most amazing part? He did it all while holding down a full-time job.
He was my greatest inspiration. From him, I learned the value of hard work, creativity, helping others, and working smart. His example planted the seed for everything I’ve built today.
What impact are you making or hope to make?
The impact I’m making—and hope to continue making—is about more than fashion.
I’m building spaces where creativity is celebrated, where local talent is seen, and where people feel empowered to show up as their full, authentic selves. Through Black Creatives in the Lou™️ and Fashion Friendzy™️, I’m creating platforms that spotlight overlooked voices, especially those from underrepresented communities.
I want people—especially young artists, single moms, and those who feel unseen—to look at my journey and say, “If she can do it, I can too.”
Whether I’m styling a runway, producing a showcase, designing jewelry, or helping someone take their first step into the creative world, I want to leave people inspired, confident, and connected. That’s the legacy I’m working toward: one where creativity opens doors, builds bridges, and changes lives.
Who has been your greatest mentor, and what was the most valuable lesson they taught you?
Susan Block didn’t just teach me about entrepreneurship —she taught me about grace, grit, and generosity in business. Watching how she built her brand with integrity, style, and a deep commitment to community was incredibly inspiring.
The most valuable lesson she taught me was this: “Your reputation is your résumé—protect it, nurture it, and let it speak before you even enter the room.”
Susan believed in me early on, gave me opportunities to grow, and showed me what it looks like to be both powerful and kind. Her mentorship reminded me that success isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how you do it and who you lift up along the way.
What are some of your goals for the next year, or the next 5 years?
Over the next year, my focus is on growth, visibility, and deeper impact.
I want to expand Black Creatives in the Lou™️ to reach more cities, spotlight more talent, and create new opportunities for collaboration between local creatives and national platforms. I'm also working on developing workshops and mentorship programs to support emerging designers, artists, and entrepreneurs—especially young women and creatives of color.
Looking ahead to the next five years, my vision is even bigger.
I see myself opening a creative hub—part showroom, part studio, part community space—where fashion, art, and entrepreneurship can live under one roof. I want to write a book, produce a fashion documentary, and continue working in film as a costumer and creative consultant. Most importantly, I want to keep being a bridge builder: helping others walk into their purpose while staying rooted in mine.
Success for me is not just about elevation—it's about elevation with impact.
How do you push through creative blocks or periods of low motivation?
Oh this is simple. Pray, explore, and rest.
What are some of the most important things that our audience can do to support you?
There are so many meaningful ways the audience can support me and the creative work I do:
Show up and share.
Attend the events, showcases, and pop-ups I curate—and bring a friend! If you can’t be there in person, share the flyers, talk about the creatives involved, and help spread the word.Support local artists and entrepreneurs.
When you buy from a local designer, share a post, or refer someone’s work, you’re investing in someone’s dream. That support keeps the creative community alive and thriving.Collaborate and connect.
If you have a platform, space, or opportunity that aligns with what I do—reach out! I’m always looking to build bridges and create mutually beneficial partnerships.Believe in the vision.
Sometimes, the greatest support is simply encouraging others to live creatively and believe in what’s possible for themselves. When you live inspired, you inspire others—including me.
Describe a project or idea (not necessarily your own) that has inspired you. Why?
One project that truly inspired me was The Black Fashion Museum, originally founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane. It started as a modest collection in a Harlem brownstone, preserving the work of Black fashion designers who were often overlooked in mainstream history. Her mission was to make sure our stories, our style, and our contributions were never forgotten.
What moved me most was her vision and determination. She didn’t wait for permission—she created a space where our creativity could live, be honored, and be remembered. That project reminds me that legacy isn’t built by waiting for opportunity—it’s built by preserving culture, telling our stories, and daring to take up space.
It inspires the work I do every day: to shine a light on local talent, to uplift creatives, and to create platforms that celebrate us—boldly and unapologetically.
What inspires you about St. Louis?
What inspires me about St. Louis is its resilience, its raw talent, and its untapped creative energy.
This city is full of dreamers, makers, and visionaries who are doing big things with limited resources—but unlimited passion. There’s a unique grit here, a determination to rise, create, and push culture forward. From the art galleries to the underground fashion scene, St. Louis is overflowing with talent that deserves to be seen and celebrated.
What inspires me most is that real community lives here. People show up for one another, support local, and take pride in their roots. That spirit drives everything I do—because if we can build something powerful right here, we can inspire the world.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
French Fries
What’s one hobby or activity you’ve recently discovered or deepened your interest in?
Lately, I’ve deepened my love for storytelling—especially through writing and spoken word.
I’ve always had a creative spirit, but recently I’ve been leaning more into sharing my personal journey, whether on stage, in intimate settings, or through creative writing. It’s helped me connect with others on a deeper level and reminded me that words have power.
“Storytelling has become more than a hobby—it’s a healing tool, a platform for advocacy, and a new way for me to inspire others to live creatively and authentically.”
Photos provided by Yoro Newson.
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