What makes an image maker? Behind the scenes with the stylists who create looks for top celebrities

Q. Describe your dream project?

A. Idlewild was a dream project. I love to be taken out of my comfort zone.

Q. What advice would you give to an aspiring Black female fashionista?

A. Study. Make sure you surround yourself with people who know more than you do. Have passion. A good stylist or costume designer does not try to be bigger than the artist. You are an element, a part of something greater.

Q. What have you done in your career or in your life that you are most proud of?

A. Being 100 percent OK with the skin I'm in, knowing who I am and who I'm not, and being OK with both.

Shawn's Top 5 Tips

[1] Find your signature look.

[2] Work with what you've got.

[3] Don't aimlessly follow trends. Find your groove and stay in it.

[4] Be fearless. Dress for who you really are.

[5] Don't be afraid of bright colors. People of color look fabulous in color!

Stars she's SHINED on: Jennifer Lopez, Andre 3000, Erykah Badu, Terrence Howard, Omar Epps

[ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

It's not her signature close-cropped blond 'fro you notice first. It's not her caramel-colored long curvy body or even the armful of bangles. It's the actual light that emanates from Shawn Barton you can't miss. She takes over any room without imposing. She can't help it; she's just got it like that. Shawn loves the simple things in life like watching The Wizover and over, or observing people's swagger as they walk through the mall in new cities. She is a Sister who is genuinely happy with the skin she's in.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

june ambrose Stylist, Author, First Lady of Hip-Pop Fashion

"When you do something you love, you don't lose energy. I don't get tired, it physically just doesn't happen and l love what I do."

Q. What was your favorite toy as a child?

A. GrrAnimals Barbie! I was obsessed with it.

Q. Was there a moment in your life when you knew you had a mission, a purpose?

A. In elementary school I was giving fashion shows. I was making pocketbooks out of paper bags. I was hustling in elementary school.

Q. What was, or is, your biggest challenge?

A. What I'm most challenged with is resisting being typecast, being squeezed into an "urban" box. Because I am Black and have had great success with hip-hop artists, it's a struggle to stay in the middle. Some people believe I can't do other things. Even when I work with hip-hop artists, I create aspirational looks. I can do it all. That's why I say I'm "Hip-Pop." Hip and Popular.

Q. If you couldn't be a stylist what would you be?

A. I'd be a stay-at-home morn. Now, I'd be a fly one, trust me. I'd be really involved, active and totally enrolled in my children's and my husband's lives.

Q. What is style to you?

A. Style is when a person makes something their own. When you purchase something and you really "own" it. Style is when you super-exceed your organic self.

Q. Who are some of your all-time style icons?

A. I was obsessed with Diana Ross and Josephine Baker. I loved how they wore a garment that wasn't meant for them.