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

A. My grandmother pressing my hair in our home in St. Vincent. Saturday was pressing day. She had "growing hair hands." My grandmother was my hero.

Q. Was there an event or moment in your life where you knew you would be doing something creative?

A. At Christmas [my grandmother] would paint the whole house; the floors--everything. She would make new curtains and then an outfit for me out of the leftover fabric. She showed me I could make and do anything.

Q. Did you always feel like a leader or was it something you had to work on?

A. I'm a born leader.

Q. If you couldn't do what you're doing, what would you be doing?

A. I am doing what I was meant to do. However, my mother ... wanted me to go to law school. She thought she didn't work that hard for me to go into "service." But what a service, huh?

Q. What would you say has been your biggest challenge as a West Indian Black woman in what is historically a White male industry?

A. I don't think it's been as hard for me as for Black Americans. I have an accent, and people love accents. In the West Indies, I was considered beautiful ... I knew I was Black and strong. BUT I'm Black, female and gay, you would think I had three strikes against me, but I used it to my advantage. Somehow men did not find me competitive.

Q. Do you think women have difficulty trusting other women with their beauty?

A. Women still struggle with trusting other women. When I started, I went straight to the top Madison Avenue salons. I wanted to learn how to do all types of hair. I remember going to a top salon wanting to assist and they said, "We don't do your type of hair here." I said

I don't want to learn my hair. I want to do all hair. I went to every salon on Madison Avenue until I got hired.

Q. What do you think beauty really is and who do you think possesses it?

A. Character. I think it's the character in people's faces that makes them beautiful. I think Alek Wek is beautiful. Naomi Campbell is still No. 1; she's still my girl.

Q. How did you find your own "visual voice," your unique look?

A. Back to my grandmother, she grew up in Panama. She had all these beautiful clothes that I would play dress up in.

Q. You were a pioneer in one of the chicest business districts in the world. What advice would you give a woman of color who aspires to be like you?

A. Wherever you're working right now, look around; see what works and what doesn't. Write it down. Keep a file. Learn the business. Think of your life as your business. Always have an assistant, bring people up with you.

Q. What's next for Edris?

A. Of course I see a product line. I'd like to open satellite salons, partner with other businesses.

Q. If you could change any step in your journey what would it be?

A. I wouldn't change anything. I believe in "failing forward."

Q. What moment wouldn't you change for all the money and fame in the world?

A. Meeting my partner of 10 years.

Edris' Top 5 Tips

[1] Wash the scalp thoroughly. The scalp is like the skin on your face; it needs to be cleaned well and often.