Mariah's Perihelion: "Everything is Pink"

While it's easy to spot one of Tom Ford's newest global marketers on her instagram through frequent fragrance tips and fierce 'fit pics--often never complete without signature lenses and heels, Mariah Moorer is not new to taking up space in every aspect of her life. I learned this on my first day of college as I had arrived a few days early for a minority student mentorship program as I made my way to my group leaders. Standing out amongst their sea of gray work shirts stood the then-senior who had opted to accessorize with one of the brightest pink headbands I'd ever seen complete with a smile and voice to match. When she called out for us to be loud and brave as she asked for our names while she wrote on a clipboard in fuzzy pink pen, I had a feeling this was a lady who has never taken the word "no" as a command she should oblige to. Though her commanding presence felt intimidating to a girl who was just asking for permission to use the restroom two months before, I soon learned dominance was just one layer amongst many that sat on top of her soul of magnitude. While Mariah was an unforgettable figure in my first year of college, she soon graduated and I got to see how true my original theory was through our connection in the social world. Every few months I'd think of her, check her accounts, and see she'd found a new part of the world to write her signature on--in fuzzy pink pen, of course. Back in October, I got the chance to catch up with Mariah for what I thought would be a quick chat in between her hectic work schedule but actually turned out to be one of my longest calls to date full of laughs, brilliance, and the importance of faith:

S: What is your name?

M: I am Mariah.

S: How old are you?

M: 24, which is my first time saying that!

Captured during "American Girl" party

S: How did you spend your recent birthday?

M: I had a birthday party at the American Girl store in New York! *laughs* I'm truly a big kid.

S: Where are you from?

M: I am from Macon, Michigan. It's about an hour from Detroit.

S: Do you feel like your hometown has impacted your path in any way?

M: Not really, because there weren't many programs centered around the arts where I'm from. In high school, I was fully emerged in programs centered around Black excellence like debutant balls and the junior league of a Black sorority, which was something that was unique to me as a person from my hometown since I'd have to travel to Detroit for that. The arts were alive around Detroit but mostly in a musical sense, not a fashion one. My grandmother did work as a seamstress so she was one of the closest connections I had to the fashion world in my youth.

S: What is your comfort show?

Pictured in Manhattan, NY

M: My favorite show is A Different World and my favorite character on that show is Whitley Marion. My dorm room in college was fully pink with a cartoon photo of her in it! *laughs* I get compared to her sometimes, but I'm not nearly as mean.

S: What does a week in your life look like?

M: Every week is different! The simplest divider I plan around is alternating between a bills week and a shopping week. During a bills week--like the one I'm in currently--I make sure I pay all the bills I need to; I also tend to be more consumed with work and making sure to leave a lot more open space in my days for work emergencies. As a Virgo I have to have a life on a schedule that is very meticulous or else I won't function! *laughs* Mr. Ford could call emergency meetings at any time and I'd have the time set aside already by planning minimally. A shopping week is a little more fun because it usually consists of me going to Target or Zara multiple times throughout the week to indulge a bit. No matter the week, a few things stay consistent: I always deep clean my house and pick out my outfits for each day on Sundays because of how unpredictable things can be in New York.

S: If you met a child that mirrored your younger self, how would you spend the day with them?

M: The first thing I'd do is give them a big hug and then assure them there's absolutely nothing wrong with who they are or who they're becoming. I spent a large part of my childhood undergoing psychological abuse from someone close to me in which I was often taunted or criticized for doing things that "normal" kids didn't do. No, I didn't want to spend the day riding bikes or getting dirty, I'd rather stay to myself or go shopping--I'd want that kid to know that there is nothing wrong with the way she carries herself or what she likes, it's just who she is. It's who I am. After my father lost his eyesight early on in my childhood, I was his secondary caretaker next to my mother. I had to be strong and developed a giving nature early on that is reflected in the way I treat my little sisters and god sisters now that I'm older. Meeting the kid version of me would include a lot of listening: "How do you want to spend the day?" I'd want to celebrate this child for her differences and indulge in the fact that this particular day is all about what will make her happy because her happiness is important, and if she's like the younger me, reassurance would be useful in that moment.

Captured guest speaking at Kent State University

S: In the years I've known you, I can hardly recall every leadership role I've seen you in because of how vast your presence is and how much those roles tend to differ from one another. How do you maintain the core of who you are while navigating vastly different spaces?

M: Christ. *laughs* And being truly authentic in that and, in turn, truly authentic in who I am. It's hard for me to talk about me, myself, without the mention of Christ because its such a pivotal piece of who I am. But honestly, I pray before every single thing I do--it doesn't matter how big or small the accomplishment is. It's my goal to leave whatever I'm a part of or whoever I'm talking with positively impacted in some way. In going about that goal, I've noticed it works best when I just show up as me; sure there's people I look up to, but I could never feel comfortable mirroring anyone. I don't show up as anyone but me. Doors didn't open for me until I was truly comfortable in who I was because I knew it was a reflection of Christ. We can go to brunch or go out and kick it but it's gonna be Mariah that shows up to either place. When you try to be other people that's really when things go left, and it's creepy! *laughs*

S: So you're saying you aren't creepy you're comfortable?

M: Yes, exactly! *laughs* And I don't make people feel creepy.

S: If you had to get rid of every article of clothing in your closet besides one, what would you keep?

M: My black tweed blazer. I can wear it with anything.

Captured during previous position, L'oreal USA

S: How do you cope with hardships?

M: This is something I'm still working on doing better everyday. Not to say things don't get hard for me, but when they do, barely anyone would know because of the shell I retreat into until it passes. There are few people that can get me out of that shell, my mom being one of them. The two of us are so connected it's crazy! She'll call and say "I had a dream about you." And then I just begin to cry! *laughs* Following these moments, I turn to scripture, which speaks of the importance of cleansing the conscience after bad things happen to you. I give myself a day to feel my feelings, cleanse them, and carry on. Life waits for no one.

S: What three words would you use to describe your personal style?

M: Affluent, classy, and traditional.

S: As a marketer--if provided an unlimited budget--what would your dream campaign look like?

M: I would love to do a campaign based on a capsule collection for Chanel; full of archive pieces. I'd center it around the discovery of tweed and hone in all the way back to when she first started and travel that journey up until now. The evolution of tweed is just--it has my heart.

Pictured with Mother (right) in Honolulu, HI

S: If it's the biggest day of your life, which fragrance are you reaching for?

M: "Royal Princess Oud" by Creed. I'll wear it on the day I'm featured on Forbes' 30 under 30 list.

S: What five songs have you been listening to this week?

M: "On My Mama" by Cash Kidd, "Wit it" by Drego, "Top Dolla" it's on the CMG the label, "Good Morning" by Bishop William H. Murphy , and "Kulosa" by Oxlade.

S: Who or what keeps you motivated?

M: My mom and my little sisters.

S: What has been your proudest work experience thus far?

M: I know people would probably expect a fashion related answer but it truly isn't. When I first got to New York, I worked in real estate for a bit and played a big part in the development of two apartment buildings in the city. It's just a great feeling when I'm on my way to work, or out somewhere and to walk past those buildings and know I'm the reason a lot of these aspects are in existence today, it's a concrete representation of something in my mind and it'll be there for a long time. It's a big deal for me.

Captured during current position, Tom Ford Beauty

S: Who is your favorite designer?

M: I'd say overall my favorite brand is Mui Mui.

S: You've reached a certain level of success that is widely seen as remarkable for someone your age, what do you feel you've done differently from the masses to get here?

M: I'm not scared to go get it. I'm not afraid to walk up to someone important and simply say hi! *laughs* You have to ask for what you want; and once you ask, back it up with the work. Faith without work is dead and believing anything is out of your reach will keep it out of your reach. When I first got to New York I lived in hotels without even telling my parents because I had faith I'd find my way. I'm not a person who listens to people who say I can't do anything because of the way they choose perceive the world. I prefer to have my dream and then ask God for favor in achieving it--either he will now or he will later but I still work. When I hear "You need a back up plan" I say "No, you needed a backup plan."

S: When did you feel a role in the fashion industry was right for you?

M: One of the earliest memories I have is announcing at my kindergarten that I would be the principal of a fashion school. *laughs* So I always knew I wanted to be in the industry, I just had no clue in what capacity until the lightbulb went off in my head all the way at the end of my college career. I was in a middle ground of not knowing where it would make sense for me to go; I hated the thought of buying for companies or working PR and just felt stuck. A friend of mine asked "Why aren't you in marketing?" And I turned inward and realized I should be; I chose to turn away from all the doubts I had for a moment and make a choice. I switched my major one semester before graduating--Insane, I know!--but I'm glad I did.

Captured during Kindergarten Graduation

S: If the world were yours for one month, what would it look like?

M: Ugh! Everything would be pink! *laughs* But on a serious note; I'd get the current abortion ban reversed, grant rights to women in the Middle East. Honestly, I'd just want everyone to be happy. There wouldn't be serial killers in my world, or rapists, or racists. Women would be doing whatever they want to do however they want to. Mental health checks would begin in elementary school and everyone would go shopping all the time whenever they want. I know it's a bit scattered, but truly I'd want to do it all! *laughs*