Zerina Akers, who has styled stars like Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion, Latto, and more, is pouring her sartorial expertise into a new business venture. Recently, the award-winning stylist and costume designer launched Saint Helen’s House, a multifaceted social club and home of The Show Must Go On, a high-end fashion rental showroom.
Located in San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, Calif., the home is stocked with approximately 5,000 pieces, ranging from gowns to cocktail dresses, shoes, bags, daytime attire, belts, outfits curated by Akers, and more. The showroom’s racks and shelves are filled with a combination of vintage pieces the stylist-designer has collected through the years, recent runway capsules, streetwear fashion, and pieces from up-and-coming independent designers.
“We even have the $30,000 Gucci cape Beyoncé wore when she was pregnant to a basketball game. It’s not the one she wore, but it’s the same style,” Akers told WWD, explaining how the showroom offers rentals on pieces previously seen on some of her star clients.
However, what makes The Show Must Go On so unique is its range of clientele. Wanting to create a space for budding stylists and costume designers who may not have the requisite connections to pull from large fashion houses, Akers conceived the showroom as a means of making luxury and vintage fashion accessible. In addition to being an industry resource, the storefront also promotes sustainable shopping options for non-celebrity women.
“Initially, when I had the idea, I thought it would really cater to stylists and costume designers,” she explained. “But I decided to open the doors to the public, and that really changed the game. We’ve met such phenomenal women; such an awesome community of C-suite-level women and celebrities that come to us directly.”
She continued, “To be able to supply and support young stylists is a really interesting place to be in, just to be able to…
Read the full article here
