TAYLOR TOMASI HILL

Name: Taylor Tomasi Hill

Instagram: @ttomasihill

City: Dallas, Texas; New York, New York; San Francisco, California

Intro: I got my start in magazines, cutting my teeth at W Magazine before heading to Teen Vogue and then Marie Claire as Style Director. I was lucky enough to be in the industry during its heyday of major shoots and big budgets, so it was a blast. It was also where I learned my super-power: discovering niche and emerging talent. I sought them out for the pages of the magazines and later in the following phases of my career as Creative Director for Moda Operandi and brick-and-mortar fashion retail, and then eventually in my current role as Creative and Fashion Director of THE YES. (A new fashion shopping app that offers a super personalized experience, but more on that in a bit.)

What are the lessons you’ve learnt in lock-down: It’s been a relief to see the industry finally realize that if you’re talented, you don’t have to live in the city to have a great career. I was always nervous that I’d be overlooked or wouldn’t grow to my full potential if I made a stop along the way in Dallas. But here we are, and I love it! We have space and a big backyard where I can enjoy gardening—something we’d miss out on in the city. Before the pandemic, I was on a plane every other week and missing so many important moments with my family. It’s no fairy-tale now, as I’m in front of a computer all day long, but I get to be home when my son rings the doorbell every afternoon after school. That moment and what comes after is priceless.

The other realisation I’ve come to during this time is we can never again be complacent about who is leading our country. I will never be apathetic about politics or silent in fear.

What do you miss most / what are you looking forward to: The three of us traveling again. We made a conscious decision to have one child so we could show him the world and grow alongside him. It’s time to add some more stamps to the passports!

What have you learned about yourself this year: I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my work. I’ve always known I like things done a certain way, but I fully realized this while working on the branding and launch of THE YES. It’s worth it to be passionate and vocal about what you believe in and I’m so proud of what my team has created.

Any projects you have been working on that you would like to talk about? Launching THE YES has been my 24/7 project. It’s the first shopping app of its kind that actually learns from users who YES and NO items while they shop. The more you YES and NO, the more THE YES tailors the shopping experience to you, ranking products you’ll love at the top. Every part of the app, even search, is personalized. The technology behind it is both ground-breaking and complicated, but luckily I get to focus on the customer experience, creative, brand partnerships, social media… you know, the “fun” stuff.

Any thoughts for the new year: Predict the unpredictable. Expect the unexpected. If there’s anything we learned this year is that we can’t take the moment for granted, because who knows what’s around the next corner.

What are you wearing and why were you drawn to it: I am craving dressing for an evening out on the town. This will be my first look post pandemic.

Taylor wears: Taylor wears the Su Dress in black lace with ostrich feather trim.