Keep it Positive, Sweetie

Episode: From Harvard to Fashion Bomb!!!

Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Claire Somers, Founder of Fashion Bomb Daily
Released: February 8, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation with Claire Somers, the founder and force behind Fashion Bomb Daily. Host Crystal Renee Hayslett and Claire discuss Claire’s journey from Atlanta (by way of Brooklyn) to Harvard University, the drive and passion that shaped her career, and how she carved out her own lane in fashion media. The conversation explores themes of longevity, representation, ownership, resilience, and the unique challenges Black women face as entrepreneurs and visionaries—all while navigating and influencing an industry often reluctant to make space for new voices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Claire’s Upbringing and Path to Harvard

• Roots and Childhood: Born in Brooklyn, raised in Atlanta from age nine. Claire describes “Old Atlanta” — before the influx of reality TV — as a vibrant, accessible haven for Black creativity and culture.
  Quote: “I remember going to Lenox Mall, seeing Usher... TLC would just be shopping. It was just different. A cool time.” (04:36)
• Academic Rigor & Inspiration:
  • Raised in a family where education was non-negotiable (“My mom is a teacher... reading and writing were the culture of our house.” 05:23)
  • Attended Westminster Schools in Atlanta; was motivated to excel academically after a school honor roll ceremony highlighted the lack of Black representation.
  • Her brother, a Harvard alum, inspired her to apply and guided her through the process.
    Quote: “For me, I was like, something clicked where I was like, I want to be up there. I’m not okay, in general, in life, with not being exceptional.” (06:11)
• Harvard Experience:
  • Experienced imposter syndrome, culture shock (06:40–09:51).
  • Valued the friendships and networks made there and developed a strong work ethic.

Entry into Fashion & the Rise of Fashion Bomb Daily

• Fashion as Family & Destiny:
  • Fashion roots: mother stitched her clothes, grandfather was a master tailor (10:44).
  • Interned at Upscale magazine’s fashion department by chance, which launched her trajectory.
• Early Career and Industry Barriers:
  • Navigated multiple internships in New York, often unpaid or underpaid (12:02).
  • Despite Harvard credentials, couldn’t break into established fashion magazines; faced obstacles and gatekeeping (13:14–13:56).
  • Rejection from Vogue: “They told me they did not want to see me because I was not a candidate that they would be interested in.” (13:16)
• Birth of Fashion Bomb Daily (2006):
  • Motivated by advice from a friend to start a blog.
  • Initially wrote about herself until readers started sending style questions (14:44).
  • Recognized the lack of coverage in mainstream fashion media for Black and Brown audiences, filled the gap with research and authenticity.

The Long Road: Perseverance, Access, and Impact

• Early Growth and Recognition:
  • Within two years, began to be recognized in public (“Hey, you can have my seat. You’re Fashion Bomb.” 16:05)
• Gatecrashing the Industry:
  • Inspired by Kimora Lee Simmons’ “Fabulosity,” Claire crashed New York Fashion Week shows, becoming one of the first bloggers to do so (16:57–17:52).
  • Shared moments: “If this is the last fashion show I go to, I’m going to make sure I take pictures of it.” (17:33)
• Persistent Barriers:
  • Continual struggle for full access and industry recognition (18:03–20:07).
  • Acknowledges that both systemic racism and sometimes not “asking the right way” were factors.
  • Recent wins: Gained press access to the Met Gala and Golden Globes only after formally applying (18:53).
• Cultural Impact:
  • Fashion Bomb Daily uplifted Black-owned brands and creators, filling industry voids.
  • Claire hopes her success influences broader inclusion (“I hope Fashion Bomb Daily was a part of the reason why they’re starting to shift and be more inclusive.” 20:07)

Mindset, Ownership, and Evolving the Brand

• What She’s Most Proud Of:
  • “Just overcoming a lot of adversity... refusing to accept no, creating my own seat at the table.” (25:32)
  • Tenacity: Outlasted many peer brands by adapting and embracing new platforms (Instagram, etc.).
  • “When you want to quit, just take a nap… but not quit.” (26:19)
• Scale and Teamwork:
  • Growth from a solo blogger to an international team.
  • Learned to delegate and let go of perfectionism out of necessity (29:47–31:35).
  • Values authenticity over polished perfection: “I cannot be obsessed with perfection… At the end of the day, we put our readers first.” (31:16)
• Ownership’s Significance:
  • Deep belief in “owning our story and our narrative” (32:25–33:42).
  • Cites Black Wall Street legacy; underscores how representation shapes coverage and culture: “How Vogue might cover Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton show is different from how we would cover it.” (33:01)

Personal Life, Balance, and Looking Forward

• Personal vs. Brand Identity:
  • Many still don’t know her personally, conflating her entirely with Fashion Bomb Daily (33:58–34:49).
  • Plans to focus more on her own projects, personal brand, and possibly a podcast (“This year is the year of the pivot… More books, more projects, just, like, do more Claire stuff.” 34:49)
• Self-Care Struggles:
  • Admits neglecting self; tries to work out and sneak in small pleasures but recognizes she needs to take more breaks (35:46–38:32).
  • Enduring sense of purpose supersedes urges to quit (“I have not completed that assignment yet.” 38:18)
  • Relaxes with TV, reality shows, and YouTube — “mindless entertainment.”
• On Burnout and Responsibility:
  • Does not “burn out”—she takes breaks, but is driven by the lack of mainstream Black fashion media (“We don’t have a Black Vogue… I’m just, like, holding myself to the task that you have to keep going. Even if you’re tired, take a break, take a nap, and just keep it going.” 39:48)
• Expanding the Brand:
  • Sees print magazines as “done”; envisions growth via TV/streaming, more live events, and broader creative projects (40:21–41:36).
• Upcoming Book:
  • Excited for her next book, a follow-up to her self-published 2016 memoir; intends to get a publisher for the new work, which captures new milestones and fresh perspectives (“It’s really like a part two.” 43:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Motivation:
  • “I’m not okay, in general, in life, with not being exceptional.” — Claire Somers (06:11)
• On Industry Challenges:
  • “At Vogue, they told me they did not want to see me because I was not a candidate that they would be interested in.” — Claire Somers (13:16)
• On Gatecrashing Fashion Week:
  • “I had no idea that me and my digital camera were like the first bloggers at baby fat… If this is the last fashion show I go to, I’m going to make sure I take pictures of it.” (17:33)
• On Resilience:
  • “Refusing to be bitter, refusing to accept no. Creating my own seat at the table… just the fact that I didn’t quit.” — Claire Somers (25:32–25:49)
• On Ownership:
  • “It’s important for us to own our story and our narrative… the way that we see the world is different. And that’s okay.” (33:01)
• On Self-Care:
  • “When you want to quit, just take a nap, maybe learn to rest, but sleep on it, but not quit.” (26:19)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:43 | Claire’s Atlanta upbringing & “Old Atlanta” nostalgia | | 05:23 | Academic expectations, Westminster school, being exceptional | | 06:11 | “Not being okay with not being exceptional” | | 08:40 | Harvard experience & imposter syndrome | | 10:44 | Fashion in family; early jobs, chance internship in fashion | | 13:14 | Industry barriers, Vogue rejection, lack of opportunities | | 14:44 | Birth of Fashion Bomb Daily; discovering audience needs | | 16:05 | Public recognition; moment she realized brand was ‘taking off’ | | 16:57 | Gatecrashing Fashion Week; being a pioneer blogger | | 18:03 | Ongoing lack of industry access & navigating gatekeeping | | 20:07 | Industry starting to shift towards inclusivity | | 25:32 | Proud of overcoming adversity, tenacity, and lasting the distance | | 27:02 | Expanding from content to a multifaceted business | | 29:00 | Growing a team, learning to delegate, value of authenticity over perfection | | 32:25 | Importance of owning narrative and serving Black communities | | 34:49 | Plans for personal brand, new projects, the “year of the pivot” | | 35:46 | Admitting self-care challenges and scheduling time for herself | | 38:18 | Sense of calling—“my job is not done” | | 39:48 | No Black Vogue—her mission and resolve | | 40:21 | No plans for print magazine, but ideas for TV, red carpet coverage, and community events | | 43:34 | Upcoming book—“part two” memoir, more personal storytelling |

Overall Tone

The conversation is uplifting, candid, and peppered with humor and sisterly camaraderie. Both host and guest share honestly about setbacks, insecurity, and the grind it takes to succeed—especially as Black women—in spaces that often lack precedent or allyship. The episode brims with practical wisdom, actionable inspiration, and the reminder that perseverance and faith turn “no’s” into new lanes.

In Short:
This episode is a masterclass in resilience, authentic leadership, and cultural ownership. Claire Somers’ journey from Harvard to industry trailblazer is both blueprint and balm for anyone looking to make a lasting impact while staying true to themselves—and keeping it positive, sweetie!