Six Rising Stars in the CapNY Fashion Industry

Updated: July 2025

If you ask, or simply look, around – it wouldn’t shock you to learn there hasn’t been much of a fashion scene here in the Upstate New York area. But if you sought out any of the up-and-comers who are paving a fashion path of their own, they’d tell you there is a lot going on to actively change how Upstate New Yorkers dress, shop and express personal style.

  • An Industry On the Rise

From retail shop owners, to designers, vintage thrifters and personal stylists, we rounded up six rising stars in fashion from across CapNY and beyond. While creating job opportunities and new outlets for people to shop and support the local fashion industry, this group is focused on boosting the narrative about Upstate fashion in their own individual ways. Allow me to introduce you to…

  • Taissha LaReau, Wardrobe Consultant and Stylist

Age: 33
Raised in: New York City
Living in: Albany

How did you get interested in fashion?

After college, I moved back to NYC and held a few positions with media agencies and digital publishers. During my time there, content creation and influencer marketing grew fairly quickly. I realized I wanted to pursue a career in fashion. I knew it would be challenging because I didn’t have much experience, so I started a blog and leveraged social media to showcase my creativity. Fast forward to present day, my approach has shifted to help people build functional wardrobes that will last.

What are the services you offer?

As a wardrobe consultant and stylist, my goal is to help people achieve their desired look by recommending styles and curating a wardrobe that is functional, fits their needs, and tailors to their lifestyle. I’m a firm believer that less is more, so while working with clients, my mission is to educate them on the benefits of buying smart and letting go of items that no longer suit them so they can make room for new ones. I work with a diverse range of clients and various body types while offering virtual and in-person style sessions. My services range from closet editing and repurposing, to personal shopping, building a sustainable wardrobe, closet organization, photoshoot styling, and more.

How has the CapNY community supported you?

I was recently part of an interview with local media entertainment company, Two Buttons Deep, for an episode of fashion-focused podcast, Buttonista. We chatted about my transition from NYC, my business, and how to build a functional wardrobe. I’ve been able to make new connections with local photographers and small local businesses. For anyone aspiring to pursue a career in fashion, I would recommend networking within your local community. It could potentially give you access to opportunities and provide you with insight on how to grow your business.

  • Nicole Nicholas and Randi Poillon, Haute Messes in Dresses

Name: Nicole Nicholas
Age: 40
Raised In: Niskayuna
Currently Live: Clifton Park

Name: Randi Poillon
Age: 38
Raised In: Stony Brook
Currently Live: Clifton Park

How did Haute Messes in Dresses get started?

Growing up, we both had a love for fashion. When we met as adults, we instantly connected through our love for fashion and became fast friends. After years of talking trends, stalking sales, and many shopping trips while pushing baby strollers, we decided to share our knowledge and expertise as personal stylists.

We started offering various session-based styling services, designing graphic tees and custom tie dye sets to be sold online. Once the pandemic hit, we saw an opportunity to change the way we share our love for fashion…We purchased a tiny house that we turned into a mobile shopping and styling boutique!

What are the services you offer?

On the racks customers can find Haute Messes In Dresses’ signature graphic tee-shirts and fashionable face masks as well as sweaters, dresses, jackets and denim. We felt it was important to move beyond our graphic tees and offer staple pieces, versatile outfits with great quality and fit.

Haute Messes In Dresses believes the mobile shopping and styling boutique will provide a great alternative for those who prefer to avoid crowded shopping malls and plazas.  

How has the CapNY community supported your efforts?

From the time we announced the mobile shopping and styling boutique, we have seen support from people who have been following us from the inception of Haute Messes In Dresses, and from those who just found out about us. Our customer base is all local. We would not be as successful as we are now without the support of these local women.

  • Tory Minkel, Supernatural

Age: 32
Raised in: Saratoga Springs
Currently living: Saratoga Springs

What’s your background, and how did you arrive at opening your own boutique?

My first official “fashion” job was in high school as a sales associate in the women’s department of a local landmark – the Saratoga Shoe Depot. After graduating college, I moved to New York City and worked in the industry. I quickly learned New York wasn’t for me, so when my lease was up, I packed up and headed to Los Angeles. Throughout my time working in the industry, my long-term career goals became much more clear: I needed my own shop. After a couple years in L.A. I came back to Saratoga.

I’ve always had a progressive view of the industry, and I used that to create the concept for my boutique. I was deeply affected by a fashion sustainability course I took during my senior year. My biggest takeaway was that if a consumer is getting something for a low price, someone or something somewhere is being exploited.

What are the services you offer?

I opened my shop, Supernatural, in October 2020 (yes, during a pandemic, social justice movement, and highly polarized political climate). Supernatural is a consciously curated lifestyle shop tucked away in the heart of downtown Saratoga Springs. We feature eco-friendly and sweatshop-free womenswear, ethically produced accessories, and plant-based, clean beauty and wellness products. I aim to connect like-minded shoppers with brands that care more about the product they produce than the profit they make.

Where would you recommend someone interested in fashion locally goes for advice or inspiration?

My best advice for anyone wanting to break into the local fashion scene is to get a job in boutique retail. Due to the nature of Saratoga being a summertime tourist destination, we have a unique fashion and retail market that I feel requires hands on experience to understand. Most shopkeepers have acquired unique skills and experiences over the years and are happy to share their knowledge with you.

  • David Reali, LYF Supply

Age: 35
Raised in: Schenectady
Currently living: Troy

How did you get into fashion?

Fashion has always been part of my being. I tend to be more inspired by style, how one uses style as a tool to express themselves –and I take inspiration from everywhere, including pop culture, hip hop and music and from my own friends and family. I always felt like how you presented yourself was very important especially as it pertains to first impression and reputation.

What is LYF SUPPLY and what does your brand offer?

LYF SUPPLY (LYF is an acronym for, “Love Yourself First”) is an embroidery company that supplies quality, custom embroidery to brands, companies and creatives. We offer high quality pieces ranging from hats, BLEACH’D 1 of 1s, UPLYFTED (upcycled customs) to full cut and sew pieces with slogans and images embroidered to reinforce the self love message, which is our brand’s foundation. We take pride in using colors to curate a mood.

How has the CapNY community supported your efforts?

Many local, small businesses use LYF SUPPLY for their embroidery services and recommend us to other people they work with. Superior Merchandise in Troy has been a huge supporter of ours as well as Phases (formerly known as AMC Jewelry).

Where would you recommend someone go to educate themselves on fashion locally?

While there isn’t much of a true fashion industry here locally (yet), I think it is important for people to find other ways to educate themselves. Mission Accomplished has a fashion program, but most of mine have come from self-education AKA Youtube University and Skillshare.

  • Kara Curtin, DINER

Age: 26
Raised in: Rotterdam
Living in: Albany

How did you decide to start DINER?

I’ve always been interested in fashion as a general idea, but in 2017 I combined a love of clothes with a hunting-for-treasure obsession and started my vintage business, DINER. DINER is an online shop focusing on all things vintage.

I say that half the reason it’s called DINER is because there’s something for everyone! The shop offers clothes mostly, but bags, books, jewelry, shoes, housewares, etc., are occasionally given a time to shine on the site.

How has the CapNY community supported or been part of your efforts?

There are some local girls that have been repeat shoppers from day one; that kind of continued love and support means so much to a small business owner. I’m also lucky to feature DINER items at Olive & June Floral Co. in Albany, year round, and during seasonal pop-up shops. It’s always nice to collaborate with another local female-owned shop and get support from others in the community that way, too.

  • Aniah Rose, Model

Age: 25
Raised in: Latham
Living in: Guilderland

How did you become interested in fashion and modeling?

Modeling and fashion wasn’t my dream until four years ago, after I made my way through high school and earned a Bachelors and Masters degree in accounting. Modeling was always a topic of discussion [what girl didn’t either watch or want to be on America’s Next Top Model] but I never pursued it until the perfect opportunity crossed my path when a local photographer asked me to do a photo shoot, which ended up coming out great! I was approached by a photographer from CapNY who was already active in the fashion community. We set up a three look shoot in Washington Park (Albany) and it came out surprisingly great. The exhilaration of shooting and seeing the outcome made me want to learn about the fashion industry, and I wanted to see my face on the cover of magazines. There’s no turning back on that goal now!

What modeling have you done and what are you available for?

After that initial experience, I’ve walked in New York Fashion Week, Atlantic City Fashion Week, Miss NY USA, landed paid advertisement gigs, and even became a published model. It’s so beautiful how much my passion for fashion and creative directing has grown. Right now, my goal is to sharpen my talent, freshen my portfolio, and pinpoint my long term motive in modeling. It has been a side hustle, since I’m an accountant as well, but I don’t plan on letting up anytime soon. It’s been tough with the pandemic but my motto is #alwaysworking. Whether it’s thinking of a new theme, helping a girl break through her camera fright, or scheduling future shoots, I’m always working on how to further brand “Aniah Rose” while setting a footprint wherever I go.

How has our local community supported your dream of modeling professionally?

My supporters, as well as the long term colleagues that I’ve met throughout CapNY, have been who keep me in this hustle. All we want to do is eat, sleep, create. With that being said, I do remain available during these times for bookings! I love to help businesses and individuals in any way that I can whether it’s me being in front of the camera or directing a photoshoot.

Photographer credit: Tyler Ki-re, Dan Shade, KPhotoZ
Make up artists: Tali Made Beauty
Hair: Lurissa Lawson

  • Written by: Taylor Rao

David Reali LYF Supply: CapNY Entrepreneur

David Reali is a 34-year-old, Schenectady born creator who now lives and loves Troy, NY. He is the creator of LYF SUPPLY and UPLYFTED, clothing brand and his passion project.

LYF SUPPLY is a brand that has evolved from a hat and embroidery brand to a lifestyle choice, representing Reali’s guiding principle: garments that reinforce the idea of self love.

David Reali of LYF SUPPLY shares his experiences as an entrepreneur. Reflecting on working from home, and the impact of COVID-19 on work and his vision for a makers Troy Night IN.

  • Tell us more about LYF SUPPLY

Even if the items themselves don’t refer exactly to self love, hopefully those who are familiar with my story know that this brand operates and lives on the confidence I have in myself and my ideas and my passion for creating opportunity and expressing yourself via art in some form.

I recently began a brand extension called UPLFYTED, thrifted items, upcycled into 1-of-1 pieces. They include LYF SUPPLY signature embroidery in addition to some really cool transformations.  I also provide embroidery for many of the local businesses in Troy that sell their own DOPE A** MERCH. So check them out (Superior Merchandise, Little Pecks, Joan Kelsey Silver Lining, YESFOLK TONICS, POOR DEVIL PEPPER CO., etc).

I am also currently working on music. I won’t go too in depth on that yet, but I will have some really great tunes lined up for everyone’s enjoyment.

  • What does your workplace look like, and is it working for you?

I currently work in my home in a very, very small room. I have two machines now. For my larger orders, I take my equipment to Electric City Barn in Schenectady. It has a lot of room and I get to socialize with other creatives and the staff there.  That’s what I miss when I’m working from home constantly. Working from my home gets to be a bit stressful because my workspace only has room for one embroidery machine. I plan to invest in a commercial embroidery machine that will require a lot more space than I have.

Electric City Barn has a space for screen printing and I am currently learning that skill. Long story short, my space is working but I really need to be in a bigger space that accommodates everything. I am blessed though because I could still be working in an office, which I dread. So shout out to the universe for putting me in position.

  • How are you coping with the reality of the pandemic?

Reality hasn’t set in yet. The lack of socializing has made it very difficult to focus on work and creativity. It reminds me of being a kid again though. I was the only boy in my family and also the youngest. A lot of my time was spent creating stuff and ideas, typically with my wrestling toys, etc.

Back in the 90s, the best part about things not being as advanced as they are now was our need to create our reality within our limited amount of space.  And we had time available due to curfews, bedtime, etc. So in a way, I’ve been going back into my mind finding that kid that would re-enact the battle of Fort Wagner from the movie “Glory” in his living room. Or plan out an entire Pay-Per-View wrestling event with all of my wrestling toys. That always gave me something to look forward to when I got home from school. I would be in school thinking about my makeshift wrestling event literally all day (lol).

With these circumstances, I try to allow myself to be that kid again, but with access to the internet, an embroidery machine and a sense of self awareness that may not have existed then. Also, lots of Facetiming with Fam and my girlfriend!! 

  • Have you started adapting and/or innovating your business model to operate under these conditions? Please explain.

That is still something I am working on. Luckily my operation has been via my online store so sales haven’t been really interrupted. But I am aware that after all of this madness is over that LIFE will be different so LYF must become an evolved version of itself.

I have proposed the idea of TROY NIGHT IN which is a take on Troy Night Out but in this instance, creating a one stop shop for people to have access to every creative person, small business, etc. in the form of a live feed which gives a direct to consumer, pop up-like event using social media. The plan is to do pop-ups once a month, independent and collaboratively, and free from any groups or affiliations that we would have to get permission to do so but the Coronavirus happened.

Having a place online where people can get direct contact and access to the creator and their services and goods would be very convenient and user friendly for the consumer and help continue to build the creative economy here in Troy despite the circumstances. I am open to suggestions as to how to make that work effectively.

  • How have you seen the local creative community band together to support one another during this time? Do you feel like there are additional resources/tools/strategies that you need to succeed under this circumstance?

Honestly, it is amazing at how fast everyone came together to support one another during this time. It has been great seeing people and other businesses really show support for one another by posting each others stuff. I hope that all of this love and generosity continues when this is all over because this showed us how resilient we can be and also how much we actually do love and need each other. As far as support, I have seen a lot of different business grant opportunities by way of Facebook and other mediums.

Understanding your consumer is always important. A lot of my customers may have lost their jobs or have their income cut, so I have created discounts on products and reduced the cost of embroidery services for regular clients because I know it’s hard and I rely on them for my well being. I also had to take some time and rid myself of shame of selling items despite the fact that we are in quite difficult times. I’ve still gotta make a living and while doing so, I help when and where I can.

We are only week two into this and I haven’t suffered enough yet to offer anything outside of what I have already done pre-Coronavirus, but I would say to reach out to others, get help when needed. Allow yourself to evolve, even if it means letting go of something/someone/somewhere to make room for what you need.

  • Are you thinking about ways that you’ll change the way you do business in the future?

Absolutely. With all of this social distancing, it makes me really miss the ability to be around people. I get inspired by people randomly. Whether it’s a beautiful face, or song by a local artist I accidentally stumbled into while getting a drink or my current friends, I miss being inspired by people so I want to use that inspiration and include people in the communication aspect of LYF SUPPLY. I want to tell the story better and more clearly, from a multi perspective instead of just my own because as I said, I am inspired by people and LOVE.

  • Do you see any long term changes to the way people work coming out of this situation?

HELL YEAH! Honestly, that’s all I have been thinking of.  Especially the workers who are deemed ”essential.” I really hope they are getting paid what they are worth now and moving forward. Hopefully during this period, people can find a passion or something that they can freelance at and create opportunity for themselves.

2020 has been dookie so far but I do hope that people who have the spirit for entrepreneurship take a chance. No, take several chances, to see the world from a different perspective and become something more than what they may have settled for.

Sitting in an office for eight hours a day for five days a week is becoming obsolete. This time is proof of that, because if it weren’t the case then work that needed to be done in an office setting would be on complete pause right now.  Work is not on pause because it doesn’t have to be. For those with office jobs who are working from home, take time to reflect and think about who you are and what you want for yourself. There is so much opportunity available but there is so much more opportunity that has yet to be created and discovered. Now’s the time to explore.

  • Can you share a final note of positivity with our readers?

Bet on yourself. Invest in yourself. Love yourself. Hold yourself and others around you accountable. Always be curious. Go after more than what is just available to you because there is a great chance that there is always more than what others are offering. No one is going to do it for you so you have to do it.

For those who are transitioning from a job to their own thing, the hours you’re putting into what you’re working to get away from should eventually cease and not exceed the hours you put into what you’re working towards. ESPECIALLY IF YOU LOVE IT!!

3 CapNY Thrift Shops for Socially & Eco Conscious Consumers

Fast fashion is unsustainable, both environmentally and ethically. So, writer Mia Nilo developed two criteria for seeking out CapNY thrift shops: 1. Finding local shops that directly benefit the community 2. Choosing shops that catered to her budget

  • Style Encore

My top pick, Style Encore, is a locally owned and operated franchise. They’re affiliated with other second hand shops in the area, including Plato’s Closet, which caters more to brand name clothes for teens and young adults, and Once Upon a Child, which carries kids clothing.

With the boutique-ification of thrifting, some stratifications of access have emerged to appeal to different markets. When you begin to think about your fashion philosophy, be honest with yourself. Consider your impact. If you’re buying second hand and used clothes not because you need to, but because you want new looks and would like to cut costs and move away from fast fashion, Style Encore fits the bill.

Style Encore
22 Clifton Park Rd. #78, Located in Clifton Park Center)
M-S 10:00AM-8:00pm, Sun 11:00AM-5:00PM
518-630-5730

  • For Pete’s Sake

For Pete’s Sake is operated by St. Peter’s Hospital, which is right across the street. It actually used to be in its basement like an underground Macy’s, with everything from prom dresses to home goods. Shortly after moving to Albany from California for grad school, I was looking for things to set up my new home. My roommate was from Georgia and didn’t even have a good coat for the impending wet and windy autumn. We washed up at For Pete’s Sake like lost souls in need of supplies and boy did it deliver.

For Pete’s Sake
583 New Scotland Ave, Albany 12208
M 11:00AM-3:00PM, W-F 10:00AM-3:00PM, S 10:00AM-2:00PM
518-525-1107

Mia got these small yellow baking dishes for a dollar each and got both these clear tea cups for a dollar.
  • A Second Chance Thrift Shop

This thrift shop is a fundraising venue for The American Italian Heritage. Museum & Cultural Center in Albany. They have a deep collection of clothing of all kinds, including a boutique room with higher end items. In the back room, they have endless jeans, all for $4 each. As one person who wrote a review said, “You have to see it to believe it.”

A Second Chance Thrift Shop
1229 Central Ave., Albany 12005
T 10am-2pm, S 10am-2pm

  • More on Thrifting & Fashion
  • Written by: Mia Nilo

Mia Nilo is an overeducated, self-identified hustler hell bent on undermining the status quo through overly opinionated think pieces and reviews written from the perspective of a queer, woman of color Millennial. Attended Oxford about as long as Gatsby did and has settled for an Upstate New York life despite her Southern California heart. When not writing, hiking, or wine tasting, you can find her at book club or a local protest. Read more of her work on  www.miagnilo.com/blog. You can also find her cooking or latest scrabble game on her Insta @mia_bitesoflife and see what’s currently making her laugh the hardest on her Twitter @bitesize_rant.