Fashion Gxd Magazine - Latoya White
Written By: Samantha Lee
LaToya White also know as Its Toya White , is a dynamic entrepreneur, fashion producer, and community leader whose influence spans business, fashion, and personal development. As the President of Fredericksburg Fashion Week, she creates transformative experiences that uplift designers, models, and beauty professionals. She is also the visionary behind the Melaninaire Club, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women through self-care, healing, and personal growth. Additionally, she leads S.E.L.F. (Smile. Elevate. Live. Forgive), a nonprofit focused on youth mental health and social development.
Beyond her philanthropic efforts, Toya is a respected business and life coach, a dedicated philanthropist, and the powerhouse behind multiple ventures, including LaTour Leon Clothing and The Jolie Digest Newspaper. With an undeniable impact in both fashion and community empowerment, Toya White is more than a leader—she is the definition of a business mogul.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED::::::
Exclusive Interview with Toya White: A Visionary in Fashion, Business, and Empowerment
1. What inspired you to launch your brands, and how did you bring your vision to life?
Fashion has always been my way of telling stories, celebrating culture, and empowering others. In 2010, I launched LaTour Leon Clothing to create a brand that blends high fashion with purpose, ensuring every piece makes a statement of confidence and individuality. Bringing this vision to life required strategic networking, securing funding, and staying true to my creative instincts. But I knew fashion was more than just clothing—it was about creating a movement.
That passion led me to launch Fredericksburg Fashion Week (FXBG VA FW) to provide a platform for designers, models, and creatives to showcase their talents on a larger scale. Beyond fashion, I also founded The Melaninaire Club, a community where women embrace healing and confidence both on and off the runway through themed photoshoots, motivational quotes, and conferences.This recent theme for the Melaninaire Clubs photoshoot was BLACK GIRLS R US. The Black Girls R US photoshoot is a campaign organized by the Melaninaire Club , showcasing the power, beauty, and unity of the Black community. The photoshoot is a statement of empowerment, representation, and excellence, celebrating Black women through high-fashion imagery.
My work with youth inspired me to create platforms for children to express themselves and navigate social pressures, mental health challenges, and leadership development. This mission led to the launch of the S.E.L.F. Campaign, which focuses on supporting children’s emotional well-being.
Wanting to ensure Black voices and stories were heard, I created Jolie Digest Newspaper, a publication dedicated to amplifying African American news and culture worldwide. Every brand I’ve built has been about more than business—it’s about impact, empowerment, and creating lasting change.
2. How do you stay ahead of trends while maintaining a unique brand identity?
Fashion constantly evolves, but authenticity is timeless. I stay ahead by blending research, cultural influences, and personal creativity. I watch industry trends but never let them dictate my brand. Instead, I focus on storytelling—each business under It’s Toya White LLC reflects empowerment, boldness, and individuality.
Collaboration is also key. I work with other creatives who bring fresh perspectives while aligning with my brand’s core mission. I believe in giving opportunities to help others stay empowered in their craft. By combining creativity with purpose, I ensure my brands remain innovative while staying true to their identity.
3. What challenges have you faced in the fashion industry and business, and how did you overcome them?
As a Black woman entrepreneur, breaking into the fashion industry came with challenges—lack of funding, access to major platforms, and navigating an industry that often overlooks diverse talent. But rather than letting those barriers stop me, I found creative solutions.
I mastered the art of securing funding, built strong relationships, and created my own opportunities—like launching Fredericksburg Fashion Week to showcase independent designers and talent. I made it my mission to uplift others, ensuring that the next generation of entrepreneurs has access to the opportunities I had to fight for.
Beyond fashion, I wanted to amplify voices and create safe spaces for healing, creativity, and representation. That’s why I built platforms like The Melaninaire Club, The S.E.L.F. Campaign, and Jolie Digest Newspaper—to ensure people had a voice and a space to thrive.
4. How has social media and digital marketing impacted your business growth?
Social media has been a game changer. It allows me to connect with my audience in a real, authentic way. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have helped me build brand awareness, drive sales, and engage with a global community.
But it’s not just about visibility—it’s about impact. Through digital marketing, storytelling, and influencer collaborations, I’ve been able to expand my brands beyond fashion and into movements that inspire change. Social media has given me the power to reach people worldwide, and I use it to not only showcase my work but to educate, empower, and elevate others.
5. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to break into the fashion world or chase their dreams?
Stay authentic, consistent, and fearless. The industry is competitive, but your unique perspective is your superpower.
Invest in your craft. Learn the business side—branding, marketing, and securing funding are just as important as creativity.
Network with the right people. Build genuine relationships and surround yourself with mentors and collaborators who align with your vision.
Don’t wait for opportunities—create them. If a space doesn’t exist for you, build one. That’s how I launched Fredericksburg Fashion Week and my other businesses.
Stay resilient. Every challenge is just a setup for a major comeback. Keep pushing forward, and never lose sight of why you started.
6. Can you share a defining moment in your journey that shaped your brand’s success?
One defining moment was when Fredericksburg Fashion Week gained national recognition. Seeing designers, models, and creatives come together to showcase their talent—especially in an industry that often overlooks smaller markets—was powerful.
Sharing our story on major platforms like Fox 5 Good Morning Washington, being invited to Channel 7 Good Morning America, and even capturing the attention of Jennifer Hudson were moments that reinforced my belief that you don’t have to be in a fashion capital to make an impact—you just need to create your own lane.
Another pivotal moment was securing major business funding, which allowed me to scale my brands without relying on personal finances. That shift changed everything and gave me the ability to empower even more people through my businesses.
7. What future projects or collaborations can we expect from you and your brand?
There’s always something big in the works with me! Right now, I’m focused on expanding Fredericksburg Fashion Week main runway event and also going out the box and incorporating a high-energy Go-Go Fashion Show called "Pulse of the Runway"—a fusion of music and fashion unlike anything seen before.
We’ve also collaborated with Rappahannock Goodwill FXBG on a TV show called "Whose Style Is It Anyway?"—where participants have 10 seconds on the clock to recreate a celebrity look that my team and I select. This show can be viewed on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, bringing fashion challenges to a global audience.
Beyond fashion, I’m also revamping a building that will open in August 2025—a space dedicated to fashion, business, and community empowerment. And, of course, LaTour Leon Clothing will continue to release bold, purpose-driven collections that redefine fashion.
FB- LaToya White // www.itstoyawhite.com // TikTok- It's Toya White // IG- @Itstoyawhite
By Pilar Scratch in Entrepreneur cover for Fashion Gxd Magazine
34 pages, published 4/14/2025
