Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Wright.
Hi Shelby, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Shelby Wright, and I’m a recent cum laude graduate from Old Dominion University (ODU), where I studied Marketing and Fashion Merchandising to marry my love for creativity with my analytical mindset. I’m a lifelong learner. I’m always learning new things, and I carry my knowledge on my back. As an artist I see beauty in everything. In fact, my mediums of art help me notice elements of the world. Through dance I see fluidity and elegance. Through sketching and painting I see color theory. Through music I see patterns in history. Through fashion I see personality. As a daughter of two talented engineers, my mindset is more analytical. I’m great at calculating equations but even better at calculating people. I’m an accommodating leader and friend to all. If it counts for music I love playing my acoustic resonator guitar for fun. I’m very involved in the DC events scene but fun fact, my best friend of almost 20 years, Adora, lives in Dallas and she introduced me to the events & nightlife scene. I pretty much owe my extroversion to her my pseudo-sister. We’ve had endless nights of laughter in Deep Ellum!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The biggest struggle I’ve had was falling victim to the post-grad hiring crisis in Spring 2026. I was a very established student undergrad. I’d built a strong network in the greater 757 area and the DC, Maryland, Virginia tri-state area. Unfortunately, all job prospects I’d lined up fell through. Instead of fulfilling the goal I’d promised my freshman year self of “walking across the stage into a job”, I felt like I failed. My entire post grad summer was spent reinventing myself and learning from my actions. Constant reassurance that “I hadn’t done anything wrong” or “I still deserve to celebrate my accomplishments”. I had no inkling of joy despite completing the biggest milestone in my life. Thankfully, in august I was able to start a new position with a well-known foundation that can completely pivot my career. Soon after, everything made sense. The summer of 2026 was my season of humility. I’d experienced many wins in my life that I hadn’t felt the impact of a loss. “Kissed the ground” as I call it. I needed to know how it feels to not have direction because I developed a grit that will not allow me to enter that headspace ever again. I could lose it all again, but the difference is I’ll know how to dig myself out.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I fell in love with Marketing at ODU, researching the art of persuasion down to the cerebral functions of the customer, while also learning the broader functions of business including operations and finance. As part of my marketing research, I began content creation in the Fall of 2025 to study engagement tools across different social media platforms.
Through interning with the marketing departments of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (2024) and the National Museum of the American Indian (2025), I developed a deep understanding of cultural sensitivity and storytelling, skills | aim to integrate into my work to ensure representation and authenticity in every project.
As a visionary, I thrive bringing ideas and concepts into reality. Most visibly through my four leadership roles in ODU’s annual Fashion Program show, from model and designer to lead stage manager and collection designer, where I debuted five upcycled looks in Spring 2025, and through my work in ODU’s theater costume shop assisting the head designer across multiple productions. In 2025, I worked with the Barry Art Museum to help bring their new exhibit, Barbie: Out of the Box, to life. As part of the exhibit, our team hosted a fashion show showcasing Barbie’s style through the decades. I was brought on as a featured designer, model recruiter, and stage manager, working alongside a few other students from the fashion merchandising program to build the show for the greater Norfolk community. I designed six looks inspired by dolls released between 2000-2009.
As part of my study abroad trip to Paris, this research stems from a question I often ask myself in fashion spaces: Why Paris? Why did this city become an incubator for Black artistry? Early migration has left lasting effects on culture sharing. In March of 2026 I wrote a study about just that. This project investigates the cultural, political, and economic factors that drew Black creatives abroad. Figures sought freedom from racial discrimination in the United States and found in Paris an environment that allowed them to experiment, perform, publish, and refine their artistry without the burden of American segregation. Though their migration was not isolated, it signaled a broader pattern of transatlantic movement that reshaped artistic communities and aesthetic production.
I’m currently interning with the U.S. Government here in DC. Although, it’s a huge pivot from my previous roles. In this position I can be a catalyst for change and make an impact on local policies. I’m an artist at heart but, I wouldn’t be a creative without the muse of my community. This role allows me to protect it.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The characteristic that is most important to my success is my humility. Even though it took a minute to get there, I’m not afraid to ask for help or admit when I cannot handle something. In turn, this speaks to how strong my support system is. The people in my life carry through every stage; successes and hardships. I think it’s very important to talk to the people around you even when things aren’t going well. I wouldn’t have been able to cross the hardest bridges in life if I hadn’t let my folks in to help me. It’s important to remember that you are loved and you’re never alone. Whenever I go through hard times, especially my post grad summer, I’m able to come out stronger and use my experiences as a steppingstone to my success!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eree.my.canva.site/shelby-wright-portfolio?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAUGjwdwZG9mAmZkaWQWUNu7JQfDAsVqSDLkF-aYGofdWbT2Z2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp_YnQJT-6l3yq_VM9I6dcfpXJ3shptI-cyeSaJPM400rgd8YIYIbCgS38uc4_aem_DLr6i_3g2c5G4HF_iVfHjQ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelbygievaan?igsi=czh5MWpzZWxodng0&utm_source=qr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelby-wright-bb11b0210?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@shelbygievaan?_r=1&_t=ZT-99Qj7KdNQPV
