The Guide: Powered by Complex & InTheKnow

Client: Complex, InTheKnow
Year: 2021
Role: Creative Collaborator, Host/On-Camera Talent, Writer
Brief: Give viewers the seal of approval on high-end products and looks that just hit shelves, while telling viewers how and why they should grab these hot items before they sell out.

Created and hosted a 10-episode fashion and lifestyle series for InTheKnow and Yahoo’s digital platforms. Worked closely with Complex producers to shape each episode’s narrative and ensure content was informative, visually cohesive, and aligned to editorial strategy. Collaborated across creative and production teams to refine scripts, secure special guests and styling support, execute studio shoots, and uphold a consistent tone and brand identity across the entire season. Watch an episode below.

Creative Aim: Giving guys the tips and tricks to look and feel their best in every situation.

Structure & Deliverables: 10-episode series order to be completed in alignment with InTheKnow brand objectives and Complex Networks production best practices.
-Semi-weekly shooting schedule, completing two episodes per filming session at Complex Studios.
-Collaborated with producer partner to develop the content strategy across the season, ensuring we cover the gamut of men’s lifestyle priorities with an underlying and actionable product-driven sales strategy.
-Maintained digestible 5-minute episode formats, meeting modern consumer consumption patterns without sacrificing substantive content.
-Submitted weekly episode briefs with topical focuses, special guest notes, and styling requests.
-Conducted extensive trend research and product selection, curating both advice and product assortments tailored to our core audience.

Approach: To break down styling tips, decode tricky fashion concepts, and offer lifestyle advice for my audience in ways that are relatable and personal but also aspirational and attainable. My desire was to not just tell, but show: I put together a variety of looks on-screen and participated in a weekly style challenge putting the practices into play in real time to round out each episode. Maintaining my authentic voice and bringing my real-life experiences to the table was essential, so that other guys can see themselves in our content firsthand.

Celebrity interview with rapper Coi Leray

Notable Achievements:

  • Led informative interviews and fun conversations with our topic experts and celebrity personalities, including rapper Coi Leray, NBA/NFL celebrity stylist Dex Robinson, Fashion Designer Jerome Lamaar, and a few of my personal friends who are some of the most stylish and coolest people I know.

  • Got the privilege of spotlighting rising designers and creatives of color, empowering diverse voices and giving their work exposure to new audiences.

  • Contributed to on-set studio design and incorporated personal pieces into wardrobe and episode content, adding a deeper level of authenticity to my role as host.

  • Advised my guys on a variety of the men’s lifestyle elements they face on the daily, balancing out fashion tips with general advice to show up their best in every occasion. Topics include:

    • First Date Outfits

    • Work-From-Home Style

    • Off-Duty Looks (After-Work Attire)

    • Travel Style

    • Wedding Guest Dress Etiquette

    • Guy’s Night out

    • Workout Attire

    • Style on a Budget

    • Summer Style & Beachwear

    • Instagram-Focused Style Flexes

Product-driven content strategy in practice.

Watch below