In Conversation With: Danielle Combs

Agbobly custom sweater, Vintage Blazer, MINDBLOWN denim and lace airbrushed skirt, Saks Potts metallic yellow pants, Marc Jacobs silver platforms, Paco Rabanne pink paillette handbag, Private Policy silver metallic handbag, Danbi mood ring gloves, Dames rings, Vintage Jewelry 

The sartorial chameleon championing emerging designers and unabashed self-expression. 

Since the day she was born, Danielle Francesca Combs has been a fashion icon. The accomplished Los Angeles-born journalist has always possessed a colorful and eccentric sense of style. From her fuchsia colored hair to her extensive archive she’s collected over the years, she is in a constant state of evolution that reflects her style and view on fashion. When it comes to personal style, focusing on sustainable practices and supporting emerging and independent brands is at the core of who she is. 

“A big part of my wardrobe or personal archive are pieces — whether it’s clothing, jewelry, handbags, shoes and one-of-a-kind accessories — that I've acquired throughout the course of my life. Each piece I own is very sentimental to me for different reasons, like a sequin cardigan that was passed down to me from my grandma, Francesca or a ‘60s brocade coat I discovered at the Melrose Trading Post for $15,” she describes. Never one to shy away from being different, the self-described sartorial chameleon also discussed ways she would personalize how she dressed at a young age, including her school uniform. “I would always wear my dad’s vintage Oscar de la Renta ties to school or add studded belts and leather cuffs.” 

MSGM magenta pink puffer coat, MINDBLOWN custom top, PHLEMUNS pink pants, PHLEMUNS pink monogram mini skirt, Seymoure pink fingerless gloves, Roussey 3D printed heart necklace 

The unconventional dresser even recalls a time in 5th grade when she went shopping down Melrose Avenue with her older sister, Cherie in search of over-the-top sneakers that she could wear with her school uniform. After locking eyes with a pair of limited-edition PUMA kicks in a bright pink shade, she knew she had found what she was looking for. “I remember going to Sportie LA and falling in love with these metallic pink PUMA sneakers and to make them stand out even more, my sister and I went to the Fashion District to buy iridescent Swarovski crystals that we later hot-glued on each of the sneaker’s formstrips,” she tells me. 

At 11 years old, the aspiring journalist knew she wanted to work in fashion. As an admirer of the golden age of fashion publishing, she was always researching different parts of fashion like history, art, culture, film as well as writers, and fashion editors. “I think I always knew that I wanted to be a fashion journalist in some respect. I developed a deep love for Diana Vreeland and I’ve always admired her. In my opinion, she is arguably the most iconic and greatest fashion editor to ever exist.” After earning a degree in journalism from Pepperdine University, she started her career in fashion as an intern at Vogue, where she managed the fashion closet and assisted on photoshoots for the magazine as well as Teen Vogue. “Once I had the chance to assist and learn from some of the industry’s biggest fashion editors and stylists, I started writing for Refinery29 and that’s when I realized I wanted to become a fashion market editor and pursue this as a career wholeheartedly,” she reveals. 

Her most inspiring pursuit as a journalist has been a franchise series she developed and created when she started working at Hypebae in 2019. Titled, Behind the Atelier, the passion project highlights the backstories of emerging and independent designers. With the series, she has featured designers like Jacques Agbobly, Olivia Cheng, Isabella Lalonde, Cheyenne Kimora, Ashley Ciriaco, Sade Mims along with Millicent Dunstan and Ben Lucas Jones of MINDBLOWN, and most recently, Natasha Zinko. “Everyone that I’ve featured are designers that are not only producing designs unlike anything else, but they’re also creating a space for people to feel seen and truly express themselves.”

Agbobly custom sweater, Vintage Blazer, MINDBLOWN denim and lace airbrushed skirt, Saks Potts metallic yellow pants, Private Policy silver metallic handbag, Private Policy silver metallic handbag, Danbi mood ring gloves, Dames rings, Vintage Jewelry 

MSGM magenta pink puffer coat, Collina Strada Frog earring, Roussey 3D printed heart necklace 

Working in the fashion industry for over a decade, the Senior Creative Editor of Hypebae has experienced pinch-me moments. One of the trendsetter’s favorite moments to date was having the opportunity to be photographed and featured in PH5’s Spring/Summer 2022 lookbook along with her two rescue dogs, Pretzel and Shelby. “The whole experience was such a fun, beautiful day because the inspiration behind the lookbook was about bringing together different members of the PH5 community whose lives spark joy in different ways. For me, having photos taken of me and my two pups, which are now forever immortalized on Vogue Runway, was so memorable, and indicative of the joy and love Pretzel and Shelby gave me,” she recalls. Despite losing her dogs in the past year, her “little angels” still have a strong presence in her life with numerous photos of her beloved babies stationed around her apartment, and pop-art pet portraits painted by her older brother on her bedroom’s walls. 

In October 2022, her dream of being featured in The New York Times Style Section became a reality when she was photographed by Ye Fan at Moncler’s 70th anniversary party and event. “Being photographed and featured in Sunday’s paper and online was truly unfathomable. It’s always special when people resonate with my sense of style, but being able to wear one of my favorite sweaters from MINDBLOWN, an independent New York-based brand designed by my friends Millicent Dunstan and Ben Lucas Jones, served as proof that independent designers are the future of fashion.”

Norma Kamali black lace catsuit, Vintage Plaid Blazer, Metallic Leather Gloves, Naked Wolfe red platform boots,Beepy Bella Earring, Brandon Hurtado Sandler emerald lip ring, Vintage Costume Necklaces & Ring, Vintage Floral Brooch 

With her work, she hopes to offer aspiring journalists and creatives with real-world advice. “When opportunities come your way make sure you're not being taken advantage of. Every opportunity is a foot in the door, but at the same time I think there will be moments where you're tested, but don't let that deter you. If there's a publication, a platform that really speaks to you, I recommend doing cold emails or cold calls, having meetings with editors or people that inspire you, and seeing if that publication or platform aligns with your values.” 

MINDBLOWN custom top, PHLEMUNS pink pants, PHLEMUNS pink monogram mini skirt, Seymoure pink fingerless gloves, Roussey 3D printed heart necklace, Zimo floral print pumps 

In an industry as cutthroat as fashion, she believes it’s important to not only advocate for yourself, but to advocate for your friends and for your community. “The more you’re able to band together with your community and stand strong as a single force, the bigger impact it will have on the industry at large,” she says. With a magnetic spirit and personality, Danielle’s efforts to uplift and support artists from all walks of life is crucial, and she serves as an example of someone who is making a difference in the industry today. You can find her at @daniellefcombs

Photos by Megan Clark

Makeup by Danielle Parkes

Production by Lucy Ivey

Styling by Danielle Combs

Hair by Mariah Mollina

Studio graciously lent to us by Blonde and Co