Meet latia marie Yates
11.04.26
Latia is a design consultant and style expert who graced with us with her story of her fashion journey here on FASH Forward.
Here is Latia’s interview:
Latia’s mission
You have some amazing things going on! You’re a style and design consultant and you host etiquette classes.
How does each service you offer to your clients tie in together? What’s your overall mission?
LATIA: “Everything I do centers around identity and confidence. I love helping people see who they are on the inside reflected on the outside or helping them discover that confidence when they’re still figuring it out.
Through The Etiquette Studio, I offer fun workshops and classes that teach confidence, identity, etiquette, and practical life skills. As a Style & Design Consultant, I work more one-on-one with clients to create outfits, interiors, and experiences that feel personal to who they are.
My overall mission is to help people feel seen, confident, and represented in the way they show up and the spaces they experience.”
You’re the creative brains behind England Design House and The Etiquette Studio. Tell us more about your journey on creating these two businesses.
LATIA:
“Both businesses grew naturally from my love of creativity and service. I started in event planning and design. However, over time I realized that what interested me most was helping the person develop the idea or concept behind the design.
England Design House gave me room to explore events, interiors, creative direction, and style. The Etiquette Studio grew from my desire to use those same creative tools to help girls build confidence, character, communication, and life skills.
Eventually, I realized they were both connected by the same thing: helping people understand who they are and express it with confidence.”
You briefly mentioned being intentional when it comes to creativity; in what ways do you show up intentionally when designing and consulting?
LATIA: “I try not to start with what is trendy or simply what looks good. I start with the person.
I listen to their lifestyle, personality, goals, and how they want to feel. From there, I can make design choices that are beautiful but also meaningful and functional for their real life.“The energy is confident, expressive, and a little bold without trying too hard.”
Faith + Fashion: How has your faith molded your creative process and helped you understand what your clients need?
LATIA:
“My faith has taught me to create from a place of service. I believe creativity began with God, so it carries deep purpose and is an endless gift because He is an endless God.
It also reminds me to have compassion for wherever my clients may be in their journey of self-discovery. I try to listen closely, pay attention, encourage them, and look beyond the surface. I see what I do as an honorable form of service and a way to reflect the heart and love of Jesus by helping people feel seen, valued, and cared for.
Sometimes a client comes to me asking for an outfit, a room, or an event, but what they really want is to feel more confident, comfortable, or understood. My faith reminds me to consider the whole person, not just the final design. Because of that, I’m able to create work that not only looks beautiful, but also surprises, connects, and feels deeply.”
Photo Credit: Latia Marie
Latia’s tips
If you could give one etiquette tip and one styling tip to our readers what would they be?
LATIA: “Etiquette: Learn how to make people feel seen and respected. Good etiquette is less about memorizing rules and more about being aware of how your actions affect others. The classic quote is my favorite “people may not remember what you did, but they will remember how you made them feel!”
Style: Get to know yourself before deciding on an aesthetic. Trends can inspire you, but your lifestyle, personality, body, and identity should determine how you dress and I guarantee that will bring you more excitement for getting dressed!”
We’d love to know about any new projects and/or services that’s happening with brands. For England Design House & The Etiquette Studio, what can we expect to see coming up?
LATIA: “Right now, I’m working to secure funding for next year’s Etiquette Studio programming so we can continue creating meaningful workshops and experiences.
I’m also helping styling and design clients prepare for the holiday season while continuing to build my personal brand through new content and articles that explore the connection between design, style, and identity on a deeper level.
Photo Credit: Latia Marie
As a style & design consultant, is there any advice you can give to our readers who would also like to pursue consulting?
LATIA: “Don’t feel pressured to fit your expertise into a title that already exists. Pay attention to what people naturally come to you for and where your skills consistently create value.
My own consulting work developed by recognizing that my experience in fashion, events, interiors, and creative direction did not have to compete with one another. They became stronger when I learned how to connect them.
Build around what you do well, who you serve, and the problem you know how to solve.”
Connect With LATIA MARIE
INSTAGRAM: @Latia_Marie
TIKTOK: @lifewithlatiamarie
A Letter From The Editor
Dear Readers,
Thank you for taking the time to read up this special issue of FASH FWD. I started this publication to not only share my love for Fashion, but to help other fashion creatives share their stories and the brands they’ve built. My goal is to make sure they are able to connect with community and by you reading their stories helps me do just that.
Thank You!
The Credits
Interviewer/Editor & Graphic Design:
Ashley Simien
Images Provided By:
Latia Marie