Dr. Tyrha Lindsey-Warren
From New York to LA to Waco, Dr. Lindsey-Warren knows how to dress for herself and the occasion, creating stunning outfits with eye-catching flairs. Her background in marketing and theatre (among her many other laudable accomplishments) compliment and inform her powerful and confident style. And with her contagious smile and bold looks, Dr. Lindsey-Warren is this week’s SHRN.
What are 3 words to describe your style?
Definitely classy, chic, and risk-taking at times. When I was working in New York City as a marketing executive, I headed all of communication for UniWorld Group, and we used to call our dress “agency chic.” You’re fashionable yet professional and chic all the time. I’m also really starting to love couture, even though I don’t get to wear it a lot in Waco.
How has working in a professional, academic environment impacted your style?
[Laughs] Well, I think I’ve impacted the academic environment. I still dress in agency chic because I teach advertising and digital marketing classes. I primarily teach seniors, so I strongly feel it is my responsibility to get them ready for the professional world. It’s important for me to model what they’ll be going into, especially since most of my students are in creative business fields.
Why is fashion important to you?
Well, I’ve been in marketing in some type of capacity for my entire career. I started in Hollywood at NBC and CAA (Creative Artists Agency), then in New York with the United States Tennis Association, Alvin Ailey, and others. How you present yourself is extremely important in my business. I do a lot of presentations to clients and colleagues, I speak around the world presenting my research, and I’m a certified Baylor University expert and do online, TV, print, and radio interviews. I always have to be ready to be on! Because of the world we live in, people size you up in a matter of seconds, and I believe in always being in control of my story. If I’m in charge of my story, my brand, and how others perceive me, it’s all about style. You have to be conscious of how you present yourself to the world.
What is your favorite thing about teaching at Baylor?
There are a lot of things I enjoy about Baylor. This is my 4th year at Baylor, and I’m continually impressed by the caliber of my students, in terms of the fullness of their characters. They’re, for the most part, well-balanced, good-hearted, and very interesting. I have also had the pleasure of taking two groups of my advanced advertising classes to New York for ad week, and that continues to be a joy -- to travel with my students and expose them to the city, my colleagues, my friends, and things of that nature. A lot of times this is their first time in the city, and it’s with me, so I love that. And because I teach seniors, I let them know I’m here for them after they graduate. So, it’s been wonderful to keep in touch with some of my students and help them navigate their corporate environments. I also get to do fun things with my students, like [this interview]! Last semester, I was able to judge SING, so little things like that are a lot of fun, too.
Who would you say is your style icon and why?
I have a couple: Melanie Hobson is the CEO of Ariel Investments, and she’s married to George Lucas, the gentleman who created Star Wars. She has, to me, exquisite style. You know, that agency chic I was talking about – being feminine yet professional in business and looking fantastic. I like Tracy Ellis Ross from a couture perspective. If I had to pick a celebrity, I would pick her style. Viola Davis and Regina King, too, if I had to pick a celebrity. But for the business world? Definitely Melanie.
What was your style like in college?
I had style in college, but it’s a lot better now. My mother was extremely stylish. I mean, we would fly to New York and LA just to shop. And she was very into couture and fine fashion. She had a collection of custom-made fur coats that I now have. So, I would say my fashion was definitely influenced by my mother because she was so fashionable. I had maybe a little bit of style in college but not a lot. But I was willing to take risks because I was a performer in college, and I always had an artistic flair, but [my style] has by far evolved in a wonderful trajectory since then [laughs].
What’s your go-to outfit?
Well, my go-to color is black, and I think that comes from living in New York for a long time. Plus, black is a power color, and because I’m in business, I always have to project power and control and things of that nature. Yeah, my go-to outfit is something black with a pop of color, and I do a lot of skirts. So, black, chic, and a pop of color with whatever that might be – skirts, pants, or dresses. Oh, and accessories. Accessorize at all times.
Written by: Jasmine Crabb
Edited by: Josie Gruber
Photos by: Kharis McFarland