Meet Stephanie “Thebagladie” Bedell | Producer & Wardrobe Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie “Thebagladie” Bedell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie “Thebagladie”, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I started a bartering group back in 2019 by the name of Detroit NetWERK. I was unsure of the direction I was going in. I knew that I wasn’t the only Creative out here that was in dire need of a team. In 2022 I started hosting monthly Content Days in different studio spaces. Bringing other Creatives together to accomplish a common goal (visibility) was vital. Photographers need Models. Models need Photographers. Makeup Artist need subjects and professional images to gain NEW clientele and so on. As I’ve been hosting these monthly Content Days (18 months and counting) I have been able to network with several different groups of people across Metro Detroit. Even though we are based out of Detroit, we have gained the attention of Creatives as far as Alabama & Atlanta that are willing to travel here to work directly with us. We’ve been able to bring Creatives together and bridge gaps. As the founder of Detroit NetWERK, I’ was acknowledged as “Creative of the Year” by Krave Awards last year. The acknowledgement felt great, but it isn’t why I started.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Wardrobe Stylist first. I love fashion and assisting plus size women in particular in finding their confidence for the first time or regaining it back after gaining weight or bearing children for example.

What sets me apart from others is that I stay in my own lane, while helping others in various ways during my own personal journey. I do things out the kindness of my heart without expecting anything in return.

Right now I am most excited to be introducing a 2nd show to my brand and resume by the name of “A +Size Only Fashion Show”. This show will feature plus size men and women as models, designers, etc. Body inclusivity is what we wish to bring to cities, states, and countries across the world. My first show is coming up on it’s 6th annual showcase entitled “Rags $2 Riches”, which is an entirely thrifted fashion show sponsored by The Salvation Army of Michigan.

I’ve gotten where I am today with much consistency, doing right by others, and my passion. It’s the driving force.

No, it hasn’t been easy, but I can’t see myself doing anything else, so I have to keep moving forward.

I’ve learned along the way that you are your greatest accomplishment. You have to motivate yourself sometimes. Self reliance is your greatest strength.

I love what I do. If your passion doesn’t drive you, why are you doing what you are doing?

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would pull out my list of black own restaurants and shops. I love supporting my own and would make it my business to support as many as I can in that weeks span.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shoutout all the Creatives out there that are lead by passion and nothing else.

Instagram: instagram.com/thebagladie

Linkedin: Stephanie Bedell

Facebook: Ruby Zepora x Thebagladie

Other: Instagram.com/detroitnetwerk Instagram.com/rags2richesdetroit Instagram.com/aplussizeonlyfashiomshow

Image Credits
Anna Soustina LaJuan Spears Allante “Big Tunch” Jackson April of Red Couch Digital Loren Kemp