From Vision to Reality: Aisha Ellis on the Reign of Style's 11th Year

The Day With TraeEventsHealth & Wellness

Feb 25

Aisha Ellis, the driving force behind the Reign of Style Hair Competition, recently shared insights into the event's 11th anniversary and her journey in a conversation with Trae Holiday. What started as a vision has blossomed into a vibrant community celebration that showcases talent, fosters connections, and uplifts Seattle’s culture.

Ellis expressed her excitement about the upcoming event and reflected on the past decade. "It was an amazing feeling," she said, recalling the success of the 10th-anniversary show. There was a moment when she considered whether to continue the show, but the overwhelming support from the community reassured her. “Having people that have supported the show for so many years… still support the show to this day… is reassuring that I was supposed to do this and I'm supposed to continue to do this."

Reign of Style is more than just a hair competition; it's a cultural event that brings people together. Holiday emphasized the importance of such spaces, saying, "Seattle needs more of these spaces that truly put culture at the forefront." Ellis has successfully curated an environment where stylists can display their brilliance in a friendly competition. "It didn't feel like, you know, oh, we got to sabotage you to win," Holiday noted. "It was like everybody's there in love."

Ellis is particularly excited about the "live watch me work" competitions and the main stage show this year. She highlighted the unique energy that student participants bring to the event. "They are just fresh. Their ideas are like, they're just so new, and they're willing to kind of take chances that maybe some of us are not willing to take." She values the opportunity to connect these emerging talents with established stylists and provide a platform for growth.

Ellis's commitment to service extends beyond the Reign of Style. She is a certified peer counselor with Northwest Credible Messenger, which allows her to offer additional support to her clients. "As stylists, as barbers, we are little therapists," she explained. The program enables her to connect clients with resources and provide more comprehensive care.

Balancing the emotional needs of her clients with her own well-being is something Ellis has learned to navigate. The peer counselor training provided valuable insights into self-care. "The training helped us to be able to really kind of make sure that we are focusing on our self care," she said. She also finds that sharing with her clients creates an "even exchange" of support.

The Reign of Style is a team effort. Ellis expressed gratitude for the support of Northwest Credible Messenger, Verity Bank, VCU, Seattle Urban League, vendors, and her dedicated staff. "I couldn't do this without them at all," she acknowledged.

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