Teyana Taylor's Victory over Rivalry in Two Sectors: Triumph and Success Stories

It's a lively Friday morning inside Printemps-a French luxury store in Tribeca, where a pair of shoes could set you back a month of New York City rent. Yet, Teyana Taylor, the trendsetting creative powerhouse, struts through without even a glance at the price tags.

Young stylists scour for their clients, Manhattan moms dash about doing errands while their kids play with plush toys plucked from a display, and Taylor picks up a sleek Magda Butrym heel, adorned with two large roses, whispering to herself, "This is totally me."

Remember the 2007 episode of MTV's My Super Sweet 16 that introduced Teyana to the world? She's always been unafraid to indulge herself. Her extravagant '80s-themed party included a live marching band, shirtless models delivering her to the celebration in a human-sized Barbie box, and luxurious gifts galore. Nikki Taylor, her mother and manager, would hand her the reins and say, "You tell me what you want, and you know you're gonna get it."

But Taylor didn’t travel all the way from Atlanta just to shop. She had some business to attend to. About a week prior, she was the captivating centerpiece at the Met Gala, strutting with a scepter, a burgundy Marc Jacobs cape adorned with red roses on top of a pinstriped zoot suit, towering platform heels, and a burgundy silk durag under a feathered cap. The day before our interview, she graced the pages of GQ in Alaïa and a fitted Yankees cap, holding a pizza box. "It was so very New York," Taylor tells me, "I felt like Carrie Bradshaw. I've always admired Carrie."

Sitting in Salon Vert, Printemps' Parisian-style cocktail bar, Taylor, 34, rubs her arms and shoulders to stay warm-too lost in thought to acknowledge any discomfort. The shops have cranked up the AC, despite the day warming enough for a light jacket. Taylor dons a distressed hoodie from her 2022 The Last Rose Petal...Farewell Tour, and a trucker cap embroidered with the logo of The Aunties, the production company she cofounded with producer and director Coco Gilbert in 2021.

Lately, the Harlem-born performer, director, and multi-faceted creative has been involved in several high-profile business and creative projects in New York City. Just a few months ago, she partnered with Jordan Brand to release a new Air Jordan 3 sneaker collection, dubbed A Rose From Harlem. This collaboration embraces community uplift and cultural preservation, reflecting her deep roots in Harlem and her commitment to inspiring young artists.

In June 2025, Teyana was awarded The Apollo Theater’s inaugural Innovator Award, recognizing her fearless creative evolution as a performer, director, and visionary. The event, The Apollo’s final Spring Benefit before its renovation, underscores her impact on the New York cultural scene and her dedication to giving back to her community.

Her multifaceted creativity stretches beyond music, with a keen focus on community and cultural preservation. This year alone, Taylor has made her mark on NYC, collaborating with major brands like Jordan and receiving renowned accolades like the Innovator Award at The Apollo Theater. It's clear that, like Carrie Bradshaw, Taylor knows how to make New York City her oyster.

Teyana Taylor's style, a blend of extravagance and personal expression, mirrors her lifestyle, similar to the character Carrie Bradshaw in the fashion-and-beauty and entertainment realm, as seen in her Met Gala attire and recent GQ feature.
The celebration of Teyana Taylor's innovative approach to music, direction, and community uplift is evident in her latest collaboration with Jordan Brand for the Air Jordan 3 sneaker collection, titled A Rose From Harlem, and her receipt of The Apollo Theater’s inaugural Innovator Award in 2025.
Despite her busy schedule, which includes shopping for trendy fashion pieces like the Magda Butrym heel she admired at Printemps, Teyana Taylor remains dedicated to her roots in Harlem and her mission of inspiring young artists and preserving the local culture, reflecting her deep connection to New York City's cultural scene.