FASHION - AUTHOR

​

A native of Portland, Oregon, Shailah relocated to New York, to pursue her modeling career. After signing with the Ford agency, she soon moved to Paris, where she lived for over two years, and became a much sought after, International Couture model. She traveled to places like Germany, London, Milan, Rome, Japan, Portugal, Finland, Africa, and more, modeling for the most prestigious designers in the world, including Yves St. Laurent, Givenchy, Dior, Valentino, Versace, Armani, just to name a few (see gallery of pix). After a very successful, lucrative career in Paris, she moved back to New York City, where she is now based. After retiring from the runway full time,  she mentors  aspiring models  and most recently published an intriguing memoir entitled "WILD CHILD TO COUTURE STYLE" The Shailah Edmonds Story.

(See Wild Child Book page or available on Amazon) Her book chronicles her tumultuous journey from Portland to Paris. Her accomplishments have also been chronicled in the NY TIMES, Sunday Styles front page, June 14, 2020.

 

​

MUSIC

 

Shailah began writing poetry as a child in Portland, Oregon. Her music career began by co-writing a song for famed R&B artist, the late Betty Wright (of Clean Up Woman), and composing original tunes from her poetry. Before leaving Paris as a model, Shailah opened for Sydney Youngblood at the Olympia Stadium, and has since toured with the Marvelettes, doing lead and background, in the USA. After being selected to be a featured guest singer with the legendary vibraphonist, Lionel Hampton, Shailah's singing career blossomed, and led her to record on Fred Schneider's (of B52's) solo album, become lead singer of Shayla & The Shaylettes Motown Revue, and various other New York local artists. Having a father as a jazz aficionado, Shailah grew up listening to all the jazz greats, and has come full circle, once again enjoying this great genre of music, as expressed in her recently released CD “CLASSY". She has settled into the jazz world with the grace and style she brought to the runway, performing classic standards with incredible phrasing and beautiful, sultry vocals, currently enjoyed at several prestigious venues throughout the New York Metropolitan area. She is also a professional impersonator of Tina Turner, and Diana Ross.

 

ACTING

As an actor, Shailah has been featured in several feature films and television. After booking a string of commercials, she joined the SAG-AFTRA union where she remains a member. She wrote, produced and starred in her one-woman musical show "A STAR ALONE",  based on her memoir and has currently completed the screenplay as well.