Vision with intention.
Design. Living. Storytelling.
The inspired world of Whitney Michel.
Style
Telling stories through men’s identity, expressed in style as a Stylist and Market Editor.
Her work in men’s styling began with observation—how identity, restraint, and personal choices quietly told a story. Working as a Fashion Director and Stylist, and in collaboration with leading fashion directors, she directed fashion stories rooted in authenticity. Her clients included Derek Jeter, Tom Brady, and Rob Gronkowski, with editorial work spanning ESPN, GQ, Vanity Fair, and more.
Advertising
As Chief Creative Officer at a legacy advertising agency, her focus on intention and connection guided the storytelling.
With her rise to C-Level creative leadership in advertising, Whitney rebranded a legacy agency through the lens of its rich culture and purpose. This purpose came to life through a carefully selected creative team, whom she inspired to create award-winning campaigns. Her advertising clients include Cadillac, Ford, Lincoln, Chase, Coca-Cola, Smartwater, and more. Ultimately, this work drove a historic achievement—the agency’s first-ever Agency of the Year honor from the globally recognized and respected Ad Age, marking a defining moment in its 56-year history.
Interior
Design that empowers identity through space and sanctuary.
A creative evolution: Whitney Michel believes one's authentic self is revealed in spaces that inspire your inner power—creating interiors that connect to peace in the wild of Upstate New York. Born from her Upstate New York sanctuary, Blackbird, Blackbird Theory embodies a design philosophy where bold, connected spaces don't just shelter—they awaken, inspire, and transform.
Menswear Design
A cashmere uniform for the men who make the world turn.
Born from ambition and the love for the American dream, MICHEL MEN stands as the first creative project of Whitney Michel. Created while Michel was at Parsons School of Design, the brand serves the league of men who are dreamers and rebellious thinkers, the men who make the world turn. Starting with a line of accessories, the brand has evolved into a cashmere uniform collection, all made to order in New York. Since launching, MM has been featured in British GQ, The New York Times, Vogue, and more. The brand is a recipient of the Vogue and CFDA ICON360 grant. It was also recently prominently featured in the film HIM by Oscar-winning Director Jordan Peele in the fall 2026. It has been worn by cultural icons including four-time NBA Champion and two-time MVP Stephen Curry and Academy Award–nominated actor Tom Hardy.
About
Whitney Michel
Whitney Michel is a multidisciplinary creative whose storytelling through advertising, fashion, and interiors are united by a belief in design’s power to shape how we live and feel.
A Parsons–trained designer, Michel founded her American menswear brand, MICHEL MEN, as a senior thesis—launching a decade-long career in fashion with work featured in The New York Times, Vogue, GQ, and Esquire, all while styling icons like Tom Brady and Derek Jeter
Her creative path later expanded into advertising, where as Chief Creative Officer she inspired and led award-winning campaigns for Cadillac, Ford, Lincoln, Chase, Coca-Cola, and Smartwater.
In 2025, Michel founded Blackbird Theory, a creative evolution exploring how space becomes sanctuary—where bold interiors quiet the mind, awaken inner power, and invite transformation.
Michel resides in Upstate New York with her husband, Artist & Sculptor Dan Shaughnessy IV, DSIV.
Clients & Press
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Amazon Studios
Cadillac
Absolut
Jameson
Ford
Bloomberg
Walgreens
Rolling Stone
Lincoln
Vogue
GQ Style
Nike
Saturday Night Live
Gap
Vanity Fair
ESPN
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
Man of the World
Target
Weight Watchers
Esquire
Banana Republic
Pernod Ricard
Tommy Hilfiger -
LaMelo Ball
Tom Brady
Teddy Bridgewater
Layshia Clarendon
Joel Embiid
Myles Garrett
Rob Gronkowski
Derek Jeter
Odell Beckham Jr.
Colin Kaepernick
Kevin Love
Marcus Mariota
Tony Parker
Chris Paul
Shannon Sharpe
Russell Westbrook -
Michael Caine
Bradley Cooper
Jimmy Fallon
Morgan Freeman
Richard Gere
Jon Hamm
Kevin Hart
Josh Hartnett
Ewan McGregor
Seth Meyers
Trevor Noah
John Oliver
Edgar Ramirez
Seth Rogen
Michael Shannon
Michael K Williams -
The New York Times
Vogue
British GQ
WWD
Complex
EBONY
Esquire
Forbes
GQ
New York Magazine
“Her keen eye for style and inspiring ability to reflect on the past while staying totally modern, and true to her vision, makes her a force to watch
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