Derek Warburton

Early life

Born Derek Michael Warburton, Warburton was raised in Rochester, New Hampshire, graduated from Nute High School and attended yet did not graduate from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Before working as a stylist, Warburton worked as a department store makeup artist and at Atomic Funk as a co-partner in Miami, FL.

Career

The turning point in Derek’s career came in 2001 when he became the managing partner of Atomic Style Agency in Miami. From there he styled a multitude of celebrities including Beyonce, Miranda Kerr, Sean Paul and Heather Graham. In 2013 he styled Jessica Alba for the cover of West East in which the Daily Mail labeled as “smoldering.” In 2014 Derek styled Rock n’ Roll hall of famer Darlene Love. Love, who was nominated for her life story “20 Feet From Stardom” took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary

Today Derek Warburton is an International media personality, celebrity stylist, and the owner and creative director of LAPALME Magazine. LAPALME Magazine is a premiere lifestyle publication. From New York City to LA and beyond, it provides its readers with a sophisticated quarterly magazine with a fashion forward yet timeless approach. LAPALME offers a fresh perspective that highlights today’s elevated lifestyle. Print and digital, it offers an insider’s guide to a metropolitan world. Celebrities like Shay Mitchell, Josh Henderson, Oliva Culpo and Derek Hough have all graced the cover of the magazine and were styled by Mr. Warburton himself.

He has developed a loyal following of celebrities, fortune 500 brands and the TV viewing public across America. Through his style expertise, he empowers lives. Whether on television, getting a celebrity to walk the red carpet or prepping a photo shoot, Derek believes that looking good is feeling good.

Each year, Derek appears on 80 plus talk shows, not only in the U.S but across the pond on shows like Good Day New York, The Daily Buzz, Live Well Network, NBC and Fox. He spreads his philosophy, “help, teach, inspire, love and have fun.” His televised style advice has led to cameos on The Real Housewives of New York and co-hosting programs like the UK’s Fashion Avenue and Style’s Big Boutique. Not only does he have a strong TV presence, he can be found on the red carpet at the biggest events. He was named in February 2017 the Style Ambassador for the Nolcha Shows during New York Fashion Week and in July 2017 he was named the Celebrity Ambassador for Feeric Fashion Week.

In addition to being televisions go to guy for style Derek has worked as a featured editor for Maxim, Ocean Drive Style Interview Magazine and was the International Style Director for Hong Kong’s West East. He has also been a brand ambassador for Old Navy, Lancome, Asics, Go Smile, MCL, Jos A. Bank and much more. Derek knows what makes each brand special and recognizes what they have to offer their consumers. As a result of this brand insight, he’s been asked to help build their brands through his stylist message.

With versatile talents and universal message of strength, Derek’s qualities and experience allow him to reach people of all walks of life whether by appearance, in print, television or in person.

Other notable collaborations:

Charity

Philanthropy has always played a major role in his life and continues to do so. He combined his love of fashion and helping the less fortunate and produced the Real Fashion Real Women runway show benefitting Bottomless Closet, which provides professional clothing, job readiness, and post-employment training and coaching services to women on assistance and working-poor women. The first show closed the S/S 2012 NYFW. His runway shows for Bottomless Closet have been featured in New York Times, Us Weekly, E! News, The Daily Mail and was dubbed “the most important show of fashion week” by CBS News in its first season.

The fashion maven kicked off 2017 in a big way! Most recently, Derek has been appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador for Just a Drop, an international water aid charity. As Goodwill Ambassador, Derek is working with JAD to raise money and highlight the importance of access to clean water and sanitation: currently, 1 in 10 people globally are without clean water, and a child dies every 90 seconds from a dirty water-related disease. Just last month, Warburton and JAD visited Nicaragua to build wells for poor villages with schools with no running water. This was a life changing moment for the students and country.

His accolades also include being honored with the Style Ambassadorship Award by the city of Los Angeles for his outstanding philanthropic work not only in LA but across the country. Warburton will be presented with the award this month by Mid City West Council Member/ Chairman of Education Committee Keith Kirkwood. This award encourages and acknowledges aspects of community interaction that promote civic engagement through outreach and aspects of informal education while providing more opportunities for committed stakeholders to get involved with local government. Throughout all of Warburton’s success in the fashion industry, he has committed himself to giving back to the community. Derek credits his success to his difficult childhood. “I was invisible. That is why I can do what I do not,” Derek said. “I was told I wasn’t good enough and would never be anything. I can understand a person’s struggles so I can relate to everyone’s story.” Derek was a homeless teen and has used it in his personal growth. He created “How to be Derek Fabulous workshop” at New York’s Bottomless Closet, helping underprivileged and homeless women re-enter the work force.