Meet Joseph Leeds | Creative director & Wardrobe stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joseph Leeds and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joseph, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
As a young person who really found their footing during the pandemic, it felt inevitable to follow my instincts into the creative industry. I think the 2020s is a time of either sinking or swimming in the sense there is a constant urgency to take action I felt called to take that action and create opportunity for others while forging my own path in this community.

All of the ever changing elements of the industry really fascinated me, I remember thinking my life would never be the same after my first event and it truly wasn’t.
I am now able to share that feeling with aspiring creatives and that ultimately is why I started in this career.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Working with Luxe and City for over 4 years now has created a lot of opportunities for me to expand on my skill set as a creative professional.

from event production to client work every experience has given me a chance to learn more about the industry and those in it.

as lead Director of The Creative Council an exclusive members club I’ve been able to help turn dreams into reality for local creatives and business owners. The past three years of membership have been full of exciting twist and turns all in the efforts of elevating the cultural arts community in the valley.

With Arizona Fashion Week under our belt, we have been able to create jobs and new avenues for those involved and I’m extremely proud to be co-director of the leading fashion platform in Arizona.

All of this t0 say that this industry is not for the faint of heart, it takes a lot of dedication and sacrifice to sustain a career in the creative world. There will be hard stops, last minute changes and things out of your control. But those who can stay levelheaded and grounded in their beliefs can overcome anything.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Picture this, a day with Joseph Leeds in Phoenix Arizona.

We’d start in North Scottsdale at “The Tarot Room” a bespoke metaphysical store filled with local and handmade goods, we’d head down to Biltmore for brunch at “The Henry”, and stop at “De Sarthe Gallery” for the best art in the city.

After we’d head downtown for one of the many vintage markets to shop local vendors like @killjoyclothingx and @moonseedjewels.

We’ll get dinner at “Wren & Wolf” or “Hanny’s” and get cocktails at “Melinda’s Alley” dance a little bit at “Valley Bar” and end the night at “Novel Ice Cream” for the best donut sandwiches ever!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I can’t tell my story without talking about the two people who gave me a chance and opened so many doors for me. Alex Salazar and Samantha Howard of Luxe and City are some of the hardest working people I know. They continue to teach me about the realities of the industry as well has how to continue to put my best foot forward.

I also have to mention all of the support I have received from my team on the board of the Arizona Costume Institute but especially Khamsone Sirimanivong and Joy Sprink, without these ladies’ continuous generosity and knowledge of the creative landscape I wouldn’t be able to represent myself as strongly as I do.

Ultimately my entire community supports me in ways they might not even know. so, I thank everyone who I’ve been able to connect and create with.

Instagram: Thetropicofvirgo / ether.incc