Style Meets Comfort: A Holiday Q&A With Stylist Solange Franklin

Get ready to elevate your holiday wardrobe! Knix has teamed up with the legendary stylist Solange Franklin for their newest customizable shapewear collection. Known for her sophisticated touch and A-list clientele, including Serena Williams and Solange Knowles, Solange is bringing her expertise to help redefine holiday dressing. In this exclusive Q&A, Solange shares her top styling tips, insights into the collaboration, and how to feel fabulous and comfortable for every festive occasion. Don’t miss her advice on mastering effortless holiday looks! —Noa Nichol

What drew you to partner with Knix for their customizable shapewear collection, and how does it align with your approach to fashion and styling? 

Knix’s commitment to innovation and inclusivity is what drew me to partner with them. I love that partnering with Knix allows me to share my expertise in styling while championing products that deliver on comfort, versatility, and performance. Their shapewear, made with patented PerfectCut™ technology, enhances different body types – and when you start with confidence as a base layer, getting dressed is easy. 

As a stylist who has worked with some of the most iconic names in fashion and entertainment, how do you balance comfort and style in your work? 

My recommendation for finding the right balance of comfort and style is try, try, try again until you develop a sense of comfort in your vision. 

My clients have been the embodiment of the saying “when you look good, you feel good,” so the proof is in the pudding! Taking what’s fashionable with a grain of salt is imperative; style needs an authentic anchor. Big names don’t necessarily have an inverse relationship with insecurity, few of us are immune to a bit of self-consciousness. So I always hone in on what people want, how they want to present, and most importantly how they want to feel. A sneakerhead may be wooed into trying a pump if the rest of the look is fabricated in jersey. 

The holiday season is often filled with events and gatherings. What are your top three styling tips for creating chic yet comfortable holiday looks? 

For the holiday season, I think color and texture will be a focus with trends like monochromatic outfits and a variety of materials like sequins, feathers, and metallics. 

My top three styling tips for chic and comfortable holiday looks are: 

• Take risks: I’m excited about “character dressing” coming back and the way people are embracing their quirks and joys through fashion. When comfort is your base, layering a hint or a lot of zesty add-ons is a surefire way to enter a room with boldness and ease. We know confidence is always in style. 
• Embrace color: During the holiday season, many stick to a black color palette, but I think this is the perfect opportunity to embrace varied hues and playful textures, whether in a shimmering sequined dress, gauzy in chiffon, or accessorizing with bold hues through accessories. One color head-to-toe is impactful and the tones don’t have to match to be effective 
• Find the Right Foundation: With customizable shapewear, you can adapt to various silhouettes, you can easily make one shapewear piece work with multiple outfits. It’s a great seamless undergarment that can be worn under looks with low backs or fitted minis. No need to worry about the hem coming up too much, with customizable shapewear you can simply cut it to the length you need – no rolling no fraying.

Knix is known for its commitment to inclusivity. How do you see this shapewear collection empowering individuals of all body types during the holiday season and beyond? 

Much like Knix’s company values – making everyone at any size feel confident in the skin they’re in – I’m committed to confidence and inclusion for all. 

The holiday season just brings about more opportunities to dress up, out of fun or obligation, and either way, I want to feel fantastic when I walk out the door. I want to try new combinations of looks and I want to focus on my event, not my intimates. 

This shapewear collection is designed to enhance the natural shape, providing a smooth finish, while allowing you to adapt your shapewear to the length and shape you need. These pieces can be used under your favorite dress, skirt, or deep-plunging shirt; whether it’s your best holiday look, or any outfit you put together throughout the year, Knix has you covered. Best of all, they’re available in sizes XS – XXXXL, with plus cups available for more bust coverage if desired. 

With such a dynamic career, what’s been your most memorable styling moment, and how does it inspire your current work? 

I really appreciate that recognition! My work is a celebration of identity, creativity, and inclusion, and I’m proud to have found a career that blends purpose with passion. 

One of my favorite styling moments was with Serena Williams: she was recently postpartum and lobbing soft serves on the court for a commercial. Her daughter was there. She was committed to her full self as a mama and a professional. It was surreal and inspiring to be with someone in their sphere of genius; it was an indelible model for how I can show up in life. 

What are your must-have pieces from the Knix customizable shapewear collection, and how would you style them for everyday or holiday wear? 

1. Knix Customizable Shaper Thong Bodysuit 

• Perfect for: Tight-fitting dresses, low-back gowns, and no-panty-line looks. 
• Why I love it: This piece is a game-changer with its customizable back plunge and built-in bra (up to G cup sizing), offering flawless smoothing and support. Thanks to the patented PerfectCut™ technology, you can cut along the velvet lines to deepen the back plunge and go backless with confidence. It’s the perfect base layer for bold, curve-hugging holiday looks. 

2. Knix Customizable Open Bust Shaper Bodysuit 

• Perfect for: Low-neckline outfits and pairing with your favorite bras. 
• Why I love it: Featuring customizable leg lengths and back depth via their PerfectCut™ technology, this bodysuit adapts to fit your unique needs. The targeted support zones comfortably smooth and shape, while the open-bust design works seamlessly with your favorite bra. Ideal for formal gowns and tailored suits. 

3. Knix Sculpt Rib™ Cotton Tank 

• Perfect for: Everyday layering, casual holiday gatherings, or a polished standalone look. 
• Why I love it: Any chance to go braless is 100 percent enticing.This tank is a work of art – it sculpts, contours, and supports. The ribbed fabric defines your figure while keeping you incredibly comfortable. It’s the perfect mix of style and function, and I recommend securing more than one color.

Fashion trends are always evolving—what do you predict will be the key trends in 2025, and how can Knix’s collection play into them? 

One fashion trend that I think will continue to have its moment is “underwear-as-outerwear.” Knix is known for its intimates and now their customizable shapewear is a game-changer for limitless dressing. I have personally been loving the new Customizable Shaper Bodysuit that I’ve been wearing as a top. It’s the perfect base to pair with skirts or pants, and great for those day-to-night looks! 

How does your experience in editorial styling and working with high-profile clients influence your approach to creating versatile and inclusive fashion solutions like this partnership with Knix? 

I think people would be shocked to know how tricky it’s been over the years to find the right shade, size, and technologic fit in undergarments. I do not like limits that feel resolvable – my approach is joyful and solution-oriented! 

My clients and I want picture-perfect looks and high-performance options. Coming back to the necessary theme of confidence: everyone deserves access to quality options to feel their best. The customizable shapewear is very much Women in STEM; with my experience, I instantly recognize Knix’s solutions to everyday problems and appreciate their comfortable, high quality garments.