Darian Symoné Harvin embodies the essence of a storyteller, and multidiscplinary artist. As a journalist with over a decade of experience, she has seamlessly woven beauty, politics, and pop culture into narratives that resonate across various mediums; from the written word to visuals and audio. Her work has graced the pages of The New York Times, Essence, Allure, and more, but her greatest accomplishment is founding Studio Symoné. Darian’s accomplishments include authoring "Black Icons in Herstory: 50 Legendary Women," a reflection of her passion for honoring the legacies of women.
From her beginnings as a social media editor and editorial curator at BuzzFeed News, Teen Vogue, and NBC News, Darian has developed a keen eye for spotting and explaining emerging trends and movements.
As the former Beauty Editor At Large for the LA Times’ culture magazine IMAGE, she told stories that not only highlighted beauty but its intersection with cultural and societal shifts. Her editorial work has made her a trusted source for understanding and forecasting beauty trends, offering a nuanced perspective that is both informed and inclusive.
Her presence extends to hosting, where she brings an artistic and bold flair to every project that’s authentic to her. Whether she’s on NPR or leading discussions at major events, for American Express, L’Oréal, or PUMA, Darian’s commentary and excitement for life inspires those around her. Her ability to connect with audiences is natural and empowering, making her a sought-after moderator and on-air host.
Darian is a conversation starter and magnet for community. As the founder of Studio Symoné, Darian has created a space that fuses URL storytelling with IRL community building. This platform, with its motto "Beauty. Culture. Wildness.", showcases women and femmes who appreciate beauty – and share values of creativity, social awareness, and the art of having fun.
In 2013, Darian graduated with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from Emerson College in Boston, MA. That’s when she interned at her local news station WIVB in Buffalo, NY, NBC News, and Parkwood Entertainment (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s company). At Parkwood, she learned how to apply creative processes and art direction to her work in journalism. A few months after graduating, she landed her first job working at Dateline NBC as a Program Coordinator. In 2014, Darian was Manager Producer of HRDCVR, a hardcover culture magazine created by a diverse team for a diverse world, focused on expanding who and what we cover and media. Darian's first podcast was titled "Am I Allowed To Like Anything?", which she hosted, booked, produced, and edited from 2015 - 2019. She made headlines as the creator of the viral ‘Black Girls in Front of the Mona Lisa’ tweet.
Darian’s voice is not just heard but felt. She continues to lead conversations that matter, from beauty trends to cultural shifts, all while maintaining a sense of enjoyment and empowerment that is infectious. Through her work, she remains a natural connector, a bold innovator, and an inspirational figure, always pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a cultural reporter in today’s world. Darian was born in Long Beach, California, grew up in Buffalo, New York, and lives in Los Angeles. In her free time she likes to DJ.