But the former marketing executive turned entrepreneur and Real Housewife of Beverly Hills wouldnt have it any other way.
Saint John, however, wanted to do more than flex her colorful, designer-filled wardrobe.
Saint John in an Amsale dress.
It was home to a lot of people.
Though the experience has understandably shaken Saint John, shes as cheerful as ever over lunch.
Im having a great time, she says of her foray into theReal Housewivesfranchise.
Saint John in an Amsale dress.
This is my time to show up exactly as who I am.
Below, Saint John shares more about fashion, loss, and becoming a Bravolebrity.
Vogue:Its so nice to chat with you.
Saint John in a Mimmy Yeboah dress and overcoat.
Were so sorry about your homehow have you and your daughter been since the fire?
Bozoma Saint John:Thank you.
Were doing okay; shes doing okay.
Saint John in an Öfuurë set, Ch0ked earrings, and Brandon Blackwood bag.
Shes 15 and this is a very devastating and unsettling situation to be in.
Well, I would never guess that your confidence is rattled.
Saint John in a Mimmy Yeboah dress and overcoat.
Saint John in an Amsale dress and Telfar bags.
So tell me, how did the opportunity to joinReal Housewives of Beverly Hillscome about?
And were you a fan of the show beforehand?
But I never really watched Beverly Hills.
Saint John in a Yaura Fashion set and Tru Face by Grace earrings.
But I wouldnt have done it in the pastI had too much going on.
From what you had seen ofBeverly Hills,what was your take on the shows fashion?
I love the fashion of the Beverly Hills girls.
Saint John in Philthy Ragz.
I knew exactly what they were bringing with what they were wearing.
Saint John in an Ofuure set, Ch0ked earrings, and Brandon Blackwood bag.
Saint John in an Amsale dress and Telfar bags.
Saint John in Ivy Park (above and at right).
When you joined the cast, how did the idea to wear exclusively Black designers come about?
And then from there it just snowballed.
I was just like, you know what?
And thats going to be my contribution.
Thats the statement Im going to make.
Saint John in a Yaura Fashion set and Tru Face by Grace earrings.
Saint John in Nichole Lynel denim and a Chanel x Pharrell Williams bag.
Saint John in Philthy Ragz.
What does this look like in terms of planning?
Did you get a filming schedule and plan all your looks ahead of time?
Saint John in a Dapper Dan Harlem x Gucci set and Jordan Brand sneakers.
Girl, I wish it was that organized!
It wouldve made styling much easier.
I would say that I know what Im doing a couple of days beforehand.
Saint John in Da Shoné By DaSh.
Thankfully, a lot of them were already in my closet.
The challenge was that three weeks into filming I was like,Damn, Ive worn 40 outfits already.
Where do I go now?
Saint John in Fe Noel
So then I was calling designers that I knew to be like,Girl, what you got?
But it also pointed out that I dont know enough Black designers.
I need to know more.
Saint John in Asherah
Saint John in Ivy Park (above and at right).
I notice you have quite a bit of Ivy Park.
Somebody on Twitter was like, We know shes part of the Beyhive!
Saint John in a Soley Fit set with her daughter, Lael.
This is like the fifth Ivy Park outfit shes worn.
But theyre so easy because they match already.
So you put it on and people think you put in some kind of effort.
Youve worn lots of designer, too.
I carry Chanel, but its a bag from Pharells collab.
And I wear Louis, but its got to be Virgil.
Saint John in Nichole Lynel denim and a Chanel x Pharrell Williams bag.
Saint John in a Dapper Dan Harlem x Gucci set and Jordan Brand sneakers.
For the promo shoot, the theme was Old Hollywood.
And I was like, well, obviously Im going to do old Black Hollywood.
Yesthe woman who designed the Playboy bunny costume.
Dont make me hit you with my napkin!
I did not know Zelda.
And I felt so ridiculous; Im a fashion girl and I dont know Zelda Wynn Valdes?
Well Black designers arent always part of the fashion history conversation.
Theyre not; we dont talk about them enough.
So, again, it was a collaboration.
I dont want to throw no shade, but other people went and bought their dress from somebody.
And I was like,no, Im wearing this for Zelda.
Saint John in Da Shone By DaSh.
Your sense of style has a flair for the dramatic.
Where does that come from?
But shes a fashionable person and she was a homemaker.
So, Ive always been around sewing machines and fabrics and patterns and needle and thread.
When I was 16, she gave me a sewing machine for Christmas.
She and I designed my prom dress, and I designed my wedding dress and she sewed it.
So, I have never been afraid of inserting myself into my fashion.
And sewing your own clothesor having garments custom-made or tailoredis very common in Ghanaian culture.
And Im just like, You dont have a tailor?
Why cant you just take it to a tailor and get the waist taken in?
Or give it to meI have a sewing machine, Ill do it.
Ive always felt that I should beinmy clothes, not just wearing them.
Saint John in Fe Noel
Saint John in Asherah
Your nails are also quite fab.
Her name isQuisaand shes amazing.
Weve been together for six years.
Which Housewives personal style resonates with you the most?
Gosh, Ive loved so many peoples style.
I dont know ifDubaiis coming back, but Chanel Ayan is one of my favorites.
I think shes completely out of her mind, and I love it.
She did a confessional once where two leopard heads were sticking off her shoulders.
I looked at it and I was just like,This girl is nuts.
But I love it so much.
Funny enough, I like Erica Jaynes style a lot, too.
She sticks to her lane and it hits every single time.
Those are my two favorites, probably.
Saint John in a Soley Fit set with her daughter, Lael.
Last question: Are you having fun being a Real Housewife?
Im having a great timeI really am.
I enjoy the women, I enjoy the banter, and the conflicts are really fascinating to me.
Also, you know whats so funny?
For the first time ever, all of the women in the main cast are single or separated.
This conversation has been edited and condensed.
All photos courtesy of Bozoma Saint John.
