Check Out Jenny Dayco’s Story

Hi Jenny, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In my last interview with you guys in December 2018, I talked about how I became a jewelry designer (full story here: https://voyagela.com/interview/meet-jenny-dayco-jenny-dayco-hollywood/). Since then, I’ve transitioned into becoming a wardrobe stylist! I still make and sell one-of-a-kind pieces, but I’ve also incorporated being a stylist into my career skill set. It all started at a local gay dance club I used to frequent where I first met my work husband and bff, photographer Josh Williams. At the time, Josh was just starting his photo career, and he was excited to find out that I was a jewelry designer. And ever since that conversation, every shoot, Josh would ask his stylists to pull from me. Eventually, I was asked to just come directly to set to bring my jewelry, and other times I’d also be his assistant.

One particular shoot where a stylist had dropped out the night before, Josh, me, and the talent’s publicist all agreed that we would just pretend I was the stylist for the day! I won’t name the talent or the publication it was for, but you could not make this stuff up! The shoot ended up being a success, and everyone was happy. Josh continued to give me the opportunity to style all his future shoots, and our shared passions and working relationship grew and strengthened into friendship. Because of him, I’ve had the opportunity to work with talented and sweet individuals such as: Laura and Vanessa Marano, Audrina Patridge, Julie Benz, and Willa Ford.

While my styling jobs with Josh were intermittent over the course of a few years, the pace picked up with more styling opportunities in the last half of 2020. Josh had scheduled a shoot with actress and Real Housewife Garcelle Beauvais, who I had styled on a previous shoot, and he asked me to style her again. The shoot turned out amazing, since it was filled with laughter, and of course total glam!  About a month later, Garcelle’s makeup artist, Kym Nicole Oubre reached out to ask if I was available to style her other client, Grammy-winning recording artist, Ledisi!  I styled her for HBO’s ‘Between The World And Me’ closing music video ‘American Heartbreak’, a performance on the ‘Tamron Hall show’, and a performance for ‘Our OWN Easter’ on the OWN tv network. Shortly after that, more referrals started to roll in! I did a video reel with ‘Teen Wolf’ actress Crystal Reed, a shoot with dance / pilates / movement instructor extraordinaire Katie Rayle, and personal shoots with friends Dean Elex Bais and James Davis.

In November 2020, I got a call from Garcelle’s assistant, Tazz Beckford. Garcelle had just started shooting the 11th season of ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’, along with doing ‘The Real’ and her own podcast. Because of our previous work together, Tazz, Robear Landeros (her hairstylist), and Kym had suggested I help them out with styling for her appearances on RHOBH. Together, we were able to collectively create some memorable outfits and looks for that entire season. I even got to style her looks for her opening title credits!

In early 2021, I responded to an open call for an editorial shoot and had the opportunity to work with photographer Exavier Castro. What makes this shoot “career kismet” is that Exavier wasn’t the photographer originally booked for that project. Someone had dropped out and he was booked as a last-minute replacement!  Because of that chance meeting, we’ve worked together on numerous shoots, with talents such as: Isabella Ferreira (Love, Victor), Anthony Keyvan (Love, Victor), Gil Ortiz (On My Block, Never Have I Ever), Christina Kartchner (Never Have I Ever), and Nikki Rodriguez (On My Block).

That same year, I also met photographer Michael Dirlam through hairstylist Robear Landeros. We shot some beautiful editorials together, most notably one with Garcelle, featured in a recent issue of Angeleno magazine. I also reconnected with Laura and Vanessa Marano’s makeup artist, Melissa Bedi, for a gorgeous editorial shoot for Dreamingless magazine with photographer Apeksha Agarwal. Without everyone mentioned above, I would not be where I am today as a stylist. I am eternally grateful for those who believed in me and gave me opportunities to expand my creativity, in ways that I would not be able to achieve as a designer. What’s beautiful about all of it, is that we have shared our abilities to co-create together.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I would definitely say pulling wardrobe and accessories for projects in the last half of 2020 was a complete challenge. The world was at the height of its pandemic restrictions, and there were extremely limited options with everything closed. But I’m a very tenacious shopper, so I casted very wide nets online, researched which stores were still open, which designers were still in business, and which pr showrooms were still active.

The pr showrooms that were still active did adapt to the ever-changing pandemic landscape. A lot of them had transitioned into having us stylists make selections online and send over a wish list, and accommodate us for a quick pick up, or they would book appointments with very long times in between in a safe environment. During that time, I am so thankful for Alexandra Tuil and Tanya Nazarian over at Maison Privée PR, Ivan Bitton at Ivan Bitton Style House, Brittany Park at The Her Group, Ashley Michaelsen at AMPR, Elena Alikhanian at Michele Marie PR, Alexis Lerma at The Archives Showroom, Jade Ikazoboh at Etcetera Los Angeles, and Jamie Alvarado at Collective Agency LA.

Also, I’m sure this may be **mostly** known, but clothing is heavy to lug around! Shoes and jewelry are heavy! When I pull for a job, I can always feel my arms and legs “toning up” before a shoot. So if you’re ever thinking about styling as a career, get ready to get ALL those steps in, and do some heavy lifting, because it is a workout!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
When it comes to styling, the feedback I often receive is how MANY options I bring to each project. Having my own jewelry line, and therefore a large jewelry kit in general, I typically have that portion of styling covered. People often tell me the clothing I bring to set fits perfectly as well. Understanding the talent / subject, theme, and context while thinking of exactly what’s needed for me to co-create within different environments is one of my strengths.

Having an understanding of post-production and the work that goes into it as a former graphic designer has also helped me hone my skills on set. I pay attention to my work with constant consideration of photographers, finding ways to avoid any tedious retouching. I aim to make sure the talent looks as good in the outfit in nearly every shot. I’m most proud of the feeling I get when the final images are released. With the teams I work with, we collaborate effortlessly on set, and it’s evident in the photos that are seen. Sometimes I even pinch myself and think, “I did that?” but it’s such a different type of energy when you work with a team, versus working in solitude as a designer.

I want to bring joy to people’s day with all the things I’ve brought on set. I try to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone involved, because at the end of the day, you want to be sure the team and the talent are completely satisfied with what’s been done. I’m always fascinated by the idea of what people want to wear. Sometimes shoots are all about fantasy, and other projects can be a reflection of one’s “casual” self, or a reflection of parts of them that they want to express. And I want to help! Being collaborative in helping an individual express themselves through fashion is like a gold medal to me! I want to see them happy!

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Being a team player for any project is 1000% essential. Styling is this utterly glamorous job, but you’re also providing a service for any given individual or project. You are there to make the talent feel amazing with what they have on. When it comes to people’s bodies, we all naturally have our insecurities. The key is to always be receptive when it comes to hearing feedback, or catering to any specific preferences that need to be heeded.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.jennydayco.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jennydayco
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jennydaycojewelry
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jennydayco
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU32WIcrCJ1bx4Ad2Gdkykg
• Other: http://www.pinterest.com/jennydayco

Image Credits
Garcelle Beauvais by Josh Williams Dreamingless magazine editorial by Apeksha Agarwal Volant magazine editorial by Exavier Castro Beauty shoot by Michael Dirlam