Today we’d like to introduce you to Celine.
Hi Celine, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Celine. I am a Fashion Stylist based in Los Angeles, but I travel for work as well. I’m originally from Atlanta, GA. As influential as Atlanta is, I didn’t grow up into fashion or knowing anything about it. I was in uniforms for most of my grade school, so even putting on a uniform on the weekends was my first thought.
After transferring to a school that didn’t require a uniform, I slowly figured out what my style was. My look changed constantly, as it still does now, to make sure that I don’t stay content with one style even if it’s something that everyone else likes. During my junior year of high school, I wanted to go into fashion and attended Georgia Southern University for their fashion merchandising program.
My actual start in fashion began when I joined a fashion organization doing styling for runway shows. I was also the stylist and creative director for multiple passion projects on the side during my college career. After completing college a semester early, I applied to over thirty internships in Los Angeles, New York, and outside of the US.
New York was, and is, my dream city to live and work in, so I aimed for an internship there. I almost moved to New York after getting an internship with a celebrity stylist. But things changed when I was offered an internship working for Law Roach in LA. The internship was both the best and worst job ever. It was the moment that made me truly fall in love with my career.
I was very grateful to have worked under him! Once the internship ended, I returned home to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising. I took some time for myself to save and decided to move back to LA couple months later. My first job back in LA was at an e-commerce start-up company as a junior stylist; then, I worked my way to the head stylist position.
Unfortunately, I lost my job in March 2020, and we all know how that story goes. Since then, I’ve been freelancing as a key stylist and assistant to celebrity stylists. I’m constantly working on new projects every day. Like any freelancing job, it’s been up and down, but I love my job very much.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t know what a smooth road is. Styling is often underestimated, but I guess you’d have to understand what styling is to underestimate it. Most people I knew in high school and college didn’t know much about styling; they assumed I meant fashion design.
When I attempted to explain, they’d get excited about the “glamour” part of the job; not understanding that it was only about 10%. The other 90% is emails, meetings, research/mood boards, pick-ups/drop-offs, showroom pulls, a lot of driving, etc. Now imagine doing this work while also working another full-time job.
Finance is the biggest struggle for many stylists, especially someone like me, who just started freelancing full-time. Money is a struggle in our field when starting in this industry. It doesn’t matter if you’re waiting on net 30, net 60, or waiting for your next job. And some, if not most, parts of it is you having to spend money to make money.
My career hasn’t been smooth and probably won’t ever be, but it’s a part of the job and I still love it either way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My title is a fashion stylist and creative director, specializing in styling areas such as editorial, celebrity, wardrobe, e-commerce, product, red carpet, etc.
In addition, I’m still exploring areas like runway styling, costume design, and TV & film. I’m most proud of my determination to make clients look as good on the outside as they feel on the inside. My job is not to change who you are, but add to it. And it can be a tough job, but I pride myself on not settling for less for myself and my clients.
What sets me apart from others is my versatility. I’ve worked on various sets, styles, and projects. That’s the best thing about my job, though; every project is different, and it gets you to a new height every day.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most, if not everyone I’ve encountered, don’t know that I model as well. In 2020, I took a chance and went for it, although I was scared out of my mind.
I used to say that I’m more of a “behind the scenes” person. I still believe that, but it’s good to step out of the comfort zone every once in a while.
It’s honestly been going better than expected. I’m still new to modeling, but I’m grateful to the brands and photographers that took a chance on me.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.celinethestylist.
com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celinethestylist
