Hannah McDowell of Downtown Los Angeles on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Hannah McDowell shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Hannah, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’ve been making custom game day outfits for football, basketball, baseball, and ice hockey games. It started in August during my first semester at USC for my masters, and my designs quickly gained traction on social media. Now I do custom orders and constantly come up with creative new designs to wear to the next game!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a Los Angeles based wardrobe stylist. My work spans editorial, events, and personal styling, and I approach each project with a balance of creativity and structure.

I’ve had the opportunity to style a wide range of clients, including Chrissy Teigen, Katy Perry, Love Island’s Andreina Santos, LA Dodgers players, and top models. Working across entertainment, sports, and fashion has shaped my perspective and strengthened my ability to adapt my approach to different personalities, industries, and moments.

What makes my work special is the emphasis I place on collaboration and trust. Styling is not just about trends. It is about understanding the individual, the context, and the story they want to tell. Right now, I am continuing to expand my client work while developing creative projects that blend fashion, personal branding, and storytelling.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that felt the need to prove myself to everyone has served its purpose and no longer needs to come with me. Early on, that drive helped push me to work harder and take opportunities seriously, but over time I have learned that confidence comes from alignment, not overextending.
Letting go of the urge to say yes to everything has created space for more intentional work, stronger boundaries, and projects that truly reflect who I am now. Trusting my experience and choosing quality over constant momentum has been an important shift in my growth.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a moment when I seriously considered giving up. Early in my career, I worked for a New York based stylist who came to Los Angeles for a major project. The working conditions were difficult, and it came after a stretch of assisting different stylists where I consistently felt undervalued and poorly treated. I finished that job genuinely questioning whether this career path was meant for me at all.
A few weeks later, I received an opportunity to assist Katy Perry’s stylist, and I decided to take the chance. That experience was a complete shift from what I had been dealing with. The environment was professional, supportive, and creatively fulfilling. It gave me clarity, confidence, and the push I needed to step out on my own. From there, I began working as a lead stylist, and my business has been growing steadily ever since.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies is that success happens overnight. In reality, most careers in this industry are built slowly through consistency, relationships, and a lot of unglamorous work behind the scenes. What people see publicly is usually years in the making.

Another lie is that mistreatment is part of “paying your dues.” Long hours and high standards come with the job, but disrespect and poor working conditions should not be normalized. Healthy, professional environments exist, and they matter.

Lastly, there is a belief that talent alone is enough. Talent is important, but reliability, communication, and emotional intelligence are what sustain a career long term. The people who last are often the ones who are easiest to work with, not just the most creative.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I never set out with the goal of becoming a stylist. As a college freshman, I was interning at a digital marketing agency and quickly realized that working on social media all day was not where I thrived. Being on my phone constantly felt distracting rather than creative, and I knew I was meant to work in a more hands on, people focused way.

Around that time, I followed a stylist who had previously assisted with styling Kylie Jenner. I did not even fully understand what styling was as a career or what the job actually involved. She posted that she needed an intern for three days and said experience was not required, just a car. I was open to trying something new, so I messaged her and ended up working those three days.

Afterward, she told me I had been an exceptional intern and shared that she normally did not rehire interns, but that she saw something in me and wanted to help me grow. She connected me with other stylists and supported me in the earliest stages of my career.

Looking back, I do not feel like I was following a path I was told to take or chasing a title I had planned for. I was simply open, curious, and willing to say yes. Styling found me, and over time it became clear that this work aligns naturally with who I am. In that sense, I truly believe I am doing what I was born to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hannahmcdowell.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahhhmcdowell
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/hannah-mcdowell1

Image Credits
Australian Football League
Monica Baddar
Toma Kostygina
Lizbeth Hernandez