Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Papanikolas.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The Anders Edit was born out of my experience working with top fashion brands and being continually inspired by that moment when the right look and the right fit brought confidence to women. I live for that connection when feeling good on the outside fuels the passion on the inside. A few years ago, I decided to leave my 15-year career in the corporate side of fashion and retail to spend more time at home with my daughter who was just one year old at the time. It was difficult to leave my fashion buying job because I was passionate about it. However, I followed my instincts and knew it was the right thing to do. During my hiatus, I couldn’t stay away completely from fashion, so I worked part-time at a high-end women’s and men’s clothing boutique in Manhattan Beach, CA. Spending time styling some amazing local clients made me realize that I wanted to pursue my passion and start my own styling business. Stepping away from a corporate track and being independent would allow me the freedom to be around more for my daughter and future son (I’m 31 weeks pregnant).
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been an easy road. There are so many stylists in L.A. area and to be honest, I talked myself out of getting started multiple times. I finally decided to go for it this past fall and partnered with a wardrobe styling company called Ready To Where for administrative and marketing support to help jumpstart my business. They’ve been so great and supportive! I’ve really only just begun so I expect there will be ebbs and flows as that’s the natural road of doing business.
Please tell us about The Anders Edit.
The Anders Edit is a multi-faceted styling business centered around wardrobe consulting and personal styling. I help my clients optimize their wardrobes by determining what to purge, tailor or keep as well as make recommendations on what key seasonal pieces are missing from their closet. We strategize about what to shop for based on style, body type, budget and lifestyle which can be accomplished online or in-store. Once we’ve picked new pieces we want to try, I bring them over to my clients’ homes, have a try-on session and outfit everything showing them different ways to style the new pieces with their existing wardrobe.
The Anders Edit is also an IG style blog where I share my daily personal style, shopping tips and promote local boutiques in the South Bay L.A. It’s so important to me to be connected to our community. I’ve partnered with a few of the local boutiques to style looks and model them for their IG content. I also worked with my first fashion styling client, a local rock n’ roll violinist, Emily Kilimnik for a couple of marketing and media photoshoots. Needless to say, The Anders Edit encompasses different facets of my passion for serving my clients.
What role has luck (good luck or bad luck) played in your life and business?
Not sure that I would say I’m lucky or unlucky. There’s a quote from Tina Turner that recently stuck with me, “I believe that if you’ll just stand up and go, life will open for you.” I’m learning that we all have the ability to manifest what we want from our lives. As soon as I just went for it and moved through all the self-doubt, things really opened up for me as it relates to my styling business. Local partnerships began to form, clients started to come to me and I felt this creative flow and momentum. Perhaps, it’s a little bit of luck but, the power of believing in yourself and putting yourself out there is everything! Just go for it. I still need to remind myself of this every day. It’s working.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theandersedit.com
- Email: amypapanick@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theandersedit/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andersedit/
Image Credit:
Summer Hopper, Mike Carreiro, Kyler Yamashiro
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