Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Kor.
Stephanie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I always felt that style isn’t something you can learn, it’s a talent that you’re kind of born with.
I’ve always liked fashion since I can remember. As a kid I would always draw little fashion sketches of outfits for my friends and would be inspired by the fashion on T.V. Throughout high school, I got really into music and would change my style to reflect the type of music I was listening to at the time.
I didn’t really start my fashion career until I started working at a local vintage store owned by a woman named Eiko from Japan. She was very inspiring to me and taught me a lot about the history of fashion and I developed my sense of style from working there. I owe a lot to my career from working at this place.
After being there for 4 years I decided to leave and I worked at a few different places that contributed to my style, which is reflective in my work today, such as All Saints doing visual merchandising, Forever 21 as a web merchandiser/stylist and I even opened up my own online and brick and mortar store called Bear Cat. I freelanced as a stylist while working at these places and got a lot of my jobs through connections with friends in the industry.
Today I still do freelance styling work and I also work for a company that has two different lines, Velvet Heart and Free Heart. I am creative director and stylist for the company. I still do a vintage store online called Feathers and Smoke and I make jewelry.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think the fashion industry is very tough and competitive place to be. Everyone wants to work in the industry so I’ve seen a lot of people let go because they couldn’t keep up the pace. This forced me to always work hard and to keep improving myself. I’ve had my struggles with finding the right job that had the right balance and would keep me happy and inspired. I feel like I’ve found that with the current company I work for. I worked many different types of jobs but I learned I always feel the happiest when I can be creative.
What role has luck had in your life and career?
I’m a social person and make friends easy, I have also worked in a lot of different areas in the fashion industry, so over time I made a lot of connections. I think I’m lucky in a sense that I met such great people over the years that have helped me tremendously in my career. They are the reason for the majority of my jobs and I feel very thankful for that.
I haven’t had too many bad luck experiences, but I also see bad luck as a learning opportunity.
Is there a quality or characteristic that has played an outsized role in your success?
I’ve always had a great eye for things and I think that isn’t something you can just learn. It’s a trait that you’re born with. Also having a lot of determination, the fashion industry can be very tough and cut throat at times, especially in the creative part of things, so it’s important to have a thick skin.
Tell us about your favorite and least favorites things about our city.
I can’t imagine living anywhere else. It’s the best city because you have everything you need without having to travel too far. You have great weather, the beach, and the mountains the list goes on!
There’s also great food, you can see most of the bands you want to see because they always tour in LA and the fashion is great too.
I get very inspired by street fashion over runway because I feel like street fashion has more of a personality and tells more of a story about the person.
The only thing I dislike about LA is the traffic and the public transportation system, I wish this was better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/feathersandsmoke
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @stephaniekor and @feathersandsmoke
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/feathersandsmoke/
