Daily Inspiration: Meet Chelsea Staebell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Staebell.

Hi Chelsea, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was going to school at University of Hawaii studying Fashion Design and decided to transfer to FIDM. I wanted to go to FIT in New York but once I escaped winter, I was happy to stay in the sunshine a little longer. About a year into school, I volunteered at LA FASHION WEEK. While volunteering, I met a stylist at one of the shows and she mentioned interning. About a month later, I was an intern on my first show “Secret Talents of the Stars”. The show was canceled 3 weeks in, a perfect intro to the industry!
The stylist gave my name to a commercial stylist and with that, the career began…

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been anything but smooth! Luckily since I started in commercials, I was able to work during the writer’s strike that were happening at the time. However, since I only had one contact, I was still doing other side gigs. One which included passing out pizza samples at Costcos outside of LA.
Once I started working more consistently, I asked one of my professors at FIDM if I should try to get a job in Fashion versus Costume. He encouraged me to stay with my current opportunity explaining that I was making contacts that could help me start a fashion line down the road. With that advice, I haven’t really looked back since.
I think some of the other struggles are the sacrifices I have made in my personal life. I have missed countless weddings, birthdays, funerals and other important events due to work throughout my career.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work in the costume department on everything from television shows to features to live shows and touring to commercials and marketing ads.
I specialize as an ACD (assistant costume designer) and Costume Designer. I also do costume supervising, but prefer to be on the more creative side of things. I am most proud of all the things we have pulled off as a department! There are always countless requests that seem impossible, but somehow we get it done. I think my experience and knowledge of all different types of entertainment mediums sets me apart. I have built relationships around the world and am grateful to have met and worked with all these creatives!

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I read a few books when I first started years ago, I would have to look up the names!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @chilllllc