Today we’d like to introduce you to Aunna Kelly.
Hi Aunna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a celebrity wardrobe stylist from Shreveport, Louisiana currently living in Los Angeles, California.
I moved to Los Angeles in July 2018 to grow and broaden my creative brand, Starvn Artist Studio. Most don’t know, but along with me being a wardrobe stylist, I am an artist of many forms, including fine arts, graphic design, fashion design, and at one point, photography.
When I lived in Louisiana, I would have pop-up shops where I would sell my drawings/paintings along with vintage clothing I would repurpose. I did this for some years and was very successful.
I always wanted to live in Los Angeles and after some time of doing pop of shops in my hometown, I decided to move my business to LA and expand.
I sold all of my belongings and raised $5,000 to move to LA within 30 days. I purchased a bus ticket and moved my entire life across the country to follow my dreams of expanding my business.
After first moving to LA, I quickly noticed the market for independent art vendors like myself was heavily saturated. At the time, I was also enrolled at the Academy of Art University (online program) studying fashion styling. Between fashion school. Living in LA and seeing so many different jobs in the fashion industry, I decided to pursue wardrobe styling as my career.
In July of 2018, I was working at Opening Ceremony, the first job I landed when I moved to Los Angeles. There I met so many celebrity wardrobe stylists and that’s when my career really started. My first wardrobe styling video was as an intern for “Drip Too Hard” by Lil Baby and Gunna. I made as many connections as I could that day that opened doors and ultimately paved the way to where I am today, a five years celebrity wardrobe stylist.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being an entrepreneur is one of the most challenging things I’ve done in my life. I cannot express the amount of dedication, consistency, and faith you have to have to succeed. Every failure has to be looked at as a lesson for business and character development. There are so many battles that can feel like defeat, but you just have to find the willpower & hunger to keep going and keep building your empire!
The biggest struggle when taking a leap of faith into entrepreneurship I would say is establishing financial security. That is the foundation of your business in so many ways; it can make or break you.
Next, I would say learning the right tools and skills to be a leader in your business, not only for yourself but for those who may work alongside or under you.
Another key factor is consistency. The entrainment and fashion industry can be very cutthroat and viscous. It’s very tempting to give up or switch career fields. But honestly, the more consistent you are, the more you stand out and are remembered.
There have been so many times I thought of giving up or dissolving my business but I’m so glad I kept going. I started Starvn Artist Studio in 2016, seven years ago and to see where I came from to where I am today is mind-blowing when I allow myself to sit back and soak in the company’s success. The thought of me giving up years ago when I was at my lowest, feeling so defeated, would mean none of this would be possible today, and that is something that would haunt me for the rest of my life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a celebrity wardrobe stylist and creative director. I specialize in men’s clothing; however, I do love to dress up glamorous woman from time to time!
I am probably most known for working with and styling a lot of new, upcoming male hip hop artists in the music industry.
I am most proud of my Giuseppe shoe campaign featuring hip hop rapper, Young Thug. I was the lead wardrobe stylist for this campaign. It’s my most prized shoot of my career, one I feel like I successfully and confidently executed!
As a black female entrepreneur styling male hip hop artists, I already feel set apart from others. This is something that can be looked at as intimating – being a woman in a male-dominated industry, but it’s something I use to my advantage. I use my charm and feminine energy to create an inviting and comfortable environment for my clients & their team.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
For me, being a successful leader and business owner means you have to be self-aware, be able to hold yourself accountable, set a good example for others on your team that look up to you for direction, love your business unconditionally, and be willing to sacrifice your very last to keep your business afloat. You literally have to eat, sleep, and breathe success into your business. No days off!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/princessaunna?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
- Other: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SAQEHuT5YSIfeL-b6_bg5ZpkJSXAn0Od/view?usp=drivesdk
