Today we’d like to introduce you to Bec Gross.
Bec, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Creativity in all areas came very naturally to me growing up. After college, it became pretty clear to me that although I had spent the last four years studying Psychology, I should pursue something that fed my creative side.
I honestly was very hungry to learn more about the Fashion Industry when I first started out. At the time, there wasn’t social media the way there is now and it took much more than a few clicks to learn about being a Wardrobe Stylist. I used my personal contacts to learn more about the industry, connect with people who were out there in the field and just soak up as much as possible. I started shadowing a few stylists on Music Video sets and that was where I got my first taste of what it meant to work a Stylist. What it REALLY meant. From there, as I always say, I worked my way up. I started off with an amazing Internship with Celebrity Stylists Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn and that experience gave me the hands on learning you really and truly need to make it. Passion and a love for style were things that I had, but the grit that comes with interning, running errands, working crazy hours and more, will really separate those who can really make it as stylists.
When people ask me, “how do I get started?” I always say Intern.Intern. Intern. After my Internship, I had enough experience to work as a paid assistant and I worked for Stylist Monica Rose for about five years. I had an amazing experience assisting Monica. I worked with A list clients, worked on campaigns, TV, Commercials, etc. I learned a ton about how to approach different jobs and clients. Simply needing to make magic happen every single day will bring the best out of you. We were constantly racing against the clock and I felt like it was in those moments of high stress that my natural ability to stay calm in stressful situations allowed me to thrive. Combine that with my passion for the craft and seeing a vision come to life, that experience really allowed me to shine and gain confidence that would eventually allow me to take on my own clients and jobs.
As I started to book work as a stylist, I really enjoyed a variety of jobs and my previous assisting experience really prepared me to tackle anything from a commercial to a red carpet. I landed a Full-Time job at E! News dressing the Lead Hosts Giuliana Rancic and Catt Sadler. Through E! I gained experience of every single Red Carpet during the yearly Award Season. Oscars, Grammys, SAG Awards, Golden Globes. We covered them all! There is nothing quite like sewing a busted zipper together on live tv. I think I really proved to myself during my time there that I had what it takes to handle ANY situation thrown at me.
When I think back on how I got my start and where I am today, it has been an exciting journey. I truly find fulfillment in the variety of work I am blessed to do. The jobs can be on opposite ends of the spectrum but I am fulfilled by not feeling boxed into any one version of my work. From Paris Fashion Week and the Met Gala to styling 30 Mannequins for an interactive fashion experience for Kappa Brand; I am proud of it all.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road as a stylist is pretty smooth and predictable…said no one EVER! No really, the road has not been easy. Starving artist applies to stylists as well especially at the beginning of your career. I feel like there is a common misconception about this when it comes to fashion because of the glamour associated with it. The big budgets and the big team of assistants to help you with the huge workload doesn’t come until later in the game. You truly have LOVE the craft and in order to love it, you have to understand it, in and out. You must be willing to bust you’re a**, rely on yourself, be willing to work late nights, long hours and be attentive to your clients and carry yourself with grace through it all.
The past few months have brought forth very public conversations about race in Fashion, among many other industries. I have absolutely been in many situations where I have struggled to get placements on my black clients; struggles that didn’t exist when it came to my white clients. It’s a weird place to be; almost like a fly on the wall with a clear view on how black talent are viewed, especially when I myself am a black woman. This has been a struggle that has really forced me to get creative in my craft. It is bittersweet because through this struggle, I have worked with some amazing independent designers that I may not have known about otherwise.
I have been BLESSED to have really and truly enjoyed the people that I work with. In that sense, my journey has been very smooth.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am Celebrity Wardrobe Stylist working in Los Angeles. I specialize in dressing clients for anything from Red Carpets to Street Style. One thing I am very proud of is my experience in dressing almost every shape and size. It is easy to throw a runway sample on a beautiful size two actress but what about every other size out there? What does and doesn’t work on certain body types, etc., I LOVE leaving my clients feeling confident. I have dressed new moms who didn’t feel great about their new bodies and changed the entire way they carried themselves through a perfectly styled outfit.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
One of my favorite memories is drawing and sketching. Pouring it all out into a sketchbook. Most of my drawings were Fashion drawings when I was young. The other kids had stick figures and I had women in full belted gowns, with different textures and a full face of makeup. I guess I was a different breed!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Other: @becmgross
Image Credit:
Lance Gross
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