Meet El Monte Wardrobe Stylist: Valeria Santizo

Today We’d like to introduce you to Valeria Santizo.

Valeria, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in LA. I always had a deep love for fashion. When I was a junior in High School I was accepted into FIDM in Down Town LA. I graduated with an AA in Visual Communications. I then interned for multiple fashion lines and networked with photographers around LA. I am now working on a snap chat channel called LIT.TV where I am the head stylist.

Has it been a smooth road?
NO. There are times you start to question yourself and wonder if you’re doing the right thing. I would sometimes catch myself wondering whether I should have just gone to school and became a business executive or teacher. But then you realize nothing can make you as happy as doing what you love, and this is what I love.

When you look back, what are you most proud of?
When my father told me he finally understood why I choose to go into fashion as a career. At first, he thought being a wardrobe stylist couldn’t be a career and we argued about why I couldn’t go to school for a more secure paying job. That meant more to me than any other acknowledgment.

Every story has ups and downs. What were some of the downs others might not be aware of?
The hardest moment was believing in myself even when no one else did. You work with a lot of different personalities and tastes, sometimes you but head with people. There were times when I couldn’t find any work and I was ready to give up but I’m glad I didn’t. I learned that you have to learn to work with all kinds of people even if you think its too hard.

What’s your outlook for the industry in our city?
I think LA and New York are the best places to start a fashion career. There are lots of places to network and most of the jobs are out here or New York.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://valeriasantizo.weebly.com
• Phone: 626-652-1112
• Email: [email protected]