Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenni Lee.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In a nutshell, I started out wanting to work in film and began by moving from my small beach town in Florida to NYC and interned (working for free) in any type of department on indie films that would have me. That was key to discovering that “no, I don’t want paint sets at 5 am and move furniture all day in the art department” and “no, there is way too much math and technical skills to understand in the film department” but “yes, I do want to hunt every shop below 14th street for the perfect orange sweatshirt in the costume department.”
Landing a place in the costume department on film sets was the first time I received constant positive feedback for my curiosity, ideas, and enthusiasm which lead to me finding my passion in fashion. I always loved clothes and had already taught myself how to sew by shopping at thrift stores and taking apart vintage clothes to resize them for myself, so it was a natural fit.
One of the costume designers I started assisting was also a stylist (the first time I even heard what that was) and that was my big lesson in fashion with a capital F, from designers to set etiquette to stylist tricks; that was my crash course. At the same time, I was working as a wardrobe supervisor on movies and assisting on celeb and advertising shoots I was also beginning to style rock bands and musicians that were coming up in the NY music scene.
Eventually, there was no more time for film jobs, and I ended up taking a year-long touring job with Lauryn Hill at the peak of her success. In between touring I did a ton of music videos and print shoots and had settled in as a music fashion stylist.
Right about when Napster was crashing the music industry, I found myself with the opportunity to help launch a new men’s streetwear and lifestyle magazine. I continued to do music styling but gradually the magazine took over, and I was in a full-time position.
Antenna magazine had a nice five year run before folding as the publishing world was in the earliest stages of its slow demise. Shortly after, I moved to Los Angeles with my partner who had been accepted in the MFA program at CalArts, I have been in LA for six years now after nearly 20 in NYC.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The majority of my career path has been as a freelance stylist, so it has been a very rocky road. There have been salad years (happy hour buffets!) and flush years (YSL handbags!), but I have never not wanted to do what I am doing.
Whether I am on set styling or working with private clients, I just love the process of playing with clothes and creating images or helping someone feel amazing about themselves. The biggest challenges is keeping up with the constant changes in the various industries that I participate in: fashion, media, advertising, and retail.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
Currently, I specialize in editorial fashion styling, brand styling/consultancy, and private client styling. It allows me to fulfill the various aspects of my creative needs and utilize my varied skill sets. I love working with private clients for special events, make-overs and closet audits; it is deeply rewarding to work one-on-one in a very personal way.
I would say I get the most imaginative when I am styling editorials and creating a fashion fantasy world for print or digital media. When collaborating for brand and designer clients, I get to use my analytical side and do my best problem-solving in that capacity.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
In the broadest sense, it has been good luck when I met a person that led to an amazing opportunity. In the most specific way, there was one time I had just learned all about a niche category in fashion and the following week had a meeting with a prospective client that was solely focussed on that niche market.
Had the meeting been a week earlier I would not have landed that client because I had such a wealth of current information that was key to being hired. As far as bad luck goes, I would say the random times when I had a broken ankle or knee and had to travel, and style shoots was a difficult period to go through.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies on the type of job and can either be hourly or daily rates. For private clients, I will even work on a 6 or 12-month retainer fee. Email me for details!
Contact Info:
- Website: JenniLeeStylist.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @JenniLeeStylist
Image Credit:
Alex Black • Andrew Zaeh •Angela + Ithyle • Emily Malan • Riker brothers • Shanna Fisher •
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