Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Fabella.
Hi Kara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story, like many these days, is not a linear one. Career-wise, I’ve lived many lives, but I always knew deep down I wanted to be immersed in the style and film world.
After spending years in the retail and product development world in-house at various brands, I decided to branch out on my own at the height of the pandemic. I’d already developed somewhat of a micro-following in the ethical fashion space—creating content and/or creatively directing shoots for independent brands outside of my 9-5.
As scary as it was, sitting at a desk for the rest of my life was not an option. I also knew that I didn’t want to just be a part of an industry that continues to be inherently wasteful.
Through my work as a style consultant, I build clients’ awareness to be more mindful consumers.
As a wardrobe stylist, whenever possible, I do my best to source only secondhand, upcycled, or from independent brands.
As a community organizer, I collaborate with organizations and local brands on curating events that educate and activate audiences to reimagine a fairer world in the fashion industry.
While it’s easier to coin myself as a style consultant and wardrobe stylist, my work intersects with so many things–fair fashion advocacy, independent film, creative strategy, and community organizing.
Alright, 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?
Being a “multi-hyphenate” with so many ideas from different corners of my brain will always be a struggle. I have an overactive mind, so it’s necessary to write everything down!
Because of the different avenues I pursue, each month (each week even) looks different from the last. So, I’m always striving to find ways to hold all these ideas close to my chest while focusing on at least 1 or 2 and following through on them.
The other constant has been the inconsistency of work. Understanding that certain months will be slower and there will be no on-set gigs or style clients. However, now that I’ve figured out the ebb and flow of work seasons, I’ve found ways to diversify my skillsets and stay busy–whether that’s collaborating with other creatives to make magic for test shoots, networking at art, fashion, and culture events, or investing in a new course.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an SF/LA-based multi-hyphenate creative whose work sits at the intersection of fashion styling, fair fashion advocacy, community building, and content creation.
I’m also a community organizer for global nonprofit @remakeourworld, where I collaborate with brands and businesses committed to accessibility and equity in fashion.
More recently, my work has included working on independent film projects (@dalycityshortfilm @rainbowgirlsfilm @pagbabalikfilm) whose stories highlight underrepresented voices.
Additionally, I offer in-person & virtual style consultations for individuals and companies. Services include closet audits, personal shopping, curated style resource guides, workshops, and long-term foundational advice for the consciously minded. You can find me on socials at @theflippside with all the necessary links of my work in my bio.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
One big thing I’ve learned is that there is risk in reward and there’s value in trusting your intuition. Regardless of the outcome, you’ve already learned something in taking that risk–whether it’s understanding how you work with others, what you should have said yes to, and how you can do better with your overall creative process.
There have been a lot of firsts for me in the last couple of years–I creatively directed my first sustainable fashion show and I was even tasked with curating my first art installation in my very own booth.
Ultimately, I know neither turned out perfectly or exactly as I’d imagined. Afterwards, I found myself mentally listing all the things I could have done better. But I did them, and regardless of those intrusive thoughts, they were both ultimately well received because I’ve always stayed true to my why.
Every creative goes through that moment of cringe at every level of their career, asking themselves if they have a relevant voice/aesthetic/story. But putting ourselves out there every day in a world that tells us more and more to push down our individuality is a risk in itself.
Embrace the cringe and move forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theflippside.myportfolio.com/work
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/theflippside
- Other: https://karafabella.co
Image Credits
Giovana Hurst, Lara Kaur, Vita Hewitt
