Meet Kevin Valenzuela of New York City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Valenzuela.

Hi Kevin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love for fashion has been ingrained in me since I was a little boy. I was always experimental with how I dressed, constantly pushing the envelope in ways that drew a lot of attention growing up. Whether the attention was supportive or not, I always knew who I was and what I wanted to do with my life.

After high school, I immediately entered the world of luxury fashion sales while continuing my studies in fashion design. During that time, I began designing clothing myself, creating pieces for friends and selling them through social media. I learned how to construct patterns, tailor garments, sew, and screen print. During the pandemic, I launched a contemporary streetwear brand that gained recognition among friends and supporters of the brand. Through that experience, I began learning the business side of fashion as well, working with dye houses and exploring the world of wholesale.

The brand ultimately ran for about a year. At a certain point, I began to lose my passion for running the business, and it led me to step away from fashion altogether for nearly a year. I went through what I now call a “fashion crisis,” questioning whether this was truly the industry I wanted to build my life in.

After some time, I returned to fashion and accepted a role as an assistant in the Fifth Avenue Club at Saks Fifth Avenue — essentially a private department of luxury personal shoppers. It was luxury fashion at its finest, and I was completely fascinated by the world.

The top personal shopper in the entire company, who generated over $10 million a year and essentially ran his own business within the business, was based in Beverly Hills. I wasn’t originally hired to work with him, but on my second day they asked me to assist him. He had a reputation for going through assistants quickly, but we immediately clicked. I often joke that he had the work ethic and energy of someone like Rachel Zoe — a nonstop schedule and an incredibly demanding clientele.

What surprised us both was how naturally we worked together. He was a bit crazy, I was a bit crazy, and somehow it just worked. I assisted him for four months before being promoted into a unique program within the company, where I was given a selection of clients he couldn’t personally attend to and the opportunity to grow my own business.

Working alongside him confirmed something for me: this was exactly where I was meant to be. My boss dressed celebrity clients and some of the most prominent women in Beverly Hills. It truly was a world of its own, and I was incredibly grateful to be part of it. The relationships I built with these women are relationships I will carry with me for life.

Our days were filled with fittings, pulls, and events. I had the opportunity to assist on fittings for celebrity clients, appear briefly on an episode of The Kardashians on Hulu, and contribute to the reboot of The Simple Life. We also hosted events with designers that my boss worked closely with and had long-standing relationships with.

That experience gave me something incredibly valuable in this industry: access and relationships.

Eventually my boss moved on, and it became my moment to step forward and begin building my own name. Over the next six months, I developed my own client base and built relationships with clients who are still part of my book today.

As much as I loved my time in Beverly Hills, I knew it was time for a new chapter. Beverly Hills will always represent the beginning of my career, but I felt called to take everything I had learned — and everyone I had met — and bring it with me to the next stage.

That next stage is New York City.

I’ve now made the move and am beginning this new chapter as a personal shopper and stylist in New York, building my career in one of the most influential fashion capitals in the world.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh, there were many struggles. A lot of days were tough — this is not a job for the weak, and I learned that every single day I walked in. It demands not only physical and mental stamina, but an unshakable sense of confidence.

There were countless moments where I questioned myself. Am I equipped for this? Can I secure the same level of access to product for my clients that my boss can? Will I ever build a clientele at his level? Those doubts are constant in an environment like this. It’s highly competitive, incredibly fast-paced, and the expectations are relentless.

At a certain point, you realize no one is going to hand you that confidence — you have to build it yourself. You have to trust your eye, your instincts, and your ability to deliver, even on the days you feel uncertain.

The most accurate way I can describe the experience is that it mirrors The Rachel Zoe Project. If you’ve seen it, you understand the pressure, the pace, and the level of precision required. And if you haven’t, it’s the closest depiction of what it really takes to survive — and eventually thrive — in this world.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
With that being said, I made the decision to move to New York City to begin my own career as a private luxury shopper and stylist. I bring with me not only my industry experience, but also a network of relationships that allow me to offer a highly personalized and elevated service.

My work spans everything from wardrobe building and closet editing to styling the day-to-day aspects of my clients’ lives. More importantly, I provide the tools for clients to confidently navigate their own sense of style while developing a deeper, more personal connection to clothing.

It’s very important to me that I don’t completely change how someone looks. Instead, I take the time to understand who they are — starting with what they already own — and use that as the foundation to refine and elevate their style. My goal is to ensure my clients feel like themselves, even with me involved in the process.

My work isn’t about makeovers — it’s about refinement. To me, a wardrobe is a lifestyle. I’m not here to erase what you have and replace it with an entirely new identity. I’m here to fine-tune the version of yourself you’ve already begun creating, but may not yet know how to fully articulate or navigate.

Having spent my entire career in fashion sales, stepping out on my own marks a pivotal shift. For the first time, I’m able to move beyond selling and focus purely on fashion — on the artistry, the intention, and the relationship between clothing and identity.

What sets me apart is my honesty. I believe in open dialogue and true collaboration. This is not a one-sided process where I dictate every decision. I’m not here to control the vision — I’m here to build it with you. I listen, I interpret, and together we create something that feels authentic, elevated, and entirely your own.

What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, my focus is on building meaningful relationships that shape and elevate my career. I want to meet people along the way who make this journey not only successful, but truly special.

As I step into this new chapter, I’m especially excited to discover and collaborate with independent designers whose work can bring something unique and intentional to my clients’ wardrobes. Supporting emerging talent while curating something distinctive for each client is a priority of mine.

Long term, I envision creating a space of my own — a home that serves both as a creative studio and a private client environment. A place where I can host fittings, introduce new designers, and cultivate an atmosphere that feels both elevated and welcoming. More than anything, I want it to feel like a second home — not just for me, but for my clients as well.

Above all, I’m looking forward to the journey itself and everything it will bring.

For those interested in working together, I invite you to reach out via Instagram to schedule a consultation. I’m excited to connect with new clients in New York City, and I welcome inquiries from anywhere in the world.

Instagram: @kevivalenzuela

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevivalenzuela