August 13, 2019

Meet Kris Fe

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kris Fe.

Kris, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m originally from Corona, CA. Take it back to 12 years ago, I got my start in fashion in retail. I was a Sales Associate at Francesca’s Collections and worked my way up to Store Manager — I continued my retail career at COS and Anthropologie, where I discovered my love for styling clients. Besides leading and helping my team grow, what i thrived off of was interacting with customers. I remember always wanting to be in the fitting room, helping clients get ready for whatever event or occasion they were shopping for. I would look forward to seeing the complete 180’s clients would have from walking into the store, confused and unsure, to walking out of the styling appointment feeling confident and happy. Each client was different, they all had a different story and it was the ultimate challenge. But I knew that this was not what I wanted or myself for the rest of my life. I knew I wanted something more, something bigger and beyond retail, and that’s when I finally decided I wanted to pursue Celebrity Styling as a career.

I remember coming home from work defeated and frustrated at where I was in my career. It seemed like everyone I knew was either getting promoted, graduating from college or securing positions in the career paths they had always wanted — and there I was STUCK. I will always remember the day I went over best friend Jannet’s apartment. I told her I was so disappointed and upset at where I was in my career and that I would do anything to be a celebrity stylist I just didn’t know how to get started; so she suggested I talked to her roommate Zach. Long story short Zach told me something that I will never forget, and till this days is one thing that still resonates with me. “It only takes one” He told me to continue to reach out to stylists I admired and to keep fighting for what I wanted because it only takes ONE, ONE person to notice you, and at the end of the day that’s all that mattered.

That’s what kickstarted it all. From that day on, I was motivated. I emailed stylists and DM’d a few on Instagram but wanted only one to respond, Dani Michelle. I’d been following her work for quite some time and wanted the opportunity to do whatever I could to help. I was prepared to start from the bottom and work my way up. I remember telling her how much I loved her work and that I was willing to do anything on all of my days off to contribute to her business, and that’s exactly what I did. I worked EVERY, SINGLE, DAY — Seven days a week, five days as a manager and 2 days as an intern. I honestly didn’t even know if I could even land a position on her team until that day finally came six months later, when she offered me a full-time position on her team as Second Assistant. Fast forward a year later and I’m now her First Styling Assistant, where I get the opportunity to assist her and work alongside some o the biggest names in Hollywood.

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
NO — 100% NOT. It was not a smooth road and still is not a smooth road. You have to earn your spot in this industry and have to continue to work hard. I remember when I was interning, I was scared for MY LIFE to quite my stable 9-5 job and go into freelancing. It was a HUGE risk i’d be taking, but I knew I had to make sacrifices in order to move forward. I worked so hard, 7 days a week and had long 2 hour commutes from Orange County to LA for 6 months straight until I finally relocated to LA in 2018. But I can honestly say every single day has been worth the struggle. I started from the bottom as an intern to first assistant, I now have also been fortunate enough to work towards building my own client base and work on projects on my own.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m a Los Angeles based Stylist. I’d like to think that what sets me apart from others is my indicative and androgynous styling approach. I always aim to collaborate with the clients I’m working with to enhance their own individualistic image and vision. I love combining streetwear with high fashion to create fresh and modern memorable looks. Currently I’m focused on building up a client roaster of my own. I’d love to work with a client that I’m able to build upon what their current style is, and help evolve it into something bigger.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans for my future is to have clients of my own. Currently, I am still a first assistant, but as I mentioned, I am working towards building a client roster as well as working on jobs to build a reputable reputation in the fashion/entertainment industry. I’m constantly growing and my goal is to always continue to break boundaries and I strive to do this throughout my career.

Contact Info:

Website: Krisfe.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisfe_/?hl=en

Image Credit:
Pia Mia Photographer: Solmaz Saberi, Jordan Footwear Photographer: Eddie Grams

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