Today we’d like to introduce you to LISA SMEDLEY-CALDERON.
Hi LISA, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up with a mom who was a professional model. I was surrounded by fashion and the love for fashion growing up. I knew as a young girl from Cincinnati, that I wanted to have a career in the fashion industry. I knew that my love for fashion would eventually take me to Los Angeles or New York to go to pursue it.
I chose Los Angeles ,to attend college and to pursue my fashion career because of my mom’s twin sister and her husband living there. During that time they were very much involved in the entertainment world . He was a singer for the group started by the legendary Don Cornelius, creator of Soul Train.
After I finished college in LA, I had my heart set on working as Fashion Consultant for Saks 5th Ave in Beverly Hills. I worked there and built a roster of celebrity clients. However a co-worker knew of a new agent that was representing Wardrobe Stylists, and she felt like I needed to call her. She had witnessed several celebrity clients asking me to personally style them. She stated that I should be styling celebrities as a full time career. I really didn’t know a career like that even existed. I reached out to the agent, who at the time was called Crystal Hair, Makeup and Wardrobe.. This was around 1989. Fashion Stylist were starting to get more recognition. Crystal Wright trained me and had me assist a top Fashion Stylist and Costume Designer, Michelle Cole, who is still my mentor. . I worked hard, asked questions, kept my mouth shut when It was not time for me to speak but rather watched and observed. I never complained about any sort of job. It did not matter how small I thought the job was, I learned from them all!
I eventually got my first job as a Fashion Stylist where I styled my first artist , Chuckii Booker for his first album and his music videos. Chuckii loved how I styled him and gave my name to other artists. I, as well, called every artist I wanted to style. Left my resumes and continued to push my name and reach out to managers of artist and record labels. I then started working with the legendary director of the 90s , Lionel Martin. He was directing every group and solo artist that was hot. He loved my work and I became his go to Fashion Stylist for all his music videos. I also worked with many other notable directors and styled over 200 music videos during the 90s. I was on tour with Paula Abdul and Color Me badd. I was styling artists for the red carpet for the Grammys, MTV Awards, AMAS, Billboard Awards, Soul Train Awards and more. I was styling iconic artist like Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, DAngelo, Ralph Tresvant, Envogue, Boyz To Men , Color Me Badd, Guy, Keith Sweat, Ginuwine, the Heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson and many more.
I got married in 1992 to Mark Calderon, member of the group Color Me Badd. I continued to style the top artist but took a break once my kids were born to stay at home with my kids as their dad traveled touring. I then continued my break from the music industry to care for both my parents who got sick . I do not regret those decisions at all. It was the best decision I made for myself and my family. Time with them is something you can never get back. I still kept in touch with many of the productions and directors I worked with because I knew I would eventually go back to my career.
Once my kids got older I decided to return to the entertainment industry, but this time focusing on Costume Designing for films and TV. I had to reinvent myself as the whole industry had changed. I had no idea about using the social network to advertise myself. I had no FB and IG. I pretty much had to start all over. I started calling all the directors I had great relationships with and production companies I worked with. They were eager to help me and pass my name to other directors and productions. This is one of the reasons when I mentor young people, I stress the importance of having and maintaining good relationships. Word of mouth is everything! Your reputation and how you worked on a project is remembered when it comes to referrals.
I eventually worked my way back up in the film industry with a lot of hard work, and sometimes swallowing my pride when I was taking positions where I may have had more experience then the person whom hired me. However I needed to get my foot in the door and build my resume with film and tv work . I went from being a Costume Buyer to a ACD to currently a Costume Designer. I have been blessed to have Costume Designed many projects with amazing actors and some who as a kid I never thought I would be working with. Actresses like the legendary Pam Grier, and legendary actor , John Travolta. I have nothing but gratitude and I always remain humble, as I realize I am very blessed to do what I love.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I first started pursuing my career in fashion there were many jobs I took for free to build relationships . There were times when I was working at Saks 5th Ave and then going to shoot a free photo shoot till hours in the morning . I was trying to get photos ( what we called tear sheets) so I could have some sort of images in my portfolio. I would then be back at work 5 hours later because I still needed a paycheck to live! It wasn’t easy but I was young, and no kids. It was just me so I only had to take care of me.
When I came back to the film industry after my 8 yr break from my career it was much harder. I had to reinvent myself. I was married, a mom of 2 kids and at that time my life had been literally put on hold to care for my parents who both got sick. I did not have the time like I did before because it was not just myself
I had to think about.
I worked very hard. I took classes to teach me about the new technology, learning about advertising myself on social media, calling and emailing everyone I knew and new people I wanted to work with. Sending my resume that at the time with older projects sometimes became discouraging, but I knew if I stayed persistent, I could highlight some of my past work. I had been fortunate to have worked with legendary artists, so even though it was older projects, the respect for them was still very much relevant. All I needed was to get a chance to speak to the person I was trying to get to hire me. I knew could sell myself. I was always authentic and honest about what I was trying to achieve. I was always grateful to everyone who gave me a opportunity by sending hand written thank you notes. Something I feel is still the best way to thank someone. Its something about taking the time to sit and write a note then mail it where it shows people you cared enough to take the time. I stayed consistent with calling, emailing and following up with emails to those people until the doors opened up.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Costume Designer and Fashion Stylist.
As a Costume Designer I tell stories through use of my costumes. I create characters based on the script and my costumes tell the audience what type of character you are seeing before they speak. I am a storyteller. It is so much more to costume design than finding great wardrobe. People have no idea how much preparation goes into developing the characters before you see them on the screen. I research and research when I am creating a character to make sure my costumes are authentic to what the character should look like. There are tons of meetings , fittings, very long hours and more. I am taking into consideration everything from fabrics, details like zippers, buttons, colors, patterns, and what was worn during the era the movie is taking place. These are just a few things that are part of my research. When the actor puts on their costume, it is important that they feel like they are that character they are portraying. I always tell aspiring Costume Designers , you must love it and have a passion for it. We sometimes work hours on our own time preparing to make sure everything is right. There is nothing glamorous about being a Costume Designer , which is a big misconception. The glamorous part takes place once you get to the end and you go to the red carpets. Myself and my colleagues sometimes chuckle when we hear people say how they want to do to so they can shop all day!
Its so much more then that!
However when you see your name on the credits and you see how wonderful the costumes look, its is all worth it. It is truly my passion.
As a Fashion stylist I create images for artists, actors and athletes. The look is based on several things. The music they sing if they are a singer, the occasion and how they want to be seen by their fans. Fashion Styling is usually for that moment in time so it can be super trendy or classic depending on the artist. I go into great detail when I am styling my client so that they go to that event or photo shoot feeling amazing and feeling like it is who they are. The fit has to be right so good alterations are must. Fashion Styling is something I will always do as it really paved the way for me to be where I am today.
I love fashion and everything that comes with it.
What matters most to you?
My faith. Having daily gratitude . Staying humble and giving back which is why I love mentoring others who are aspiring Fashion Stylist and Costume Designers. God has given me a gift and it’s important I use my gift to inspire others. Its important to me that I am leaving a positive impact on the world.
I feel that is my purpose.
I have a strong faith in Jesus. From that faith I try to live how he would want me to live my life and treat people. I am a woman of God first , then being a mom to my children are second. As being a woman of God is what shapes me to being the best I can be as a mom and a woman. My two young adult kids are everything to me. They are the reason I have worked so hard.
I am a healthy lifestyle advocate. I have unfortunately seen so many of my friends younger then me, who have passed or dealing with sickness. I really try to educate others on the importance of eating healthy and exercising. If I did not have a career in fashion I would most likely have become a healthy lifestyle coach. It is something I have actually thought about getting a degree in as I grow more and more to love helping others with educating them about their health.
I also advocate for keeping our planet healthy. Our oceans and cities are full of toxins and trash. We consume so much as people when it comes to things we throw away. I advocate for using sustainable fashion as much as we can. Although I cannot use it for every project, I try to incorporate it when I can.
I am vegan so my love for saving our wildlife and just our whole planet is something I am passionate about as well.
I want to be that person that makes a change in peoples lives and anyway I can to help save our planet. The air we breath. The food we eat. I love being a Costume Designer and Fashion Stylist but I always state I am also so much more!
I have so many more things I want to do and I look forward to using my gifts to make a change anyway I can.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fashionstylingbylisa.com
- Instagram: @lisaloveslife0229
- Twitter: @livelifenow0603
