August 23, 2016

Meet Los Feliz Wardrobe Stylist: Ebony Campbell

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ebony Campbell.

Ebony, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I moved from Oakland to LA in 2006 promptly after high school to go to FIDM. I initially wanted to be a buyer so I studied Merchandise Marketing and after learning retail math and the ins and outs of what it is to be a buyer I knew that I wanted a career that was a lot more hands-on and creative.

Styling was something I always dreamed of doing but it always seemed so far fetched and just impossible to get into. When my friend called me and asked if I wanted to intern with her for a well-known celebrity stylist I jumped at the opportunity. For about a year I assisted Jessica Paster and learned the ins and outs of the business. I assisted her when dressing her clients for red carpet appearances for award shows such as the Emmy’s, AMA’s and the MTV awards. I also assisted on a variety of big publication editorials, commercials and bejeweled many outfits for the Pussy Cat Doll tour.

When it was time to move on I started assisting and soon became the first assistant to stylist and creative director Moses Moreno where I helped him with numerous editorials for Interview magazine and some celebrity dressing.

When graduation time came around I was introduced to a new e-commerce company called Hautelook where I have now been working at for almost 7 years. Today I am their Lead RTW Stylist styling all major marketing campaigns as well as managing a team of 21 stylists. I have been simultaneously working as a freelance stylist styling for clients such as Rocket Dog shoes, Capote Collection, Sky, Jolene and JD Sports just to name a few. My favorite part of my freelance career is styling editorials.

Has it been a smooth road?
I remember the conversation I had with my career advisor when I told her I was interested in being a stylist and the first thing she said to me was that I will need to make sure I really wanted it. That I will spend a good amount of time working for free in efforts to get my name out there. As scary as that sounded I followed my heart and quickly found out how right she was.

The beginning was challenging trying to find jobs that paid, paid on time while trying to build a decent portfolio. I had many moments where I asked myself why I didn’t just pick a more practical career as I watched my friends graduate from Universities and receive impressive offer letters that immediately paid them so much more then I was hustling to make. Needless to say, it hasn’t always been a smooth road but it has been a fun and rewarding ride and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The industry has changed so much from the moment I ended college to today. The biggest cause of this evolution, in my opinion, is the growth of technology and social media. I think the biggest change is the exposure we are now able to get and the knowledge we are able to gain through connecting with people on the internet. I think this industry is going to continue to be driven by creative people who either show their style to the world or their talents in design, photography, and art in general. Consumers are connecting more with people and brands because they can literally see the day to day and that is going help trends spread faster and become more available to the masses as it already doing now. I see small fashion houses and upcoming creatives collaborating around the world because of the available access and as always consumers will follow,

What would you say has been the biggest challenge for you over the course of your career?
My biggest challenge over the years has been “getting in my head.” Often times creative type people will slide into a mental space where they question their talents, question their decisions that have gotten them to the place they are currently, and question whether or not their dreams are actually attainable or will forever remain dreams. That is the biggest challenge for me however as I continue on this journey I’ve learned that that place that I now so seldom fall into is my biggest enemy. Dreams can only turn into reality when you believe. However you cannot just believe, you have to “do”, consistently. Even when the check doesn’t come in time in the mail, even when your story doesn’t get picked up for the publication of your dreams, you have to keep believing and keep doing. The challenge sometimes is to strip away all the bs that comes with constantly trying to “make it” and just getting to the bare bones of enjoying the feeling of doing what you truly love. It’s a battle sometimes but I realized the older and more experienced I get, the less I slip into a place where I am the only person holding me back.

What advice do you wish to give to those thinking about pursuing a path similar to yours?
Be fearless. Put yourself out there and network with everyone, it really is who you know. Build a community of like-minded creative people that can help bring you up when you are in a creative slump, it’s vital. Shoot, shoot as much as you can and get addicted to the feeling of bringing something that lives inside your head to life. Get ready to hustle and get dirty, styling isn’t always or maybe just isn’t at all glamorous. Don’t take anything personal because almost always it never is and finally, never give up.

Contact Info: