Today we’d like to introduce you to Katelynn Tilley.
Katelynn, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Looking back now I see I was destined to work in entertainment. One of my favorite things to do as a child was to sneak into my grandmother and mother’s closets and try on all their fabulous bedazzled nighties, pair them with heels and vintage jewelry, then make my poor sister and her friends walk in my imaginary runway shows.
Knowing I loved entertaining I enrolled in acting courses all over the east coast. During my last competition in NY, before going to college, I met a manager who asked me to move to LA. So, at 17, I left VA and moved out here. Working on set I realized I loved the excitement of the wardrobe department more than being in front of the camera. Not knowing exactly what I wanted to do I enrolled at FIDM for Merchandise Marketing. I met a lot of people in the industry and started assisting under a company that did styling for everything from fashion shows, editorials, commercials and the red carpet. Since the company was so small, I was given a lot of responsibility; I had to learn quickly and started taking on clients myself as the lead stylist. I soon realized styling was what I was passionate about.
Has it been a smooth road?
I chose a dreamers career, so it hasn’t been a smooth road. As a Stylist there is no set path; no, if you do this, you will be rewarded. No one specific obstacle; but there have been many little ones. Every job presents unique challenges that necessitate constant adaptation; I may be booked the day before and hunting down wardrobe overnight, lots of last minute team changes, or working 18 hours on set and straight into the next job. What keeps me going on days when I’m running on 1 hour of sleep is the knowledge that I’m living the life I’ve always dreamed.
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
One of my proudest moments was the first time I took a company and rebranded it. I had full control over the entire creative process and brought a large team of artist and models together to shoot the campaign and commercial. It was rewarding to see everything come together and the positive business it brought to my client.
Every story has ups and downs. What were some of the downs others might not be aware of?
There’s no safety net when you work for yourself. It requires a lot of research, hard work and accountability. The work isn’t guaranteed unless you get out there and hustle. There’s always going to be a struggle at times to stay focused and keep the momentum going.
Is LA a good place to do what you do?
The first thing you think about when you think of Los Angeles is celebrity, glamor, red carpet etc. It’s the mecca in that regard and it’s incomparable to the rest of the world. Needless to say, it’s a great place to get a start and get ahead if you’re not afraid of hustling. When I first moved here, I had a completely different vision of what LA would be like. Luckily, my parents taught me the value of hard work and that it’s important to treat others the way you’d want to be treated. If there’s someone out there looking to get their start here, remember to be kind, work your ass off and say yes much, much more than you say no.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.katelynntilleystyling.com/
- Instagram: katelynn_tilley
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katelynntilleystyling
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