Today we’d like to introduce you to Nandi George.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
So I started styling kind of as an experiment, I had to be the model, at first styling my own shoots because I really didn’t know what I was doing, but I knew I’ve always been obsessed with fashion, it just never crossed my mind to be a stylist, I always thought I was going to be a designer or something where I was able to be hands-on with whatever I was creating! I had some extra money in the bank, so I bought a lot of clothes, booked a photographer, and some studio time, just as a birthday gift to myself. Since that actual shoot I ended up getting hired at VidaKush and assisting with some of the creative content and styling, so that motivated me to keep learning and growing with it, people started to reach out to work and collaborate with me! Now a little over year later, I’ve worked assistant background styling for music and tv, styled fashion show looks, collaborated with brands and designers, as well as many of the photoshoots I’ve creative directed!
Has it been a smooth road?
Its been a smooth road sometimes and other times it’s definitely not. I have been fortunate enough to work right beside my mentor Rhianna Cooper at VidaKush which has made learning and growing with my craft easier! I’ve always been grateful to be able to creatively work freely on my projects. Being a one-woman show working from the ground up is a whole challenge on its own. I’m always in this constant battle with myself, how to be a better stylist than I am now, but thats only a small part of it. A lot of people don’t know that being an independent stylist is really a financial investment just like any other career, a good amount of my shoots I’ve come out of pocket for, studio time, photographers, makeup artists, new clothes for shoots, I pay for.
I’m not supported by an artist or company most the shoots that happen outside of VidaKush I’ve set up, so reaching out to many photographers and models who give you the run around has also been quite the challenge. I want people to look at the quality of my work and what I bring to the table, and not the amount of followers that I have. I take so much pride in my passion for my craft, so to be overlooked based on followers rather than the talent, ideas or even my work ethic. It really becomes a struggle when you have to sacrifice things for your craft as well because it makes you question even if this is your path, but it is my path, I’m just trying to master it. I’ve sacrificed a lot, but I really take nothing back. All of those sacrifices put me two steps ahead and I’m never mad about progression! This is always going to be somewhat of a challenge I’m always up for, as long as the outcome is income.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
So I wear many hats, but my main thing is am a freelance wardrobe stylist and content creator. Right now, I actually work as a main & assistant. As an assistant, I just help out on set but as the main stylist I’m known for many services! Photoshoots, video shoots, events/appearances, and look book shoots for emerging brands. I eventually want to make it where I get to keep styling look books for major brands like Off-White, Palace, Stussy, and more, Editorials, Runway looks, I just want to be a very well rounded stylist with a HUGE clientele list.
I am really most proud of my growth, the growth in my work, and growth of my clientele, my collaborations as well as the audience who look at my work! To watch how much work I put into this last year really makes me happy because I really just did everything on my own, not knowing anything, just kind of jumping right into it. Its really nice to have a group of people really love and support what you do, and to still be somewhat of a rookie to this field of work, it’s real humbling. Like people I’m a fan of, are fans of mine. People that I see winning, want to see me win. Really blessed!
I think what sets me apart from other stylists alike is my hustle and work ethic. Like I’ve said before, I’m literally only 14 months into this, my career is very much in its newborn stages, a few people I’ve worked alongside, some of the people that commend me for my work, I’ve learned so much from them, just by being a fan or supporter, now these are my colleagues, and mentors, that really makes me feel like I’ve worked hard, my work has not reached its full potential, but these ideas I work hard to bring into fruition no matter what! LA is full of so many creators, and I love collaborating with them! I feel like my collaborations is another thing that sets me apart, I like working with up & coming brands, it gives my audience something fresh to see, and it also feels good working with people on the same path as you, helping them progress in the process of your progression. I really do believe teamwork makes the dream work, I am nothing without each model, photographer, clothing line, makeup artist, there’s a team that I need to work with and if I can hand pick them to create a fierce vision, I’m going to do it!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel like my city is a good place for freelancers like myself to start. The Valley is itself a passing through of many surrounding areas, I do think that branching out all over is definitely necessary to make and build more.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: hoodbeyonce / helloonandi
Image Credit:
Photographers: Tyler Thomas, Rachel Lajato, Johnny Pulls, Zay Monae, Dre Images; Models: Niaz Marie, Deandre Nathaniel, Bozy Christian, Audrey Angstrom, Myself, Trina Jade, Nataysia, Will Hill
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