LA Guestlist

Sourcing Los Angeles Culture

Simply Stylist 2015 Took Over The Grove in Los Angeles for Some Valuable Career Lessons

Sarah Boyd is the founder and creative mind behind everything that goes on at Simply Stylist, a Fashion Blogger & Beauty Conference. She quit her job in public relations just three years ago because she felt unfulfilled and simply wanted to make a change. That is when she became her own girl boss, and created a place that provides tools and tips to those working or wanting to pursue a job in the fashion industry from a panel of industry experts, bloggers, stylists, and celebrities. The Grove held this Simply Stylist event for the city of Los Angeles on Saturday March 28th, 2015. This event provided invaluable bits of information, connections, advice, and opportunity for attendees. The conference provided not only inspiration and insight but also real tools, support and direction in navigating entrepreneurship in the fashion industry. Tokens of life experience were shared by the opening keynote speaker, Alessandra Ambrosio who is the founder and CEO of fashion brand Alé by Alessandra, in addition to her career as a globally recognized Brazillian supermodel and a mom of two. Candid, witty, and down-to-earth, this woman has amazing energy and a serious fashion sense. Admittedly, she claims that her love of fashion came way before her interest in modeling. She would spend her time in the south of Brazil learning from her godmother, who used to be a seamstress. At age five she began sewing outfits for her dolls. Alessandra has now been a model for nearly half of her life, so the experience she has had with top designers from fittings and castings, to feeling fabrics, inspired her to create her own line. She doesn’t hesitate to add that designers like Dolce and Gabbana and Versace are on a completely different level; she states, “Those guys are so talented. It is a great learning experience, which helps me with my brand.” She makes it perfectly clear that she would never sell something if she could not see herself wearing it, even if it is going to make more money. She clearly points out that if she is creating something it has to look good, feel good, and be affordable. Having the experience and connections is a good place to begin with your business, yet having the right people is even more important, ultimately contributing in a larger way to helping you reach your vision. For example, Alessandra Ambrosio only hires people who she knows she can trust. Her head stylist for her brand is a woman that she has known for fifteen years.

For many of these panelists it was not a quick road to fame. Research, commitment, dedication, strength, and hard work were at the core each of their battles to reach the top of their industry. Jen Chae, beauty blogger and vlogger, did not wear makeup until she was 21. Jen grew up in Kansas where she was one of very few minorities. She states, “When you have to fight for being different it forces you to create who you want to become.” She studied art in college and she admits that makeup was something that she feels was a hidden talent. Project Runway finalist Michael Costello opened up his first boutique at age 15. Growing up he was constantly bullied for his passion and people just assumed that he was gay, but his passion came before everything else. Before going on to Project Runway he worked in a family restaurant, CVS, and a golf course. Celebrity makeup and hair stylist, Joey Maalouf was only 15 years old when he first did someones makeup. He states, “Seeing the way that I made her feel was amazing.” He then started serving coffee at a salon and slowly worked his way up to receiving his own chair, but realized that the salon world was not for him. He moved to New York, where he met fashion celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe. He was hired to do only her makeup, but when her hairstylist could not make it, he tackled both her hair and makeup. He proudly states, “Always be yourself because that is when things happened for me.”

Simply Stylist concluded with the Brand Experience where attendees got pampered, sipped on a cocktail and engaged with new friends. This is an event that makes attendees realize that you can follow your dream by getting yourself out there, and at this day in age many things are possible simply by connecting through social media. Many are scared and intimated by the fashion industry, but celebrities went through the same thing we are all trying to do, and the Simply Stylist Conference is proof that we need to reach out to events like these and get help to make our dreams a reality.

Created By Fashion Stylist Gabriela Tena

0

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published.