Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolyn Kramer-Fountain.
Carolyn, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started working as a fashion stylist assistant shortly after graduating from UNT’s Fashion Design program. I have always been obsessed with clothing, art and all things visual! So after college, I began interning, then assisting Jan Strimple Productions in the mid-2000s for runway shows. I was hooked! A few stylists that I worked with in runway introduced me to my agent Tracey Keimer with On Set Management. On Set is a talent representative/booking agent/all-around family for Stylists, Photographers, Hair & Makeup artists, etc. My agent Tracey is one of a kind and an amazing person to have in my corner. She has always guided me through the unsure but super fun waters of freelance work as an artist. Dallas has several reputable agencies that represent artists.
My job is in a nutshell making people (and sometimes sets or things) look good! I focus mainly on the wardrobe or fashion side of styling. Every job I do is different, and even the difference between a day of styling runway shows vs. styling a model on set for an advertising client is vastly different. There is also a good deal of work (especially right now) in E-commerce styling; creating, pinning/tailoring, and helping looks come alive for a client’s website. And ideally, helping the client sell a ton of the merchandise. Sometimes my job even leans more towards costume design when I am really helping the client to create and visualize a character. I work on set in studios, on location outside or even at a live event. It is ever-changing and always keeps me on my toes.
Has it been a smooth road?
Freelance work is never smooth! It is often “feast or famine”, and you really have to learn to ride the waves of the ups and the downs. Sometimes I will work 20 days in a row, including weekends, and then have a full week or two off. It is pretty unpredictable too. So you really have to learn to roll with the punches and be flexible. The flexibility part is a little trickier since I started a family, but we have learned to make it work for us. My husband Brett (of 11 years) and my eight years old son Luke are really my cheerleaders who help me to make this crazy work/life balance thing work out!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of. What sets you apart from others?
I am a freelancer, so I technically work for myself. But my agent On Set represents me and is in charge of keeping me busy and doing all of my billing, among other things. The thing I am most proud of in my career is making a good name for myself. Dallas, although a big city, is a fairly small market for commercial photography and fashion runway, etc. So a lot of peeps know each other! It doesn’t take much for a freelancer to have a few bad jobs and get an unsavory reputation. At the same time, if you make a good impression, and always show up on set with your game face on, people take notice. There is a ton of networking and word of mouth involved with how I get jobs in this business. I think what sets me apart from other stylists is my ability to get the job done with energy and enthusiasm, but also to stay calm when things get dicey. I have also moonlighted as a Yoga teacher, and I think the yoga breathing and mindset really helps me to handle stressful situations well.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see my industry leaning even heavier into E-commerce and less true “print” jobs. The world is so used to trends that start and change super fast, and I think consumers want to shop on websites that reflect the current trends. I am hoping the DFW market gets even bigger and there is more room for more fish in our pond! There are so many talented people here and I hope that continues to be the case.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://onsetmanagement.com
- Phone: 214.826.9557
- Email: tracey@onsetmanagement.com
- Instagram: @ckramerstyling
Image Credit:
Emily Stoker, Clay Hayner, Jack Lux, Alicia Stepp, Beth Studenberg
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