We recently had the chance to connect with Chelsea Davis and have shared our conversation below.
Chelsea, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Without a doubt, it’s getting dressed up for a theme, whether it’s for a photoshoot, an event, or even just for fun. I fall into this beautiful rabbit hole of building an outfit, paying attention to every little detail, sometimes down to elements only I would even notice. It’s like creating my own personal editorial spread, where each accessory and styling choice tells a piece of the story. I can spend hours in my mind, taking pieces from my own wardrobe and reinventing a new look, or shopping second-hand, or building a look around that thrifted item. It’s in those moments that I feel most connected to my creativity, as if the rest of the world melts away and it’s just me and the art of dressing.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a seasoned fashion stylist and creative director with over a decade of experience shaping looks that are both personal and aspirational. From producing backstages for local fashion shows to leading a variety of styling projects, I’ve honed a keen eye for detail, storytelling, and editorial-worthy aesthetics. Beyond my hands-on styling work, I focus on cultivating meaningful connections in the fashion industry, creating communities and opportunities for creatives to collaborate. I’m passionate about transforming everyday wardrobes into empowering expressions of identity, approaching every project with strategy, artistry, and a focus on confidence.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I think it has to be the people around me, friends, volunteers, assistants, and attendees at my events. They’ve spoken about looking up to my work ethic and drive, even when I saw it as just part of my normal routine. Hearing that from others makes you step outside yourself and recognize the confidence you’ve built, whether it started as a mask or not. It makes me proud to see that I’ve cultivated real confidence from the ground up, and it shows the world that I’m strong and capable of taking on any fashion initiative or project I set my mind to.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Looking back, I realized it started in middle school. I was heavily bullied for being overweight and for wearing outfits that some might have called “outrageous.” It could have been a time to hide, but I never wanted to—no matter my size, I’ve always worn what felt right for me and matched my personality. I learned early on that there’s a way to wear anything at any body shape, and that bodies change over time. The moment I truly stepped into that power was during my freshman year of college. My body was still fuller, but that didn’t stop me from using my wardrobe creatively and inspiring others. Around that time, I began styling my sorority sisters, they could see my eye for detail, and it didn’t matter that we weren’t the same size. That was when I realized my style, confidence, and vision could empower not just myself, but the people around me.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
To me, a fad is something that gains rapid popularity and then disappears just as quickly. Take the Labubu trend, for example, it’s rooted in nostalgia, personalization, and small-scale customization, like decorating a purse with charms. It’s accessible, fun, and fleeting. A real foundational shift, on the other hand, reflects deeper changes in behavior or values that endure beyond the moment. Right now, we’re seeing this in how consumers navigate economic uncertainty: people are choosing a $50 luxury lip gloss over a $1,500 handbag, prioritizing attainable indulgence and practical luxury. The smaller fads may emerge alongside these shifts, but the difference is whether a trend has longevity. Does it evolve with the seasons, or even with life stages. Or is it just a passing moment? That’s how I separate what’s truly foundational from what’s temporary.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think people who don’t truly know me, or haven’t had the chance to work with me, might only see the surface level, like my social media posts, and misunderstand what drives me. I’m not the typical influencer. While I do occasional collaborations or promote things I believe in, my content isn’t created for likes, it’s a passion project, almost like an inspirational diary for myself. Most of what I do is for me, not the public. I wear what I want because it feels right for me, even if others wouldn’t dare to, and I rarely do things just for show. That said, my social media alone helps inspire others who don’t dare to create, switch things up, or can’t imagine wearing patterns together. I wear bold things so maybe it’ll inspire someone to get out there and do their own. What people see online is just a small glimpse of my work and creativity, it’s authentic, unphotoshopped, and only a fraction of what I’ve built and done.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Chelseastyle29
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseastyle29?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
