Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian Murray.
Hi Jillian, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I didn’t always know that I wanted to be a Fashion Stylist. That happened slowly. I started sketching designs around the age of 9. My grandmother had bought me a design book from Hobby Lobby, and I filled the first one up so fast that she bought me another. As I got older, I always cared about what I wore but more out of a sense of comfort than style. It wasn’t until high school that I decided to explore connecting my style with who I was and wanted to be. I started to realize style was a way of expressing who I am to myself and others.
People quickly began to notice my change in style, and I soon became known as “the fashion girl.” A nickname I was, honestly, happy to take on. As I carried on to undergrad, Fashion quickly left my mind as an option for a major. In Oklahoma, Fashion was not exactly viewed as a promising or possible career path, so I went into Law; for the classic reason, that I was told I’m good at arguing, and I’m sure you can guess by who. Yep, my parents. With their support, it seemed like the right place for me to set out my life.
I made it through undergrad, working as a paralegal part time at a local firm, and then it was off to law school. I was about 2/3rds of the way through my 1L year when I realized that I didn’t like what I was doing or who I was becoming. It may sound trite, but law school really does break you down to then build you up into the person you need to be to be an attorney. At least, that’s true for my experience. I felt like I was losing myself and knew I wasn’t in the right place. Then I made one of the most difficult decisions I have made thus far in my life. I decided to take time off law school to pursue what I was actually passionate about: Fashion Styling. In reality, the decision itself was actually one of the easiest decision I’ve ever made, but the action behind that decision was pretty terrifying. I anticipated opposition and received it in many ways, but I wouldn’t change my decision for anything.
I had made up my mind and immediately started to put plans into motion. I planned and executed shoots for my portfolio and applied to every fashion job I came across. While I was studying abroad in the UK that summer, I was doing interviews through zoom, and two weeks after I got back I was moving down to Dallas to start my job as a wardrobe stylist. It was a whirlwind, and it’s been nothing short of that since.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been all smooth sailing, but I’ve also never felt completely lost at sea. While I came down to Dallas knowing no one and having very little experience in the fashion industry, slowly, things just worked out. I met and connected with great people inside the industry whom I have gotten to work with on some amazing projects. It was a new experience putting myself out there, but I made a decision when I decided to move that I would give it everything.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Fashion stylist. I mainly specialize in wardrobe and editorial styling; however, I also have experience in runway, film (wardrobe/costume design), branding, and creative direction.
I would say the project that I am the most proud of is a short film I styled. The film was a personal project of a producer friend I made my first week in Dallas. It was her first time producing, directing, and writing something of her own, and my first time styling a film. It was an opportunity I never thought I would get, and it was one of the most rewarding things I’ve done. I have always loved telling stories. Sometimes I would write them or communicate them through movement when I danced, but I loved getting to interpret and bring to life this story through clothing.
I would say what sets me apart is that I look at my work from a holistic perspective. I want to do my best work on every project I step into, and I also want to create a space for connection, collaboration, and authenticity. I think humility is one of the most important qualities a creative can have. Humility creates space for others instead of tight fisting the exact thing you have in mind. A project often gets better when you invite others into it, and while every idea might now be the right one, I think it’s important to be open to it.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
You’re never going to get anywhere if you don’t put yourself out there. Sometimes you just need to get out of your comfort zone and reach out to someone you would love to work with. Most don’t have the courage to do so.
I am still currently working on finding a mentor, but I trust the more I do the more of a chance I will have in finding one.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://styledbyjmcollective.my.canva.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/styledbyjmcollective/
