Today we’d like to introduce you to Mackenzie Boner
Hi MacKenzie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I knew from 6th grade that I wanted to be part of the fashion industry, though I wasn’t sure exactly where my path would lead. Watching The Devil Wears Prada as a young girl definitely played a part in sparking that dream, along with my love for creating anything I could with whatever supplies I had on hand. I pursued fashion in college, but after graduating, I found myself feeling a bit aimless. I was working in retail and running a fashion blog for fun, but I knew I wanted more.
After some moving around, I ended up back in the Midwest, and on a whim, I decided to quit my retail job without a backup plan. That’s when I discovered an opportunity I hadn’t even known existed, Photo Styling. I was shooting for the stars without a portfolio and ended up getting my foot in the door as a Merchandise Coordinator. From there, I actively sought out opportunities to shadow stylists and eventually prove myself as one. It just took someone recognizing my potential to get my career off the ground and networking like crazy.
After the studio I was working at closed and COVID hit, I found myself craving new challenges. That led me to Dallas, where I transitioned to styling full-time. Becoming a stylist has been a perfect fit because it lets me explore a wide range of mediums—food, wardrobe, props, and set design. I like to call myself a “MacK of all Trades” jokingly because I never want to limit myself to just one thing. I’m constantly expanding my skills and exploring new hobbies, and I don’t see that stopping anytime soon.
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?
Every journey I’ve been on has had its challenges, but I’ve come to see those bumps in the road as valuable learning experiences. They’ve taught me resilience and how to rise above setbacks. I’ve faced my share of “no’s,” had to go back to the drawing board more times than I can count, and dealt with getting laid off after a merger. But those experiences forced me to adapt and figure things out along the way. Being scrappy has definitely shaped me—it’s made me resourceful, persistent, and able to navigate uncertainty with confidence.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I infuse a lot of creativity in both my career and personal life. In my full-time role as a wardrobe and prop stylist for Fossil Group, I style for nine different brands, each with its own distinct creative direction. This variety keeps things fresh and exciting, constantly challenging me to adapt with each shoot.
Outside of work, I love diving into new hobbies, depending on what’s intriguing me the most. Whether it’s making clothes, painting, tattooing, shooting film, creating jewelry, or coming up with test shoot concepts, I’m always exploring new ways to express myself. One of my proudest creative projects has to be the Mars Attacks costume I made for Halloween in 2023. I spent the weekend before Halloween pulling it together, and the custom mask I made is sitting proudly at my house. I’ve even debated doing costume design because of it.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Don’t hesitate to start a conversation with someone. Be genuine and consistent, because at the end of the day, we’re all just people who enjoy being creative. Attending local events or pop-ups is a great way to meet others and grow your circle.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mackenzieboner.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/encouragefashion
