Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Henderson.
Hi Melanie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story starts like most Hollywood movies. The small-town girl in the big city trying to make a name for herself. I didn’t make a name for myself but I sure had one heck of an adventure! I grew up in a very small farm town that took 30 minutes to get to a store, fast food, a restaurant, or anything! I found a passion for fashion at a young age. I always needed options and accessories, and just knew how to mix and match outfits. I started working in retail at 16 and it instantly clicked, that a career in fashion was what I wanted. After high school, I went to Kent State University where I received my bachelor’s in Fashion Merchandising. Following graduation, I decided that to get the career I dreamed of, I had to make a big move. New York or Los Angeles were my options due to the high fashion industry. After walking, living, and breathing cold weather for my entire life, I chose LA as my destination! I packed up my car with whatever I could fit and headed to the West Coast. Shortly after getting to LA, I landed my first job. I was a visual assistant for Neiman Marcus’s new concept store Cusp. I never imagined that I, a small-town girl, would be working for a high-end company in the city of dreams. Yes, I could barely afford to pay my rent but the latest Marc Jacob’s bag was screaming my name! Even with my generous discount my need for the latest and greatest needed to be funded by other means. I started looking for a part-time job as a wardrobe stylist to assist with my shopping addiction. I soon realized that everyone in LA is trying to make it and it’s all about who you know. After what seemed like months, I was on the brink of giving up. Until one fateful day, I booked a job as the wardrobe assistant on one of Jay Sean’s music videos! That is when I realized that styling was my true passion. After meeting the right people and putting myself out there, I was booking more jobs. I was: styling music videos, small-budget films and had a few personal clients. Then I decided to start an Instagram account. The purpose was to show different ways to style looks, take looks from day to night, and how to style on a budget. It soon became and still is my creative outlet. After having our first son, my husband and I decided to move to Texas to expand our family. It was a hard decision but it was time to say goodbye to LA and move onto the next chapter. I continue styling personal clients from afar via zoom and online shopping. However, my clients now are all from word of mouth. I know I am fortunate to be able to be a stay-at-home mom, but I still needed something was just for me. I continue to blog outfit inspirations for that mom on the go or anyone that just needs some inspiration. If you are looking for some good fashion finds or need a personal stylist with a little humor then give me a follow!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The challenge I am facing today is juggling time. Having to update my blog, working with personal clients while caring for my three boys has me spread thin sometimes. Maintaining my blog is something I don’t do often. I would like to dedicate more time to it. I definitely do not want to lose myself and who I am. Right now, it is really easy for me to fall into just being mama. Fashion and my blog help me to reconnect with myself. I try to make it an effort to put on a cute outfit and get dressed every day. Even if I’m just at home or doing grocery or school pickups; this allows me to feel somewhat independent from just being a mom.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I think what sets me apart from other wardrobe stylists is that I can help anyone on any budget find looks or add pieces to their closet that they may not have ever tried or even thought would look good together. I’m all about having options when buying pieces. How many different ways can I style this!?
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The qualities I believe that are most important as a stylist is: confidence, creativity, and passion. Confidence is being bold, taking risks, and owing your style choices. Being creative and thinking out of the box is what fashion is. To be a stylist there needs to be a love for fashion. When there is passion involved it no longer becomes work it becomes fun.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/fashionatemel
