Meet Emily Smith of Key of Style in DeSoto

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Smith.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Emily. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My sister told me so many times that I had what it took to become a wardrobe stylist that I actually started to believe her. I had no idea where to even start so I started styling myself and posting the pictures on Instagram and Facebook. Soon after, friends began to ask me to style them for birthday parties, which I felt gave me the opportunity to really put it out there that I am now a wardrobe stylist. One day back in 2014, I went to a woman empowerment event and met the editor of Sister2Sister magazine. She agreed to help me launch my styling career. She helped me put together my first photoshoot, introduced me to other wardrobe stylists, allowed me to contribute fashion content to the magazine, and encouraged me to attend my first New York Fashion Week! During NYFW, I met a stylist that did fashion segments on the local news; I became very interested. I searched online for the contact information of the show’s producers and began to reach out. I started doing fashion segments on the show Let’s Talk Live which opened up the doors for future segments on Good Morning Texas and New York Live. I also continued styling a lot of photoshoots and networking at New York Fashion Week.

As I look back, I realize that networking has been a huge part of my career. In this industry there generally is no job posting open to the public that you can just apply to. Relationships are extremely important. I also love what I do so much that I’ve always gone the extra mile, or two, and given each job (paid or unpaid) my absolute all. It all has made way for the opportunities to style magazine covers, clients attending award shows, red carpets, live tv shows, the Met Gala (fashion’s biggest night), and attend Paris Fashion Week. I am so grateful and could not see myself doing anything else.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have learned and am continuing to learn that life is all about ups and downs. It is inevitable and there is no way to get around it if you want to grow and aspire to reach your highest potential. Knowing this helps to ease the disappointment when setbacks arise and things do not go as planned. I’m also really starting to grasp that there is not one single path on this journey. If it does not work out one way, it is not over, I probably just need to work a little bit harder to find an alternative solution to get things done. And to be quite honest, sometimes your new solution is an even better solution. I feel it is also important to look for any lessons that can possibly be learned from the struggle or setback. The lessons have made me stronger and tougher when it comes to the emotional aspect of dealing with a setback. I can truly say that after every “down” my up has taken me higher than I was before. I am very excited for my future!

Key of Style – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Overall I am a wardrobe/fashion stylist. Simply said, I dress clients that may not have the time to shop or clients that need help putting that special look together that is going to help them stand out. I style men, women, and various body types. For me, it’s all about finding their best feature to accentuate or the perfect color that goes best with their skin tone. I am also working to continue developing/expanding my brand as an on-air style expert.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I really cannot say there has been one single proudest moment. I am so proud that I am just still here and opportunities are still coming my way. I studied chemistry in college so fashion was not on my radar. I really had no idea where to even start. But look at me now, styling red carpets and for television appearances. It just shows that what is for you is for you, with hard work and persistence. I am also a Christian and I believe God has given me strength over these last 5-6 years to keep going.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.keyofstyle.com
• Email: info@keyofstyle.com
• Instagram: @keyofstyle

Image Credit:
Header photo taken by Colville Heskey; Picture of guys coming out of car shot by JThorpePhoto; Model Pic shot by Gabrielle Ruddick

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