Fashion Celebrity Stylist, Lisa Cameron On Embracing Identity Through Personal Style
Lisa Cameron is a Fashion Celebrity Stylist and Wardrobe Consultant. She's the top stylist for Bachelor Nation, styling celebs including Becca Kufrin, Hannah Godwin, and Joelle Fletcher among many others! Born in Canada, Lisa attended Hawaii Pacific University and came to Los Angeles in 2014 to pursue her dream of being a Fashion Stylist. We spoke with Lisa about her journey, check out her profile feature below!
Q: Why did you decide to pursue a career as a fashion celebrity stylist? Can you describe what a typical workday is like for you?
Lisa: “I’ve always loved fashion since I was a little girl. Growing up around dance and the theater made me fall in love with the whole creating process of an outfit or costume. It wasn’t until I was in college where the styling became more prominent. I began helping friends put looks together, worked with my dance team in Hawaii to brand and design team wear and it really just grew from there. After college I did a ton of research on how I could make this hobby that I loved so much into a career.
A typical day for me usually starts off by answering and sending a ton of emails. Do a lot of research looking for the perfect look or inspiration for a look. Working closely with Public Relation firms that house a variety of fashion brands so that I can find those outfits for my clients. Then I may be out driving through Los Angeles pulling and picking items for whatever project I’m working on at the time. I also may be on set for a photo shoot or have a fitting with a client where the items I’ve pulled and picked out I try on the client to get the look just right for the specific event they are attending.”
Q: Do you have any favorite memories from your college days at Hawaii Pacific University? Any advice for recent college graduates who are aspiring to become fashion stylists?
Lisa: “Hawaii Pacific University was an experience of a lifetime. For a young 17-year-old girl from Canada to be chosen to go across the country to paradise was unforgettable. I made friends to last a lifetime and got to meet people from around the world. Learned to be independent and best of all get a good education and live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. It was also here that my design and styling for the dance team began my journey into fashion and design. Having the opportunity to create and the design team wear and performance costumes really gave me the push I needed to see how being creative in fashion was a part of me.
My advice to recent college graduates who are aspiring to become fashion stylists is get as much hands-on experience as you can before venturing out on your own. This was huge for me starting out because it was able to teach me things I couldn’t learn in school like how to be on set, where to get clothes from, how to be organized and coordinate with multiple people and clients. Be prepared to work long days and not sleep much. Realize that research is a major component of your job, learn to think “outside “ the norm - don’t be afraid of making a mistake and trust your instincts. Also, it’s very important to remember it takes time, dedication and hard work. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t take off right away, getting your feel for the industry and taking on as many projects as you can to gain as much experience and knowledge.”
Q: You have a background in performance and art, with involvement in theatre, dancing, singing, and acting!! How have your creative experiences impacted/influenced the work you do now?
Lisa: “You would think with all of that I would gravitate to be in the spotlight. However, I realize it’s just as important to be behind the scenes and feel tremendous pride when a client steps out at an event knowing they look and feel fabulous. Their appreciation and thanks and the look on their faces make me feel amazing. I think that all of my performance background allowed me to realize that so many things go into making up an individual and the confidence I gained from being on stage helped me feel more secure on the choices I make for my clients. Having a love for the performing arts in my blood growing up around it established this inner creative soul that enables me to push myself more and more each time I get to create. Amazingly I get to do this on a daily basis.”
Q: When working with a client, what do you look for to showcase their own unique story? How do you integrate their identity into the images you style for them?
Lisa: “Each client is truly unique, and you focus on them individually! Many are now friends and they have history and personality that I truly try to incorporate into what they are wearing each and every time. An outfit can set the mood for a client whether flirty, elegant or fun loving. We can elaborate on their moods, and real personalities by the colors draping and styles I choose even sometimes going over the top to capture a unique point in time with that person. Clothes really do make the person! When the look comes out just right you can see it all over their face, attitude and body language. It’s truly remarkable how the perfect outfit can really transform a person and bring out their personality.”
Q: Do you have a favorite outfit you have ever styled?
Lisa: “This is a really tough question for me because I really feel there are too many to choose just one. However, I will say that when I get to create something unique and from scratch alongside a designer and be a part of the whole process, it’s really rewarding. Seeing an outfit on a client that I created, and we know is the one, that feeling is truly priceless.
For example, my client Karamo Brown’s all white outfit at the 2020 Vanity Fair party or his 2018 Prime Time Emmys red carpet outfit. These were sketched, designed and became a reality and I’ll never forget those looks. I also feel that there may always be a favorite look for a client that sticks out to them. However, to me I always think of the first outfit I worked on together with a client, the one that started the amazing relationship. Those are the ones that stick in my mind and I love. Those created that trust and that bond between me and my clients, that aren’t replaceable.”
Q: What do you believe are the most important skills/qualities to possess as a fashion stylist?
Lisa: “There are several skills that are important when being a fashion stylist. You don’t need to have them all but it’s always easier when you do. These skills can be worked on and executed so if you don’t have some of them it's ok, you can get there. I feel that passion, dedication, organization, creativity, communication and confidence.
Passion for the love of the job and fashion. Being dedicated to the job and keeping going when those long hours hit. Having that motivation to keep pushing when you can find the right pair of boots for a client. Extreme organization is key because you’ll be handling endless items of clothing and accessories, that are expensive and on loan a lot of the time and you’ll need to keep track of them. Creativity enables you to think outside of the box and push yourself to create things other people haven’t. You give your clients something unique. And lastly a huge skill is communication, to really get to know your client. Their passions, their personalities, their lifestyles and then find the direction they are requesting and ensure their entire team is on the same page. Never stop asking questions. It will always help you out in the end.
From here research to make these outfits come to life, this is where confidence comes in. Be confident in your choices, your gut generally won’t let you down, so just go for it!!”
Q: How would you define the word, style? And how would you describe your own personal style?
Lisa: “The word style is defined in so many different ways but always an individual manner of expression. Style is doing or saying something with the choices you personally make for your wardrobe or personal appearance. My own personal style is a mix between versatile, edgy, trendy, confident, comfortable. I’m always doing so many things in a day that my wardrobe needs to fit in multiple atmospheres. Looks presentable, stylish for my business but comfortable and edgy for me.”
Q: Where would you like to see yourself in 10 years?
Lisa: “I would love to be a stylist who is known but truly respected. Continue to have clients that trust my judgement, who are friends and who I can pursue moving forward with creatively with trends and styles. Married with a family and possibly be a style correspondent on a TV show on the red carpet. Lastly being awarded or recognized for my work.... dreams can come true.”
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Lisa: “Taking a risk. Before I moved to Los Angeles I was in a rut. Done college, living back in Canada, cold lol but mainly working jobs I didn’t love or was happy doing. My sister really helped me discover that I could make a life change no matter my age. I took a risk going back to school at FIDM and moving to Los Angeles to pursue a dream of being a stylist, but that risk paid off. If I hadn’t done that I wouldn’t be as happy as I am, in a career that I love, doing something I’m really meant to do. Taking that risk allowed my confidence to increase and to start trusting my gut more which has been a huge part of my success. I’m also extremely proud of how far my career has come since I’ve moved to LA and finished school at FIDM. The long hours, the endless sleepless nights, all my hard work and dedication has really paid off and my career is just continuing on the up because I know I put my everything into it. Because I truly love what I do.”
Q: What do you root your identity in?
Lisa: “I believe I truly was born to do this. Especially when it comes to my family and how I grew up it all came so naturally to me whether it was dance, singing, being on stage and performing. My mom always dressed me in matching outfits from birth with just the right amount of accessories whether a hat or a bow. I was raised in a very small Canadian town church on Sundays, regular school, a sister and brother, family dinners, grandparents and close extended family. My parents who taught me hard work is so important and that anything is possible when you put your mind to it, you are passionate, kind and aim for the stars. Being around such a humble, grounded, supportive and patient family allowed me to try different avenues to really figure out what I could do. My mom said spread your wings and fly. Well not only did I fly I soared!!”
Thanks so much for speaking with us Lisa! Lisa is wearing our Olive Leatherlike Jogger from our Fall 2020 collection.
Check out Lisa's website to see her stunning work and connect with her on Instagram @styledbylmc.
Photography by Lisa Cameron
