Those should be straightforward answers. What do you think? None of my business. It is time for the fashion industry? Yes. Would you like a fashion stylist interview? Yes. Easy peasy, but there are so many questions left unanswered. Perhaps you would like to know what the meaning of life is, or will we still eat meat in the future? Significant questions, but you will have to look for another type of blog to get those answered. 😜
You won't get any answers for those from me. My lips are sealed. Although nowadays it takes a lot to get my lips sealed. I am not the type who sits quietly and says nothing. I used to be, but that's a very long time ago. 😁
No, no, wait, please don't go. I don't think there is a meaningful answer to those questions, so perhaps you had better stay here. My fashion stylist on the blog today will give you some answers. Besides, the meaning of life is way too profound. Some intel on the fashion industry is much more interesting and fun. 😄
So let me tell you somewhat more about Sam Russell. He's the head of The Wardrobe Department.
He is a Los Angeles-based fashion stylist. His clients range from Paramount Pictures, actor/activist Sophia Bush to Soap Opera legend Jacob W. Young and Hollywood’s newest ingenue, Eve Mauro.
In his spare time, he asks the designers that gift generously to his clients, to also consider gifting clothing to everyday women with unique stories. That’s his other heartbeat, The Giving Closet.
How old are you?
Gasp. That will cost you a drink and a lobster dinner. This is where I tell you to guess my age, then I laugh as you are ten years off.
What kind of work do you do?
I’ve worked on tv shows, editorials, fashion look books, advertising, runway shows, traveled with Stevie Wonder, and lots of personal shopping.
What made you decide to become a Fashion Stylist?
It found me.
A former modeling agent of mine in Texas liked my fashion sense and groomed me to become a fashion stylist. I advanced fast locally, but knew I needed to move to a bigger market to challenge myself professionally. Fast forward to Los Angeles, 18 years later.
Is fashion important to you? Why?
I’ve been on a personal journey to see if fashion can spark joy. I’ve seen the struggles of my mom growing up raising 3 boys after my dad died. How she used fashion and education to advance in her career and became the social envy of women that couldn’t pull themselves together like she did.
I never forgot the power of dressing up.
What are your successes and how did you achieve them?
My first glimmer of success in my eyes was leading Femme Fatales Magazine to win the Maggie Award for Most Improved Publication. The editor even gifted me the certificate.
To get there, I had to sit the team down and explain firmly why we needed to hire better photographers for the photoshoots. I was young with a lot of confidence.
Another win for me is the 19 lives I’ve met through Giving Closet.
In 2011, I started a passion project where I surprise women with unique stories of perseverance with personalized wardrobe upgrades valued at $10,000 per person.
Cancer survivors, abuse survivors, and single moms entering the workforce. I find their stories through third parties, they never see it coming!
It’s titled Giving Closet and soon will morph into Sammy’s Closet. It feels like a success to me. Watching these women move on to nail their next job interview and go through life feeling like their luck has changed is everything!
All of it feels like my calling in life.
Is the name of the Brand important to you when you buy clothing?
What’s important to me is to mix established brands with young, broke artisans just starting up. I make space for all of it in my universe.
Describe your personal style of clothing?
Eclectic clothing, bold jewelry, and whimsical patterns. I like color and the more my inner voice has awakened, the more expressive I want to dress.
I’m evolving like the women I meet.
How did you find your personal style? Do you have a signature look?
To be honest, A TV anchor in Atlanta named Robin Meade told me about The Real Real. I’m truly able to merge all my favorite designers in one place, on a budget.
My heart swoons for this website.
My signature look lately is quirky t-shirts from Dolce and Gabbana with jewelry from Adina Mills. I also collect jackets. Like, a lot. I plan on donating them to an LGBT youth center after my time's up on this planet.
In what way do you influence other people’s clothing style?
I’m more interested in touching what people love about themselves and fashion and staying in that arena.
If you can alter your inner voice, you can manifest your dreams. I prefer to make sure my clients are thinking positively before we can even start.
What are in your eyes the best trends at the moment?
Behind closed doors, and in private settings, Haute couture is making a major comeback.
Haute couture is truly unforgettable. It’s like, the more the general population suffers, the more expensive and artistic the clothing gets.
What are in your eyes the worst trends at the moment?
If it doesn’t bring you joy, destroy it. Remove it from your life. This applies to people, too.
The worst trend is people-pleasing. That translates to conservative clothing.
I also really think we all need a break from camouflage.
What kind of fashion advice would you give us?
Bring color into your life. Having a bad day? Client stressing you out? Is your ex sending mixed messages?
Put on a confident, colorful coat with jewelry that grounds you (crystals, something tied to a positive emotion), before making hard decisions.
Who is your style icon and why?
Costume designer Patricia Field from The Sex and The City series.
Why? I met her a couple of times in NYC—she left a magical, cool impression on me. Plus, her work is a landmine of inspiration.
Is there something else you would like to share with us?
Stroke someone’s ego too much, you strip them of their humanity. I was part of that problem for a long time in Hollywood.
Then, I changed that. Fashion doesn’t have to be all surface and shallow. It’s what you make of it.
Ooh, I love the idea behind The Giving Closet. Thanks for taking the time to fill in my interview questions. If you ever make it to Belgium, you can come and visit me to get that drink.
Check out my other fashion stylist interviews
Hope you like my blog.....Until next time.....Have a nice day
Renata (Seadbeady)
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It'a always interesting to hear the story behind the success of so many people. But I love the idea of the Giving Closet! So awesome to use their talents in such a meaningful way.
ReplyDeleteHe seems like an interesting person to have interview with, enjoyed reading it. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is very inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing these amazing stories, there is a lot to learn from them.
ReplyDeleteWow he sounds like a really cool person, thanks for this interview.
ReplyDeleteWhat a remarkable person. The whole Giving Closet is just amazing.
ReplyDeletestylist are all very fun people (at least people I met). Sam is just like them, a joy to read the interview, i am sure I would love working with him
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it's such a fun industry to work in. The Giving Closet sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this interview. So much talent!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing person! Love that he helps young broke artists looking for a break.
ReplyDelete