#MCCOTInterview {33}
Madeleine Kennedy, the Texan Celebrity Stylist, who is styling new talented Hollywood's generation
From Fashion blogger to talented and appreciated Celebrity Clothing stylist. From Houston to Los Angeles. Texan Madeleine Kennedy has definitively come a long way the past few years. After moving to California and graduating at UCLA in Santa Barbara, she has settled in Los Angeles to achieve her teenage dream of becoming a popular stylist. Thanks to her passion for her job, daily hard work and a great agency, which represents her, she did it. After styling herself for fun during several years for her former fashion blog Pink Cheeks, and assisting some top celebrity Stylists of the country then, she has now become a young successful celebrity stylist in this competitive industry. It was not easy: it took her dedication and hard work to train and get the required skills. Good connections and, of course, a great agent too. Today she is fully enjoying a promising career, which has given her the golden opportunity to work with the younger talents, recently born in Hollywood.
By Hélène Battaglia
Who are you?
I am a celebrity clothing stylist based in Los Angeles.
Why did you choose to leave your hometown Houston and move to Los Angeles at the age of 18?
I always felt drawn to fashion at a young age. I became interested in celebrity styling after receiving a book from my mom that was written by former celebrity stylist, Rachel Zoe. Although I loved my time in Houston, I knew that in order to really have a shot at becoming a stylist of my own, it would require me to move to a city like Los Angeles.
How did you manage this big life change alone away from home?
Moving out of Texas was definitely difficult. It was the first time I was away from home, without my close friends and family around. However, once I arrived in Santa Barbara, where I attended my college freshman year before transferring to UCLA, I realized a lot of the students were going through the exact same thing. I also had amazing roommates, who were very kind and supportive of me and my goals.
When did you discover your true path for Fashion?
I discovered my true path for fashion when I started a fashion blog of my own in Houston. It was called Pink Cheeks because of my rosy cheeks haha. I began following the big fashion events such as the Oscars, Golden Globes and MET Gala and would select my favorite looks from each event and discuss why so in detail. In addition to covering these fashion events, I would put together looks of my own and highlight the different ways one can style themselves for specific occasions.
When did you approach the job of celebrity stylist for the first time?
I first gained the opportunity to delve into the styling world, when a friend of mine working on the PR side of fashion connected me with celebrity stylist, Elizabeth Stewart. It was during my time with her that I truly learned the in’s and out’s of what goes into being a celebrity stylist.
How did you train to become a professional and full-time one?
Throughout my time working with celebrity stylist, Elizabeth Stewart, Erin Walsh and Samantha McMillen, I was able to gain the skill set and foundation one needs in order to become successful in this industry.
How difficult was it to manage making a name for yourself in this competitive field?
In order to get to the point where I am, it took dedication, hard work and years of assisting top stylists. It will always be a competitive industry but through networking, maintaining relationships within the industry, determination, a great attitude and faith in yourself, it is possible to rise to the top.
Which are, to you, the main reasons that allowed you to become the talented and requested the celebrity stylist you are today?
I do my best to dedicate 100% of myself to each client I work with. I want my clients to feel that I also express their own sense of style as best as I can all while having fun and keeping the process lighthearted.
Editorial Men/Women. Red Carpet. Personal styling. What do you love most?
That is a tough question and I am not sure I can pick just one at the moment. I am honestly having fun with every aspect of styling and still have a lot to learn about myself as well as which direction I would like to focus within styling.
How do you usually find the perfect outfit for each of your clients?
I like to look at past looks each client has worn both from their own personal wardrobe or with a previous stylist to gain a sense of their style. This helps to determine which brands or designers would be best to reach out to. Once I compile looks, an initial fitting is always key to then decipher what works and what does not. We then move onto a second fitting in order to select the final looks.
Before this promising career of yours, when you were younger, you had a fashion blog. How has the latter been useful for your current career?
I can at times be shy and introverted and within this industry you are constantly being put in situations, where you are meeting new clients, publicists, editors and having an outgoing and personable personality can definitely create a more seamless experience. Through creating my blog, I was able to step outside of my comfort zone and gain confidence in myself, which has been very beneficial throughout my career.
You are represented by The Only Agency. How important is it to have an agent to establish oneself on the market?
Working with The Only has been a great experience for me so far. Once you get to a certain point in your career, you begin to realize how time consuming it can be to reach out to publicists and magazines and that having an agent help assist with this process to widen your clientele is definitely resourceful and key.
Recently you had the opportunity to style American Actor Brandon Sklenar, new Hollywood’s beau, and protagonist of the Paramount series ‘1923’, for the prestigious magazine Esquire. How stimulating is it to work with this new talented generation, which is taking over?
Working with Brandon has been a great experience. He has a very unique sense of style and definitely has fun with the process. Incorporating vintage pieces is very important to me as it is not only sustainable but provides the opportunity for clients to wear pieces that are one of a kind. Brandon and many other clients are very supportive of vintage as well. Working with the younger talent has been great too. Taking risks, playing around with different colors, silhouettes and styles are a few things I have been enjoying myself.
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My best memories on set tend to be the sense of camaraderie and teamwork that is formed amongst everyone ,which plays a huge part in creating the final look. Although this industry can be very stressful and intense, having those moments of fun and lightheartedness is important.
As for my worst memories, it would definitely be the amount of time and energy that is spent schlepping garment bags, clothing racks, and shoes around in order to prepare for these shoots. Most people do not realize how much hard labor is a part of the styling process. It is definitely not all glamour.
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A precious tip to all the ones, who are dreaming of following in your footsteps.
The best piece of advice I would give to someone, who is wanting to pursue celebrity styling as a career is that you must put in the time and hard work. It will push you to be a better stylist in the long run. No task is too small or unimportant, especially when you are interning or assisting a stylist. Have patience and faith in the process too because it is not an easy road at times and you will feel beat down but the outcome can be very beautiful and fulfilling if you just hang in there and work work work.
All the pictures are Courtesy of Mrs Madeleine Kennedy
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