We were lucky to catch up with LISA SMEDLEY-CALDERON recently and have shared our conversation below.
LISA , appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
The first time I knew I wanted to work in the fashion industry is when my mom who was a top professional print and runway model, took me to her first runway modeling show. I was 10 yrs old. I had already been mesmerized with watching my mom pick out beautiful outfits when she went out, and seeing her in commercials on TV. and print ads. It was when I went to her runway show for the first time and was backstage. I saw the behind the scenes, and the energy of the models who were rushing to get in and out of the clothes quickly. It was a rush, it a bit chaotic but beautiful when everything came together. I could not as a young child and well into my teens , stop thinking about fashion, imagined myself styling looks for others, buying beautiful clothes for others and being a part of the world in fashion. I would always want the latest looks and try looks that no one would be wearing. I was a risk taker and never wanted to wear what everyone else wore. When I wore my catholic uniform to school, I would add cool printed tights under the skirt, and sweaters over my shirt that many times were not the correct dress code but I took the risk.
Seeing first hand , my mom working on so many fashion projects solidified that it was seeds being planted to prepare me for my career path in fashion. Being around my mom with all her fashion projects and seeing the behind the scenes, gave me confidence and the courage to pursue a career in fashion. I knew when I graduated from HS I wanted to move to Los Angeles for college and pursue a career in fashion.
LISA , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
After I graduated form college I got a job at the prestigious Saks 5th Ave in Beverly Hills , CA. My plan at the time was to become a fashion consultant in their 5th Ave Club . That however changed when after a co-worker saw how I worked with my celebrity clients in pulling together looks for them. She asked if I ever thought of pursuing a career where I worked with record labels, as her boyfriend at the time had a cousin who had just started a agency where she was looking for new people to represent. I actually didn’t know such a job existed. It sounded fun and different so I called the agent at the time , Crystal Wright , who started the Crystal Hair, Makeup & Wardrobe Agency. Crystal Wright spoke to me and asked detailed questions .After meeting with her she saw great potential in me and decided to start training me to become a Fashion Stylist for celebrities. It was not easy! Crystal was tough and did not hold her tongue in letting me know what I needed to do to get ahead. I assisted the top costume designer Michelle Cole known for In Living Color at the time as well as commercials. I watched ,learned and paid my dues with hard work. Crystal’s toughness help give me thick skin and the confidence I needed when it was time for me to work on my first album cover and music video. My first artist was Chuck Booker. It was Crystal’s belief in me and my confidence that got me started on a path that would change my life.
I soon started styling many other celebrities as Chuckii Booker would refer me, word of mouth of my work and my constant networking myself . Soon I was styling everyone from Boyz to Men, Nia Long, Ralph Tresvant, Carmen Electra, Celine Dion, Bobby Brown, Teddy Riley and Guy, DAngelo, Whitney Houston , Color Me Badd and many other artist as well as commercials for top brands. I was styling artist for all the award shows; Grammys, American Music Awards, Billboard Awards and MTV Awards.
I elevated my career by moving towards working on movies and tv series in 2014 after taking a break from the industry to raise my kids and take care of my terminally ill parents. I started as a shopper for movies and worked my way up to a ACD and now a Costume Designer. I have worked on movies such as “Black Adam”, “Judas and The Black Messiah”, “Uncle Drew”, “Gotti,” “Shaft 2”, “Poms as well as many more,”and tv series, such as “Greenleaf”, Black Mafia Family” “American Soul”, and my current costume designing movies, “Karen”, “Run”, “The First Noelle”,out now and release in 2023 “Water Boyz”, “Cinnamon” and current ‘Kent State” from my favorite era the 70s.
What I have been most proud of is the fact I had to reinvent myself after taking a 8 yr plus break from the industry. When I decided to come back after my parents died , I was told by someone close I was to old and it was to late to start again. I did not let that stop me. With very hard work, and doing work for others who may have had less experience then me , I put my pride aside to get my foot back in the door. I left the industry with great relationships with producers and directors so I was able to reach out to them for help. This is also a key reason to having good relationships as you never know when you will need help from them. Another important factor is to not ever let someone tell you its to late or you are to old! I am so glad I did not let that persons opinion stop me from reinventing myself after my break. I had to learn the whole social media world! I soon was able to sign with my current agent Eastern Talent Agency and am now more busier then ever.
I am known for my attention to detail, my dedication to each project , no matter what the budget is, and my passion for each project . I look at challenges as a way for me to be more creative and use my quick thinking skills to overcome “hiccups” that often come with being a costume designer and celebrity fashion stylist. My biggest compliment is when the clients call me back the 2nd , 3rd, 4th time and so on! I have learned from the best costume designers , Michelle Cole who taught me when I started out as Fashion Stylist and Johnetta Boone who trained me for costume designing. I never feel I can ever stop learning. I stay humble and grateful.
I love being a Celebrity Fashion Stylist and being a Costume Designer. They are different genres and the work for each is approached differently. I have and continue to work with iconic artist and actors. I have over 300 music videos I have styled since I started the industry in 1989 and I feel very blessed to still do what I love after 30yrs .
I have recently focused on more styling working with sustainable fashion and offering one on one classes and group classes where I can share advice on starting , reinventing and having longevity in the fashion industry.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I have learned that I have a great story to share as well as helping others by teaching courses, and speaking on panels to inspire give valuable lessons on starting in fashion industry and working in the entertainment industry. I believe that many factors in my journey from the time I started my first job at Saks 5th Ave , living the “Hollywood” life , the challenges and lessons has given me experiences that I will not only help others but inspire them to keep going no matter what age. My goal is to keep inspiring others , especially black women who face the biggest challenges in a industry where we do not see ourselves as much in leadership roles. I for the first time in my career just worked with a female black director for the first time this year. That should not be the norm. My goal is to create more opportunities for others to hear me speak and get valuable advice. I also want to use my 30 yr experience to teach others who want to costume design and/or become a fashion stylist the truth about the industry. Its not one for the person who gets their feelings hurt easily . You must be able to have thick skin as you are dealing with many who have strong opinions .
I am very passionate about eating healthy and living a healthy life through eating organic and saving the earth from the large consumption of waste. I have gotten more involved in my passion as a advocate for sustainable fashion. Its so important we work we work on this to save our planet and the oceans. I have many upcoming events in 2023 supporting sustainable that I am looking forward to sharing.
I have a strong faith and was raised by parents who instilled in me the power of my words. My words always have power. I choose what I say carefully, knowing what I speak can come into existence good or bad. At the end of the day I also know what’s for me will not pass me by. It is in Gods plan.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect for me being a costume designer and celebrity fashion stylist is that I am able to do something that I do not look as work but yet something I love to do and have a passion for. I love that I can take a script from a movie or tv series and bring the characters to life with my costumes. I love that I can create pieces that tell a story of that character before they speak. Bringing the directors vision to life and seeing the final result on the big screen is so rewarding. I love that with fashion styling I am given the opportunities to visualize how I see the look of my client, whether it be for a celebrity, a mom who needs a new wardrobe when going to back to work, the man who dislikes shopping or anyone else who wants that personalized experience for red carpet , a new wardrobe or special event. It makes me happy to know I have helped create a look that makes my client happy , extremely satisfied and many times broadening their ideas to wearing different styles they may have never thought they would wear.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fashionstylingbylisa.com
- Instagram: lisaloveslife0229
- Twitter: livelifenow0603
Image Credits
Complex magazine Lisa Smedley-Calderon