We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aliesha Hatalovsky. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aliesha below.

Aliesha, appreciate you joining us today. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?

My journey to becoming a fashion and prop stylist along with a vintage seller blossomed thanks to my true heros, my Aunt Donna and late grandmother Fran!

My aunt Donna Giambrone Ingram lives near NYC and attended Parsons and FIT, owned her own lingerie line and store, worked in house for a sleepwear design company. She now teaches children how to sew along with her other passions. My memories are filled with my aunt bringing me to her job, which was a pivotal point in my journey. This is where I was exposed to various careers in the fashion industry and realized there is not just the sole role of a designer. There are careers working on creative behind each garment and those who work with the finished product, ding ding ding! This is what I connected with, a finished garment where I could take it into my own world. Without this exposure I think I may have held onto the designer role and taken a longer path to get to where I am today.

My grandmother Fran Hatalovsky from suburban NJ sewed her own clothing at home for herself and her family, taught me how to knit, and passed on her collection of fabrics and vintage accessories. We would visit my grandparents who lived in a row home with vintage interiors, grandma always had her perfect big beehive hairdo and pearls on. This exposure to vintage sparked joy in so many ways. I then began seeking out vintage at thrift stores, online, and whenever my family went on trips. It feels like each vintage piece has a date and a story, some we may never know. In 2020 during the pandemic I started to slowly curate a vintage collection and realized that vintage is one of my loves I can create into a career thanks to my grandmas exposure.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Aliesha Hatalovsky and. I am a fashion and prop stylist based in Brooklyn, NY. I also sell clothing as Out The Door Vintage online and at flea markets!

Ever since I was young I was always interested in fashion and grew up around an Aunt in the industry and a grandmother who sewed her families clothing. I discovered the role of a stylist through visiting my aunts job and the tv show What not to Wear with Stacy London. I grew up on Long Island, near NYC so I knew FIT was my dream college, and ended up going for photography and fabric styling. The photography program introduced me to many peers who I now frequently collaborate with in the field. During my first year in college I sent out cold emails to dozens of NYC stylists and one, Allison St Germain, answered and brought me in to assist her. This hands on experience confirmed this was the path for me, I am forever grateful!

As a fashion and prop stylist I work with various clients/brands to help bring their concepts to life. I source clothing or props, depending on what role I am taking on for a job. I prep the clothing/ props I sourced (setting up, steaming), help dress models, adjust clothing to fit (using safety pins, clamps), design sets with props and product, make necessary returns, and adhere to budgets. The job involves a lot more than just on set time, most jobs allow for prep and return days to get organized and source.

I am proud of my styling work that has been in collaboration with many fellow friends and colleagues. I truly believed when we thrive together it creates beautiful work that is such a strong addition to all of our portfolios. An example of this is the story I styled called “Entwined”, published online Flanelle Magazine (https://flanellemag.com/entwined-by-david-kaminsky-for-flanelle-magazine/) with photographer David Kaminsky, and set designer Liana Kornitzer.

Another job I am extremely proud of is the cover of May 2021 Bloomberg Business week magazine (https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2021-how-to/). My incredibly talented friend and, fellow FIT Alumni, Beth Sacca shot the cover and asked me to style. This was a moment I will never forget, from sitting next to each other in class to styling a cover shoot she was photographing it all felt full circle.

To view more of my styling work you can check out my website: www.alieshahatalovsky.com

When it comes to my vintage business I sell at flea markets, such as Bushwick market on weekends. This side hustle was born from my love of vintage clothing and my own collection. I source, photograph, steam, load up the car and head to the flea market to set up on weekends! Its extremely fun to connect to fellow vintage lovers in the real world! You can check us out online at www.outthedoorvintage.com.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love the fast pace being a creative in this industry provides. I dont like to sit still, I love a challenge and would not thrive in a typical desk office job. The option to create my own schedule/ accept jobs as I like and plan my days off is super convenient. Depending how long each project is, my days to weeks can vary drastically.

Being able to work with so many different creatives (photographers, set designers, art directors, hair and makeup artists) is also so inspiring. Seeing each persons craft play a role in a final image is so rewarding.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Earlier in my styling career I wish I knew about expense tracking apps. I recently asked some fellow colleagues what they use and this seems to save the most time/ energy when organizing your receipts. I have been spending a lot of time organizing my business finances and wish I used an app sooner to make the process of doing taxes as a small business simpler.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.alieshahatalovsky.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliesherz/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/out_the_door_vintage/ www.outthedoorvintage.com

Image Credits
David Kaminsky, Robbie Soko, Gabriella Spiegel