Today we’d like to introduce you to Phyllis Leibowitz

Hi Phyllis, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

I started my fashion styling career by first working as a production assistant on tv commercials – the lowest entry level job. I loved film production, and I had always loved fashion. So when I discovered there was a job category where I could do both – it was a no brainer! Then I used my contacts to meet fashion stylists and worked as an assistant stylist to learn the craft and get experience. I also had to build a huge database of resources and develop relationships with designers, vendors, costume houses. Now I can find anything a client asks for!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

No, it’s been a lot of hard work. From the outside people might think it’s a glamorous job, but styling photo shoots involves very early alarm clocks, working long hours, often not having time to stop to eat lunch. Now my work with private clients is a lot more civilized, I don’t have a pre determined schedule with an artist, photographer, crew and a studio booking. It’s just me and my client, so I can make my own hours, which I love.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

As a commercial fashion stylist, my job is to source clothes for an artist – celebrity, actor, musician, model, author, and style them on set for magazine shoots, advertisements, publicity photos, tv commercials, album covers, music videos, Broadway marquees. I’m hired by magazines, advertising agencies, record labels, and publicists.

And now I’m working more with private clients on their personal wardrobes. I help organize their closets, discard clothes they haven’t worn for years, shop for new clothes and style outfits. I love working with private clients – it’s emotionally rewarding to help with their image, find silhouettes that best flatter their body types, and build confidence. It’s a lot more than personal shopping – I help them make them happy – I love that!

Most people think fashion styling is just about going shopping for designer clothes – but that can’t be further from the truth.

I have thousands of resources throughout the world, including established and emerging fashion designers, boutiques, department stores, online vendors, costume houses, vintage dealers, shoe brands, jewelry and accessories manufacturers, prop rentals, wardrobe equipment, trimmings, tailors, costume fabricators, makeup artists, hair stylists, and bespoke suiting. And I am experienced with industry protocol for procuring these items, for instance, via the memo process for costumes, studio services at department stores, rental agreements, equipment contracts, etc.

There are all different kinds of stylists – some specialize in fashion or beauty, some work with kids, some style e-commerce, etc. I tend to specialize in advertisements and editorials for celebrities. I also love rock and roll, so I style a lot of bands for album covers. I also have experience with mens suiting, which a lot of stylists don’t. And I have an advantage in that I have a deep knowledge of fashion history, so I’m able to style vintage costumes. The actor Liev Schreiber starred in the play “Doubt” on Broadway earlier this year, and I styled photos for the Playbill and marquee. It takes place in the early 1960s so I was able to source costumes from that era. I know the difference between silhouettes from the Edwardian era vs. the Victorian era. I’m in the costume designers union, so I can work on major motion pictures. For instance, you need to be in the union to work on a Scorsese or Spielberg film.

For private clients, my work is more psychological and emotional. I want them to feel great in the clothes they wear every day. I never pressure a client to wear something they don’t feel comfortable in, and I won’t let them buy anything they don’t LOVE. If they want a brown cashmere sweater and they find one they like, I won’t let them buy it. I tell them that they have to LOVE it. There are a million brown cashmere sweaters in the world, and we hold out until we find the perfect one. That is how you build a solid wardrobe that you will love forever. I want them to look at photos in 5 years and not say: “What was I thinking?”

One of the achievements I’m most proud of is I styled the legendary musician Lou Reed for a music video in the late 1990s. The director asked me to make a black t shirt with gold letters that said “Rock N Roll Animal” which is the name of one of Lou’s most iconic albums. Lou loved the shirt so much, he donated it to The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland, so my shirt is now in their permanent collection!

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?

I know this answer might sound arrogant. I’d love to give you a long list of people who mentored me, supported me, and played a big role in the success of my business. But if I’m going to honestly answer who deserves credit for my career, it’s me! I’ve never had opportunities handed to me on a silver platter. No family connections, no mentors, no teammates played a big role in the success of my business. No opportunity ever magically landed in my lap. When I was an assistant, none of the stylists I worked for wanted to see me get my own clients. One stylist even blocked me when her agency expressed interest in signing me to their roster. She threatened to leave them if they signed me! It’s a very competitive business. So most of my success has been a result of my own hustle, working long hours, networking to meet as many potential clients as possible, and sensing opportunities for new business. When I’ve had repeat clients, it’s because I worked hard, and made my clients happy.. Because of what I went through, I have the confidence to mentor my assistants. I want them to learn and eventually have styling careers of their own.

Pricing:

• Upon Request

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.phyllisleibowitzstylist.com
• Instagram: @phylleib
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phyllis.leibowitz
• Twitter: @phylleib