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

Chelsea, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Starting a local runway production company grew as an idea of my love of fashion shows. With the fast paced drama, art, and creativity of the display of show, shows are my favorite thing. I love supporting local models and businesses while being creative in this space. I am obsessed with the timing and chaos of dressing backstage. Making sure every detail is organized before the first drop of the music line up. Picking and pulling looks became a ritualistic way to display a feeling of the brand, designer, or my thought process. Being involved in the community has helped build local models resumes and boost local businesses.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Chelsea Davis, I am a wardrobe stylist and runway show producer. Styled by Chelsea and Elite Image Management are my sole companies. I pride myself on being an affordable and sustainable stylist as well as a producer that supports local businesses, local talent, and ensures diversity of representation.

I have had many different clients as a stylist, most of which have been moms, teens, and influencers. I help clients make use of what they already have in their own closets before the need of shopping or shopping hauls. I teach people to mix and match and how to wear the same outfit over and over by styling pieces differently. I promote the wearability of your own closet, especially pieces people try to save for the right time or if they had something to match with it specifically. Breaking out of your box and comfort zone as much as possible while growing into your own style. I love to watch productions with a theme, that are fun, and are more than your normal walk with no smile cliche. Having some theatrics and excitement to be different during shows with props or choreography has been how I like to run my shows.

I started producing runway shows in 2019, and have focused on small and local businesses as well as models who do not meet the standard size and height restrictions in the industry. This year alone only 1% of plus size models, that being size 8 and up in the US, were used at New York Fashion week. While height restrictions seem to be passed when you are a celebrity or influencer as well. Local agencies in the DFW support a specific size and height requirement for runway walking. I have provided a majority of experiences for model’s resumes in the past couple years.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The first show I produced was for a small secondhand store in Denton in 2019 called NIFFT. I had heard of the store as it was becoming popular in town and decided to check it out. The store owner and I hit it off from the beginning as she told me about her ideas for a grand opening fashion show. That month I extensively coordinated models, fittings, and stylings to help best fit the stores providing’s. We had a sold-out show; with models and people looping around the block. Some amazing content I still share today, as well as various contacts and models. Having a plan or goal is one thing, but executing it is what matters. So many people have great ideas or abilities, but it depends on if that person applies them or takes risks.

When I started doing my own local fashion shows with local businesses my main attraction was the fashion and production. But going into 2020 with the pandemic my heart was on charity and helping advertise for local businesses alongside my love of fashion. Building production, advertisement, and influencers to the game. I partnered with businesses such as the NYLO hotels, The Long Drink, Dallas Silk Art, Good Vibes Yoga Studio, and Kendra Scott, just to name a few. As a company we collaborated with over 50 boutiques in our popup market for just 3 shows at the NYLO. I had started this initiative with just a plan and a goal and I have learned that you have to unlearn a clear path for success; as well as weighing your own success against others.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Clients I have worked with for producing fashion shows either did not have a full size run or were not diverse in their want for models. Local shows that host designers will cast for the show then individually pick models. I, personally was casted to walk an event being a 5’3 size 12 model, and then day of was told they did not have anything to fit me or I did not fit their brand’s style. Another host of a large event production in the area was casting and seemed unprepared with what designers, clothes lines or sizes would be available. Meaning they were looking for a generic model in the industry, sizes 0-4 and 5’9 height. I am currently the only event to run or promote completely diverse looks, sizes, and heights.

Previously, working for Bella Modeling school, they host a large runway show for their graduation of students, in the hopes of booking with a local agency that night. Models through the school are encouraged no matter your size that you can learn how to pose, walk, and advertise yourself. Unfortuantly, not all agencies are accepting all sizes and heights, stating requirements online. A former model I have used from Bella Modeling school has the most amazing walk and on her graduation night was addressed by some of these local agencies. They told her they loved her walk and it stood out among everyone else, but she would be best suited for catalog due to her being 5’4.

Diversity is still a leading issue in the fashion industry and I pride myself on trying to break some molds along the way. Hoping to inspire others and give others more opportunities in the large fashion metroplex of the DFW.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Chelseastyle29