We recently connected with Elysaveth Miranda and have shared our conversation below.
Elysaveth, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
When I started in the fashion industry, I was captivated by the idea that clothes and style were beyond physicality. That every person had a different style and story, and what excited me the most was that I was going to be able to tell such stories through the power of fabrics and accessories. While working as a stylist on productions and sets, as well as styling big clients, I learned that the fashion industry on the higher level is not like I thought it was. At this behind the scenes level, you’re not able to draw out that connection to clothes and to the people around you. It’s exciting, the idea of selling and styling to get something out there, but I missed sharing the authenticity and freedom that true style brought to my closet. On the consumer level, high-consumption and trends ruined any idea to be able to portray their true personalities, and essentially made them into Zara Zombies. I found my passion and light through one-on-one styling sessions. I’m able to really dive into who someone is and how they want the world to see who they are through what they wear. One of my favorite things to do with my clients is introduce them to the thrift store. Sustainability, affordability, and really being able to spark that connection between a client and what they wear is my favorite thing in the world!
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?
Hello! My name is Elysaveth Miranda, but everyone knows me by Ely. I’m a fashion stylist in the South Florida area. I started my styling journey in Atlanta, working sets and production, and continued that work into my recent move here to Miami. Ever since I was young, I’ve been obsessed with everything creative. I painted my way to many awards, wrote until I was published several times, and found myself playing with fabrics and shopping more hours of the day than not. Fashion was always a love of mine, but it wasn’t until after high school when I decided to take the plunge into the competitive industry. I’ve been very blessed to say I’ve been able to work on amazing sets for companies like Harpers Bazaar Brazil and Caras Uruguay and worked with the best of the best of the industry. It truly has been amazing from working on small beach shoots to large multi-day productions. Now, I focus on taking those larger stories clothes are telling and individualizing them for your everyday person with lower budgets. I love transforming someone’s life through their wardrobe. Helping someone achieve a level of confidence and self-expression through what they wear is something that brings me a joy I cannot explain through words.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Saying yes. I know, it sounds crazy but hear me out! When I started in the industry, I got my breaks by being a yes (wo)man. Whatever opportunity came about, whatever job, whatever task, I didn’t even blink before saying yes. At first, this really helped me grow connections and experience, which I am eternally grateful for. Yet, by the time I felt I had the experience I needed and wanted to venture to work on my own, I was stuck in this people-pleasing yes loop that I felt I couldn’t get out of. I wanted so much to be in this industry that I felt I gave myself away. I, unintentionally, prioritized someone else’s dream over my husband, my family, friends, and my own mental and physical health, not to mention my own dream. I didn’t eat or work out because I was always working. I never took breaks. It was a very hard cycle to break, and now that I’m out of it, I’ve never felt more able to pursue what I’d like to pursue. I’m free, finally, and now I’m able to build real and lasting connections with clients and present style in a beautiful and light way.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
Oh my gosh…people do not tell you how much starting a business really costs! Everyone wants to be a fashion stylists until those refunds aren’t being accepted and the credit card bills roll in. So, I will say this: when I first started I didn’t start off with a lot of capital. I bought myself a stylist’s kit (about $150) worth of everything I thought I would need (steamer, clips, pins, pasties…). Then I worked with a lot of vintage and thrifted items. ASOS and Zara were also resources I used when I had to buy something new. Everything returned, and the power of my sewing machine came into play big time as well. This was in Atlanta, where I feel the creatives are still a little more open. Miami is a different story. There is so much work in Miami, but a lot of it is commercial, so everyone needs commercial on their portfolio to be able to get hired. This is when the bill started to get higher. Luxury brands, a ton of Zara, things that were straight out of the mall, and racks and racks of them. Clients expect the best of the best, and you have to deliver. The cool thing about personal styling is that there are really no initial fees involved. The client pays for your time but they are in charge of their budget and buying the products themselves. If you’re wanting to go into fashion styling for production…you better save those pennies!
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: @styledbyelysaveth