We recently connected with Ivanna and have shared our conversation below.
Ivanna, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was moving to Los Angeles from Perth, Western Australia at the beginning of 2022, right after the peak of the pandemic, to pursue my career as a fashion stylist. I had secured my U.S. work visa during Covid, which felt like a win in itself, but the timing was daunting.
The industry was still recovering, the city wasn’t the same LA I had visited pre-Covid, and I knew I’d be starting completely from scratch in a new country with no safety net.
I didn’t have any clients lined up, no real sense of how I’d earn my first dollar, and no clear roadmap—just a deep belief in my work and a willingness to bet on myself.
There was a lot of uncertainty, and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t intimidating. But I decided to lean into the unknown and trust the process.
Fast forward 3.5 years, and I’ve now had the opportunity to style some of the biggest names in the NBA and golf industry, as well as work with celebrities, influencers, and fashion & lifestyle brands I once dreamed of collaborating with.
That leap of faith, despite the timing and the odds, completely transformed my career. It taught me the power of resilience, adaptability, and staying open to possibility, even when the path isn’t clear.
Ivanna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
For those who may not know me, I’m a fashion stylist with over 15 years of experience working across Australia, Europe, and now Los Angeles. I’m deeply passionate about people, storytelling, and self-expression – and I use style as my medium to bring all of those elements together.
From an early age, I was fascinated by fashion, not just the clothes, but the artistry behind every designer’s collection, the way runway shows were styled, and how everything from casting to makeup told a cohesive story.
I studied fashion design straight out of high school, and it was through that journey that I discovered my true passion: styling. I loved the idea of helping people bring their vision and identity to life through what they wear.
After graduating, I dove straight into the industry, working alongside some of the most respected stylists and producers in Australia.
One of my early highlights was flying to Berlin for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, styling and producing shows with Iris Van Herpen and A.F Vandevorst and also working on runway shows featuring Miranda Kerr and top Australian designers.
I’ve since built a broad and diverse portfolio, including editorial shoots, campaigns, retail styling, guest judging at fashion events, hosting style sessions, mentoring aspiring stylists and personal styling for both men and women.
What I offer now is more than just “styling”, it’s a transformational experience through my Style & Soul process.
I work closely with high-level entrepreneurs, athletes, and public figures who want to align their personal style with their brand, story, and presence.
Many of my clients are in the process of leveling up, stepping into new stages of visibility and impact, and I help them show up confidently and authentically.
What sets me apart is my ability to connect with people on a deeper level.
For me, styling isn’t just about clothes, it’s about bringing forward what already lives within you.
My process is guided, intuitive, and collaborative. It’s not about changing who you are, it’s about expressing your essence through how you present yourself to the world.
What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients place in me. Over the past few years in LA, I’ve had the opportunity to style some of the biggest names in the NBA, golf, celebrity, and influencer spaces. But regardless of status, my goal is always the same: to make my clients feel seen, confident, and empowered to tell their story through style.
Your story, your essence, your presence, it all matters. And I’m here to help you bring that to life.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One moment that really tested and revealed my resilience was when I made the move from Australia to LA to pursue my career as a stylist, right after the pandemic.
I arrived with no clear path. The industry was still finding its footing again, and the connections I had made on previous trips to LA had either moved away or pivoted completely. I was in a brand-new city, trying to break into a highly competitive field, and at the same time, I got COVID and was feeling physically and mentally drained while trying to settle in.
I started reaching out to anyone I could — agencies, photographers, creatives — often hearing nothing back. The silence was tough. I remember wondering if I had made the right decision. But giving up just wasn’t an option.
So I shifted gears. I focused on showing up in person , attending events, supporting other creatives, and just being present in the spaces where the work was happening. That’s when things began to shift. One conversation would lead to another, and suddenly I was being offered opportunities I hadn’t even imagined. It didn’t happen overnight, but slowly, those small consistent efforts started building momentum.
Looking back, I think that experience taught me that resilience isn’t always loud or glamorous. Sometimes it looks like sending that 20th email. Or showing up when you’re exhausted. Or staying open when the door keeps closing. But it paid off, and it shaped how I approach every challenge now.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
What’s really helped me build my reputation is consistently showing up with integrity, transparency, and clear communication, whether I’m working with a personal client or a global brand.
Styling is such a nuanced space, especially when you’re balancing personal storytelling with brand alignment. I make sure every client, whether it’s a public figure, an entrepreneur, or an international brand, feels seen, heard, and confident in the process.
My role often sits at the intersection of image, identity, and strategy, and I factor this in with every client im working with.
In LA, and especially in a niche market, your reputation is everything. Good work gets talked about. People share names. So I’ve always treated every job, no matter how big or small, with the same level of professionalism, attention to detail, and care.
Working with international clients and global brands, I’ve learned how important it is to be flexible, culturally aware, and highly organized. Whether I’m collaborating across time zones or working on remote shoots, my clients know they can rely on me to deliver with consistency, clarity, and taste that aligns with their vision.
At the end of the day, I believe people work with people they trust, and I’ve built that trust by being dependable, collaborative, and results-driven in every interaction.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ivannafontana.com/
- Instagram: @ivannafontana
Image Credits
Nick Onken