We recently connected with Jiovani Cervantes and have shared our conversation below.

Jiovani, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

To tell you the truth, I’ve never really liked the idea of playing it safe in anything when it came to my life. Where would the fun be in that? I always wanted to be the one who pushed boundaries, who thought outside of the box, or took the road less traveled by. Thinking this way as an adolescent had taught me at a young age, that the rewards are greater on the other side of risk, chance, and fear, but you’ve got to be strong enough to see it through. The end result is always the same for me now these days; “all of what I just went through, so damn worth it!”.

I’m not here to convince anybody that they should be taking more chances or risks in their lives, because truthfully it takes a specific kind of person to see more reward in uncertainty than not, and that’s certainly not everybody. Instead, I’d like to share with you how taking risks has gotten me as far as I have come in my creative career, they’re almost a requirement at this point in my life!

I officially began my styling journey in 2017 where I was curating my friends closets in high school, at this time I had also been a musician for years and frequently performed and traveled throughout Washington State. I tried to continue pursuing both passions during my university years, until I eventually had an identity crisis which led me to dropping out of school on a full ride scholarship. When that happened, I felt like a failure, to myself and the ones who thought they were going to see me graduate university and head off to law school. However, I knew that wasn’t my true reality and that I had to make it right, with no other back up plan or intention of settling for a blue-collar job, I made the radical decision to dedicate my life to the arts and do all that I could to make my living by doing the things I love the most. I was going to monetize the things that I could do the best with the least amount of effort, styling and making music were going to be my ticket in life.

2 weeks after dropping out I was still living on campus when I got a phone call that would change the trajectory of my life forever; my best friends and creative mentors who had moved out to Los Angeles some time before I graduate high school, called me with an opportunity to do what I love full-time with them in California. With not much of a choice, nor hesitation, I packed up a suitcase full of my belongings and jumped on the next flight to California a week later. Leaving all that I knew behind to make something of myself with this new opportunity. Fast forward a few years later, I would be working freelance providing styling services for big companies and high-profile clientele. Not working a regular job, because I had enough faith in myself and what I do that I was sure I’d land a gig that day or the next.

Now, every bet I’ve made on myself so far has resulted in a huge payout. I live comfortably running a bi-coastal styling business with two amazing assistants, I’m also a creative assistant to a prolific fashion house, and mentor aspiring stylists. I get to live the life I’ve always imagined in my mind. I don’t think I would feel this grounded and fulfilled if I hadn’t made that drastic decision in college. Maybe I would’ve, who knows? Regardless, being a risk taker has been a crucial part of my life’s journey, it’s allowed me to hold all that I’ve seen in my mind, in my hands, become a version of myself that I love, and have more time to dedicate to those I love. Again, not telling you to take a leap of faith you don’t want to take, just letting you know that something greater than what you were expecting could be waiting for you on the other side.

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 Jiovani, I’m a wardrobe stylist based out of Los Angeles, California. With 7 years of industry experience paired with knowledge obtained from FIDM online schooling and an established network of resources and mentors, I’ve managed to build an inclusive bi-coastal business dedicated to curating stylish and empowering looks for high-profile clientele, special events, and editorials for publication. My clientele includes styling those in social media, music and business; models, entrepreneurs, musicians, those who are really looking to leave their mark on the world.

My styling process focuses on leaving my muse feeling elevated and empowered in every look. I always aims to spark the realization that your authenticity is the key to good outfit curation. Remaining authentic and being willing to push boundaries and challenge the norms. You can expect my kindness, positive energy, eye for detail, and my confidence in my ability to make every moment picture perfect.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a creative to me is finding my tribe. Others who are like me in this world, who have also taken the road less traveled by because they believe in themselves and their craft enough to take it. Building new relationships and memories with these individuals as they just get me the most, the feeling of home and the friendship they give is the greatest reward. Bond is very important to me, and it will always be the most fulfilling reward that’s gained from this industry.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Until everyone accepts the idea that art weaves the very fabrics of society, I think the first bit of grunt work will come from artists supporting artists. The art community needs to be relentless in sharing, boosting, and promoting their work as well as others, while leaving behind the “only me” mentality because there is strength in numbers when you’re all in it together.

We live in the digital era these days, and I think now more than ever people are being exposed to art and its many mediums and dedicating themselves to practicing them. Using them as outlets for creative expression, individualism, and therapeutic purposes. I think society should encourage the usage or art in these ways more and promote it as such in the schools our children attend, in the communities we live in, on the radio or television, wherever most of our media is consumed, etc. because without a thriving art community our world would be bland and colorless.

Art is a reflection of society and culture, we see it in the clothes on our backs, the books that we read, the music we dance and sing along to, the food we cook with love to serve to family and friends, the murals we stop to admire and take photos of, or films that have touched our hearts. It should be something that is sacred to us all in society, and for that reason we should always be talking about it, boosting and promoting it, investing in it, and fighting for it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jiovanicervantes.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiovanicervantes/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiovanistyles/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jiovani-cervantes-los-angeles-3