We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jober Velasco a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jober , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

I ended up in wardrobe styling through sheer desperation. I had a regular job which was lost during the recession of 2008/2009. I couldn’t find a job in the field I had been working in (transportation) for a couple years. Everyone had always told me a dressed nicely and I should do something in fashion, but I didn’t know where to begin. So I went to where everyone goes when they’re struggling to find something…..Craigslist.

There was a sketchy add for a “Fashion Stylist School” but I figured it was worth a shot. Taking those classes was one of the best things I ever did. After going through the courses, I realized that anyone from any background could work in fashion so it all depended on how much effort you put into it. So I knew then I could be successful.

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?

I basically help clients get dressed for events. It’s an oversimplification of what I do, because at face value my job shouldn’t exist. People should really be able to dress themselves after all. But as a wardrobe stylist, you’re working with a client often to create a look or a persona that the public will end up recognizing and identifying with.

With actors, they tend to be so busy, that even the simple act of going out and shopping for something is impossible. So a stylist can act as a personal shopper for them. I do this with non-celebrity clients as well.

When it comes to events and red carpets, that’s where stylists really get involved as we have the connections with the brands, designers, and show rooms and can use some very exclusive pieces for an Award Show or movie premiere.

In the end, the stylist really helps make everything easier for the client. I try my best to alleviate any stress as far as the clothes and the look is concerned.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of my job as a wardrobe stylist is finding myself in situations I never dreamed I would be in.

I have several moments where I had to pinch myself because I couldn’t believe what was happening was real.

I’ve rummaged around Bradley Cooper’s closet at his home. I had a beer with Aaron Paul on the front porch of his house. I walked the red carpet at a movie premiere just behind Jim Carrey. The first time I met Joan Rivers on the set of Fashion Police, the first words out of her mouth were “You look fantastic!”

If it didn’t get any better than that, it was still better than I ever thought it would be.

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

I had to unlearn that there is a definitive right or wrong in fashion. The truth is you will never please everyone. Even if you put your client in the most beautiful, elegant dress or suit, there will be people that absolutely hate it. I had to stop caring about what other people thought. I have literally had outfits I worked on blasted on Fashion Police when it was still on the air.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jobervelasco