We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kylie Gelfand a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Kylie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
It took me a while to discover what truly felt like my purpose in life. For the longest time, I believed I was made for a career in sports—I spent years refining my resume (so many internships), aiming to secure the perfect job in that field. I woke up one day and everything shifted. I decided to take a leap of faith, pursuing a career as a full-time wardrobe stylist, despite having no prior experience or background in fashion.
Since that moment, I haven’t looked back. I’ve become incredibly passionate about what I do. Every time I curate an outfit or stumble upon a unique piece, I feel a rush of excitement. Fashion has become more than a career path—it’s something I eat, sleep, and breathe. It was definitely a risk leaving behind what I thought was my life purpose but so rewarding finding the fuel that drives me.
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’ve been living in Los Angeles for about 3.5 years, but it wasn’t until 1.5 years ago that the fashion industry found its way to me. I originally moved here from Oregon after completing my master’s in public relations to pursue work in that field. I was convinced I’d be working in sports but I found out fairly quickly that everything does not go as planned. However, I do believe everything happens for a reason, which is why I am where I am now.
Looking back on the past year fills me with immense joy as I reflect on how much I’ve grown, both personally and professionally. That growth hasn’t come without its challenges—challenges that have truly tested my resilience and strength.
I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had: working with amazing clients and collaborating on projects that have stretched my creativity beyond my wildest dreams.
As a wardrobe stylist, I help my clients curate looks for everything from game days and photoshoots to red carpets and vacations. What sets me apart is my ability to make the styling process enjoyable, understanding how hectic my clients’ lives can be.
I’m proud to have built my brand from the ground up, and every day, I’m excited to see it continue to grow.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
My clients are truly what make my job so enjoyable. I’m incredibly fortunate to work with some of the best athletes, artists, and brands in the industry. Staying connected with my clients feels effortless because many of them become my friends—people I genuinely enjoy spending time with.
In my business, fostering brand loyalty is essential. I believe that building strong relationships with brands plays a huge role in the growth of my personal brand. These collaborations fuel my passion for fashion, allowing me to showcase their unique pieces when styling my clients. I can’t help but get excited when I see small brands release the most amazing streetwear—it’s what keeps my creativity thriving.
Have you ever had to pivot?
During my four years as an undergrad, I dedicated myself to becoming a sports broadcaster. I sacrificed events, games, parties, and travel to build my name in that industry. Every summer, I worked in a new state for companies that would help my resume stand out.
Then the pandemic hit, and like many others, my plans were derailed as sports came to a standstill. The dreams I had spent countless days and nights working toward suddenly seemed out of reach.
To buy myself time and add more to my resume, I decided to stay in school for another 15 months. Halfway through my online master’s program, I was lucky enough to land a job at Fox Sports, so I packed up and moved to LA without hesitation.
But during my time at Fox, I realized the sports industry wasn’t what I had envisioned. Though my passion for sports remained, I started to feel like I had taken the wrong path. After years of working toward that goal, I was left feeling confused and lost, and LA began to feel a little bleak.
Thankfully, LA is a city bursting with creativity, and I knew if I stuck it out, I’d find my way. Little did I know, that path would lead me to a career I had been doing for fun all along—shopping. From a young age, I had a deep love for clothing, but growing up in a small town in Oregon, styling wasn’t something you saw as a career—it wasn’t even on the radar. With zero experience in the fashion industry, I did my research,
spoke with people in the industry and realized this was my future.
I’m incredibly grateful that I found my way to fashion and that this industry welcomed me with open arms.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kystyled.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyliegelfand?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylie-gelfand?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kyliegelfand?_t=8q0BJb55zxO&_r=1