EMPIRE BUILDING x Kelly Augustine
Kelly Augustine is a Fashion Stylist, Content Creator and Media Personality. Based in New York City, she’s a strong advocate for diversity, actively pushing for inclusion within the fashion and lifestyle spaces while using her influence to expand the narrow-mindedness of society’s archaic beauty standards.
Tell us a little about yourself!
As a Stylist, I’ve focused primarily on diverse bodies both in front-of and behind the camera, and my work has been featured in Vogue, The New York Times, Parents Magazine, The New Yorker, Forbes, Netflix and beyond, spanning Celebrity, Editorial, Television and Branded/E-commerce. My clients have included Danielle Brooks, Gabourey Sidibe, Michelle Buteau, and Amari Marshall to name a few.
How did you become interested in styling, and how did you begin to pursue it professionally?
During the pandemic, I had a lot of time to sit and think about my legacy. Styling felt like a natural progression of the empire I was already building. It happened very organically, as I’d been styling personal projects and had one-off consultations. I had celebrities already following me on social, so once I posted my first published styling work, it was off to the races!
What role did education play in your path as a stylist?
I’m actually classically trained in Branding and Marketing. I went to FIT for Fashion Branding and City College for Advertising and Public Relations…gaining skills all of which I use today as a Stylist. I don’t have any formal education in Styling, but highly recommend going to school and assisting!
"A steamer and a micro-stitch gun will change your life!"
What is something about styling that most people wouldn’t know?
That the job is not really about clothes. It’s mostly psychology and empathy and really understanding people. Styling also really requires a ton of math between tailoring and retail math!
Can you describe your usual process for styling a client?
I like to get to the heart of my clients. I need to understand who you are and what your lifestyle is. I have a pretty extensive conversation with all of my clients before we start to work together.
JISOO TOP - Coming Soon.
How does being a stylist impact your personal style? Is styling yourself easier or more challenging?
I have never worn more black in my life! And because the lifestyle is so busy, my wardrobe has become much more streamlined. I honestly don’t have the time to really think about what I am going to wear as much, so I keep a pretty clean palette in my closet and pieces that work together well no matter what I choose.
What is an essential styling item everyone should know about?
A steamer and a micro-stitch gun will change your life.
What is your favorite piece from your Marcella Capsule?
I love both of the pants we chose! Pants are so hard for me, and these are both so comfortable and make a statement without being fussy.
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