I've written quite a bit about how influencer clothing lines are a natural next step for many of the world's top social media stars, but there's another type of fashion expert out there who makes a great designer: the stylist.
Not only are these individuals dressing and beautifying taste-making celebrities of the world, but they're also experiencing firsthand the products from countless top brands in the fashion and beauty world. Stylists know how clothes are supposed to fit and the adjustments they need to make to make a garment flawless. Makeup artists and hairstylists have sampled hundreds of formulas and ingredients in the products that they use on their clients in order to know which ones are the most effective. Stylists have vast resources and knowledge on what makes a product successful, so when they set out to create their own line, they know how to make it right.
But don't take it just from me! I spoke with three different style professionals—makeup artist Dillon Pena, stylist Cristina Ehrlich, and hairstylist Ricardo Roja—to get their take on the stylist brand trend.
How has social media changed your industry and how you attract new clients?
Social media has given indie brands, like Leland Francis, a way to reach new clients without having to go the traditional route of spending thousands of dollars a month on advertisement placement. I'm able to attract new clients by sharing the brand's vision and personality.
Tell me about the process of developing Leland Francis.
On set I noticed clients would look at ingredients in the skincare, so Leland Francis was developed because I needed a natural solution to help prime and prep the skin for a smoother application. It took over nine months to develop and test the first product, and four years later I am about to introduce my ninth.
I made many mistakes; some were costly, which I learned from, and others were happy accidents. When I was developing and through my first launch, I was a team of one. I spearhead everything from media outreach to graphic design, shipping to website design, and even sales. Four years in, I'm able to have people wear the hats I once had to wear.
