We had the good fortune of connecting with lisa Smedley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
I absolutely love my career and have been very blessed to do what I love. However it is hard work and always full of last minute surprises. I always have to be flexible and ready to change something on a moments notice. I think the one thing people are unaware of in my industry of Costume Design and Celebrity Fashion Styling is that its all glamorous. Its hanging out with the actors /celebrities. and that it happens overnight. This is a big misconception. There is a huge amount of research, organization, and sometimes being like a therapist where you have to get inside the directors brain, the actors brain and/ or artist to see how they are thinking or feeling that day. I have so many people who are just starting out, wanting to do what I do. They see the movies, tv series, celebrities , red carpet , and commercials I have worked on after its been finished. What they don’t see are the weeks and months I am researching for information for a movie and TV series. They don’t see the endless amount of fittings for each character that could start at 4 am to the evening just for the script to change and you start all over with more fittings. The list goes on and on. It is being ready and prepared for anything and everything that could change or go wrong. Its sometimes shopping and creating that look needed with only a 24 hr notice . However , what I always say is if you really feel this is your passion, all the hard work won’t feel like hard work. If you love what you do. I have been in the fashion industry now for over 16 yrs and I know what to expect , and how to prepare. Most importantly I know to always stay humble and know its not about me. Its about doing the best job I can to bring a vision to life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What keeps me busy professionally are all  the steps I take to make sure I am always prepared for each project. First ,if it’s a TV series or movie, I am researching and researching after reading and breaking down  the script. I am  not only shopping and creating looks, but taking meetings with the director and production to make sure I am getting all the details to bring the vision of the director to life. There is setting the line and so many other long lists of responsibilities I have in prepping to make sure once the characters are on screen it is exactly what the director envisioned it to be. There are tons of fittings  and collaborating with  the director. There is setting the line. Then onto the actual shoot days that are very long days.

I am constantly looking at things, people and places that creatively inspire me.I look at different fabrics, textures and colors as well as creating in my mind what I want to see on screen. To me the world is a canvas. I am looking at what the painter saw at Home Depot had on, the jazz artist I saw, and many other real people. So when it comes time for me to bring characters to real life I have a mental note of how each looked so it’s authentic.  When I am styling an artist I am  first learning about the artist. their shape, style and type of audience. I then meet with them. I then visit showrooms, stores and designers to pull looks. The same goes for the artist. Fittings with options always until we find the perfect look.
This is my passion so looking at everything in a more creative way comes natural to me. I have many great projects coming up that I am excited about. I am looking forward to everyone seeing them!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start the morning with a morning walk or run on the Atlanta Beltline. I would then take them to one of my favorite places to eat a healthy breakfast/brunch at my favorite place Flower Child. I would take her to the Iwi Fresh Spa which I love .They use all natural products that are made of vegetables . It is a skin farming spa and black owned! We would have to visit the Shops of Buckhead to see some of the beautiful designers collections. I would end the evening taking her to listen to live music at the W hotel and dinner at one of the great healthy restaurants in Atlanta where we could sit outside.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mom! If it weren’t for my mom who was a professional model when I was growing up ,and surrounding me with fashion I wouldn’t be doing what I love. She also was the one who pushed this girl from Cincinnati to attend college in Los Angeles and pursue my fashion career. She passed away in 2014 so I always make sure I tell people she is my story so I will always dedicate everything to her.

Website: www.fashionstylingbylisa.com
Instagram: lisa_loves_fashion_

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