I am delighted to have celebrity fashion stylist Raven Roberts on our Shanahan Studio Session this week. Born in California, based in New York City working as a celebrity freelance stylist. Raven has served as the key wardrobe stylist for campaigns, web series, music videos, various feature and short films. Her work has been featured in international publications and photography exhibits. Raven was on Macy's Next Style Star and Bare Minerals Beauty Uncovered. We talk about everything fashion, styling tips and career advice.
How long have you been in the fashion industry?
I’ve been in the industry now for 9 years.
How did you become a fashion stylist?
I really fell into it. Basically a friend of a friend needed help with an event bringing more of a fashion element to it. The event turned out to be for a web series. At the time I was making jewelry so she and I thought it’d be great to get my jewelry in the series. When I met with the creator of the series she asked me to be the stylist for the series.
What is your earliest fashion memory?
My earliest memory of actually liking a piece of clothing was when my Godmother got me this little red Betsy Johnson dress. I was probably younger than 5 but I loved that dress. I’m now looking for another version of it.
What are your best moments as a fashion stylist?
I was a part of a makeover show early in my career. To this day it was so rewarding doing those makeovers for those women. It’s just something about putting women in clothes they’ve always dreamed of.
You work as a freelancer, is this difficult as you are working for yourself and you have to find your clientele? For our readers can you tell us what a freelance stylist entails?
Freelance styling entails so much. You are your agent, manager, PR, accountant and so much more all in one. In the beginning it was harder but now a lot of my work is referral based or working with people I’ve worked with before. The more you work the more people get to know you and your aesthetic. You really never know how many rooms your name has entered before you have.
One item every woman should own.
A great pair of jeans. I have loved jeans basically my whole life. At one point I had over 50 pairs lol. But a great pair can take you from day to night, brunch to cocktails.
You moved from the west coast to the east coast. Which city has the better fashion style?
I think NY, there’s so many different styles here and I love how many individuals there are. Meaning there's so many people who walk to the beat of their own drum when it comes to what they wear.
Have you any signature accessories?
I love gold jewelry. You will always see me wearing multiple necklaces, multiple earrings, multiple rings and multiple bracelets lol. Just lots of gold jewelry.
Do you have any advice for anyone pursuing a career in fashion?
Intern! Intern! Intern! AND Assist! Assist! Assist! Learn as much as you can. The industry is a lot and there’s so much to learn and it’s a much harder route when you make your own way.
What are you buying this season to update your look?
SKIN IS IN! I’m buying all the crop tops and cut out pieces. I’ve also gotten super into men’s pants lately.
Do you follow fashion trends?
Sometimes, most times no. I wear a lot of thrifted and vintage pieces. I wear what I want when I want lol. So most times I usually try trends late or after they aren’t trendy lol.
Three pieces of advice you would tell your younger self?
Never Give Up
God is Always with You
You’re so Much Better Than You Think You Are
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I’ve recently started doing content creation, so in 5 years I hope to be working with bigger brands and making a living traveling the world with my family.
Where can people find you online?
People can find me on IG at @stylistravenroberts or my website www.ravenroberts.com
Thank you for your time Raven. Really good styling tips and career advice here. I wish you the best for the future. Hannah x