Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Christopher.
Ryan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I first got into styling during my undergrad years at Miles College located in Birmingham. Al. Around my junior year, I started producing fashion shows on campus and that’s what sparked my love for styling; before then. I honestly didn’t even know styling was like a career lol. So upon graduating, just as everyone, I entered the “9 to 5” world. What a lot of people don’t know is that I was so interested in the entertainment industry just as a whole I would do extra work on movie sets working my 9 to 5 just to see how stuff worked on set and it was quite educating. Upon getting fired from my 9 to 5, there was a friend of mine who was telling me about a Celebrity Fashion Stylist by the name of Shun Melson that was based in Atlanta. She suggested that I reach out to her and I did just that. I then became an Intern for Shun and later became her assistant and during this time I was still based in Birmingham, Al; that is where my styling career began.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Of course, it hasn’t been a smooth road. Being based in Birmingham was definitely hard but I used it to my advantage. Since I was introduced to working with entertainers thru Shun, it was something that just stayed with me. Let me say this tho I NEVER got into this career to just be a “celebrity” stylist my gift is to make EVERYONE MAN, WOMAN, CHILD, look and feel good about themselves! So since working with entertainers stayed with me what I would do since Birmingham was small I would reach out to entertainers and offer them my service and I gained my first client on my own that way which was LisaRaye McCoy. So I didn’t dwell on Birmingham being slow and moving to Atlanta right off the bat; I made Birmingham work for me!
Ryan Christopher – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Well of course as I stated before my gift is to make people feel good about themselves. We all feel good about ourselves when we KNOW we look good right? Another part of my gift is creating an image for an individual which is important for entertainers and everyday people. What I think sets me apart from other wardrobe stylist is the fact I totally take my clients personality into play when I’m dressing them. For me it’s not about oh here is a great piece wear this….it’s about knowing your client and enhancing their style to a new level…..that’s what getting RYANIZED is all about!!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
To me, success is whatever you see it as that’s how I define it! One can say making a certain amount of money is success. One can say obtaining a dream job is success. Someone can say gaining your dream client is success. One can say just obtaining your first client is success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ryanchristopherstylist.com
- Email: ryanchristopher08@gmail.com
- Instagram: @ryanisstyle
- Facebook: RyanChristopher
- Twitter: @Ryan_IsStyle
Image Credit:
Plastiq Magazine (for the magazine covers); Nathan Pearcy Photography (Magazine Covers, Elise Neal, Ronnie Devoe picture); Adrian Thomas Photography (Tabius Tate picture); Eric Dejuan Photography (head shot of myself…which is the one with black hat and dreads down); Algee Smith; Also the picture with Elise Neal, Sammie, Jade Novah, & Tami Roman are all shot by Nathan Pearcy Photography and that graphic was done by him as well.
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
