Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Meshinsky.
Rebecca, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Before I even knew what a Fashion Stylist was, I would help dress my younger brother and my other family members and friends. I loved going through my brothers closet and pairing outfits that gave him a style, once we even put a whole photo shoot together and I took all the photos (this was before I had started working on photo shoots) and we had a ton of fun with that. I loved fashion but I had no idea that being a stylist was a career or that it was what I would want to do with my life. What I did know was that I absolutely loved helping others and wanted to find a way to do so professionally, so, out of high school, I began taking psychology classes and I was hooked. I would sit in my teacher’s office after class picking her brain with my questions trying to understand the human mind. I got into Abnormal Psychology and realized that there was a side to psychology that really turned me away from being a therapist or wanting to work with people in this way. I was crushed because I didn’t know how else I wanted to help others where I wouldn’t take home all the emotions at the end of each day. I took a break from school and really took my time to understand what it was that got me excited about life. I am originally from the Bay Area and had always wanted to spend some of my life living there again, so I decided to tour the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. I take a tour around the fashion building and looked in on the classes taking place and realized that there was a major for Fashion Styling, I immediately knew that is where I wanted to be. I began planning my move and counting down the days until I began school and live in the city of my dreams. The school and program changed my whole life and challenged me in ways that made me tap into a creative side that I didn’t know were so strong.
Three years later with a portfolio and diploma in hand, I moved back to Scottsdale, Arizona to take my time to plan out my next few years and be with family. Since then, I have been working with Phoenix Fashion Week, I have competed in a styling competition with other amazing stylists, I have been working on photo shoots for magazines and got my second print publication, and I have now landed a job where I will be personal styling and have my own clientele. I have learned so much from every situation and have been very fortunate for every person I have had to pleasure of working with. The learning process in this industry never ends and everyone has something new to bring to the table, so I will continue here in Arizona working on my editorial craft and work with my clients on finding a style perfect for them and take every opportunity that comes my way!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There have been many struggles along the way and it has been everything but smooth but I am extremely thankful for all of the challenges that have taken place on my journey. I believe whenever we are put in a tough situation or faced with a new challenge, we are being prepared for a higher placement in life. Your comfort zone will kill you so whenever I can advance from that comfortable place I am happy. I didn’t always feel like this though and I think some advice I would pass on to younger women who are just starting their journey is to be patient with yourself, feel everything, and don’t be afraid to stay true to yourself even when that’s different from those around you. Many people won’t agree with your vision and will try to sway you to do what they think is right but if you are true to yourself and follow your intuition you will end up exactly where you need to be. Be open-minded and respectful but always think for yourself!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a Fashion Stylist specializing in Editorial Styling and Personal Styling. Editorial Styling is where my heart is happiest and I would say that is where I make most of my connections with other artists and what I enjoy working on the most. Although stressful, the outcome leaves you with a high and the freedom to express myself visually is my favorite part about being a stylist. I am proud of the ways I have pushed myself to try any style of the editorial photo shoot that has been presented to me because it has shaped me to be a well-rounded stylist. I have my own personal aesthetic but I love challenging myself to something apart from that. Personal Styling is what really got me to where I am today. As I said earlier, dressing friends and family when I was younger always brought me so much happiness and it feels amazing every time I help a client create a look that shows their personality visually. I will always be a Personal Stylist and Editorial Stylist!
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
I would not say there are certain opportunities women are particularly well positioned for because women can do absolutely whatever we put our minds to. Women are powerful, wise, and humane and I think often times being so compassionate leads others to believe that women can be weak. I think this leaves many women to be closed off and afraid to be transparent and many of us are perceived as “rude” or unapproachable. I for one am guilty of another woman saying to me, “Ohh, I wasn’t sure about you at first but now I know you’re so nice!” and I know I’m not the only one. I’m not perfect but I try to be more mindful about how I present myself to always be my authentic self. I think there are so many opportunities for women when we come together and empower one another, that is something I think women are well positioned for. “Alone, you have power, but together, we have forced.”
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.rebecca-meshinsky.com/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @bm.styles
Image Credit:
Transparency (plastic clothing/pink photos)- Photographer: Anthony Hudson
Model: Mikaela Alice
Clothing Designed by: Susan Zienty
Assisted by: Sydney Koehler
Raw Edge (black & White photos)- Photographer: Salma Hodhod
Makeup by: Flora White
Model: Lana Kohn
Assisted by: Haley McDaniel
Staying in the lines (Checkered floor photos)- Photographer: Akshit Bhardwaj
Makeup by: Haley McDaniel
Model: Andre Pallete
Assisted by: Adriana Oliveira
All styled by Rebecca Meshinsky
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