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Meet Maddy Havican

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maddy Havican.

Maddy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I lived in Wisconsin, I worked a multitude of jobs from a freelance photographer to visual merchandiser and even a barista. After attending college for a short time and immersing myself in fashion online, I found out what a stylist was. Once I read into fashion styling I felt like I truly knew what my career should be. I had a surge of pure joy. I knew the answer to the pressure-filled question everyone asks an 18 years old. What do you want to be? I confidently knew, without hesitation that I wanted to be a fashion stylist. I have always believed that knowledge is power. In order to be the best stylist I could I knew I needed training.

In 2015 I decided to attend the School of Style in West Hollywood. After receiving my certification, I returned home to Wisconsin to work on my nest egg and save to move to LA.

In 2018 a close family friend offered to open their home to me in Scottsdale so I researched and found some promise for the fashion community here and moved across the country. The first job I got was assisting the extremely talented wardrobe stylist Mante Koliakinaite. I reached out offering to assist her for The Agency Arizona with the exceptional photographer Orlando Pelagio. This day changed my entire life. Mante not only gave me a chance but she let me take the reigns as the key stylist for a shoot she had two days later. In our industry, this is unheard of to offer this kind of opportunity. She saw promise in me and for that I am beyond grateful. I have the pleasure of working with Orlando on a regular basis and The Agency Arizona as well. This work got me in the door to meet many beautiful talent in Arizona and continue networking in this great state.

Today I am working as a key stylist in my own right with a colorful portfolio under my belt and two certifications. Having the respect and support of the peers in my industry pushes me to be the best version of myself I can be. Arizona has some serious talent and I am honored to be considered a part of the growth happening here everyday.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
By no means has it been a smooth road. I have struggled with knowing when to say no to opportunities that weren’t beneficial, dealing with the lack of paid jobs in the industry here and the drama that surrounds all of us.

It’s ok to say no. I know that now and I say it when necessary. Not to be mean but to make my choices with purpose.

As long as I’m working anywhere besides LA or NY people will ask me to do free work more than paid. I enjoy a collaboration that is beneficial as much as the next person but this is my job. I am a fashion stylist for a living. If you were getting your plumbing fixed you wouldn’t ask if they’d do it for free. That just sounds insane right? Anyone that knows me knows I put my heart and soul into my work. I am not only a stylist but a creative director as well. What I do is a job not a hobby and many out here don’t view it that way. I will always partake in collabs but I strongly believe we all need to work on changing how art is viewed here to get the respect it deserves.

Drama finds us all. In the fashion industry it can be consuming. I value good vibes. I don’t care if that makes me sound like a hippy, it’s just good for my soul and mental health. People will always talk about you so you might as well go on doing whatever you want. I believe in a set of good morals and values and that’s what I try to live by everyday.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My company is me, myself and I. I work as a fashion stylist as well as a creative director. I have the pleasure of curating looks for clientele in order to make them look and feel amazing. As a creative director, I see / create the whole vision (HUMA/fashion/location/vibe) and execute it thoroughly in collaboration with a team. I got into fashion to create art, I am always first and foremost an artist. When I get to truly create something beautiful, I feel very proud of my work because I really am doing what I was put here for.

What I believe sets me apart is that I’m known for being a chameleon. I adapt to whatever my client needs. A stylist doesn’t impose their personal style on a client, the stylist curates a style based on the client and their needs. Time and time again I have been commended on that and I take that as a huge compliment. Means I’m doing my job right!

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My childhood is filled with incredible memories! I am very lucky to have a loving and supportive family in my life.

Christmas mornings with all three of them are the best days of my life. That’s why it’s my favorite holiday! The three of us, my parents and older brother eat snacks, drink mocho-cocoa (hot chocolate & coffee mixture) and open gifts on the floor under the tree with Christmas music playing in the background.

It’s my peace, my serenity and my happy place. Love is all we need.

Contact Info:

  • Email: maddyhavican@gmail.com
  • Instagram: @maddyhavicanstyle

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