Meet Kim Brooks | Wardrobe Stylist, Creative, Artist

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

Hi Kim, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I was very into fashion and style from an early age but life happened and it got away from me. I ended up in a financial role and when the lending crash happened in 2008, I did a re-eval of my day to day and wondered what the heck I was doing in a role that despite success, I had no interest in doing. A long hard look at myself, I went back to what made me happy. I started assisting friends with their wardrobes and things took off from there. I was where I was supposed to be.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am creatively inspired but literally everything and those around me would tell you that I can’t stop taking pictures. I see beauty in the most mundane items from something broken on the side of the street to nature to sitting on a park bench and watching the world walk by. There is so much to take in, all the time. While I do have some formal training in the creative realm, I would say 90% of my talent is strictly an intuitive process. I trust my gut and go with my instinct. Every time I listen to that little voice in the back of my head, it is always right. A lesson in my career would be to give that voice a microphone!

Where I am today has not been easy and there is always someone doing better than you or a naysayer making you doubt yourself. And imposter syndrome is real. Despite that though, hear and except the compliments and praise and remember those instead. And just keep going, have faith in your path.

My story is one where a little girl was fascinated with all things visual. Color, Beauty. And despite many years away, she found her way back to this and is still equally enamored. Follow your heart.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As I type this, we are in the midst of summer and Seattle is nothing but beautiful this time of year. You will find me spending time by or in the water (West Seattle or Lake Washington) as often as possible. As for favorite places to eat or hang out; Sunday markets in Ballard or Fremont. Dinner or drinks in Georgetown (Ciudad, Fonda La Catrina, Electric Cello) and I have most recently discovered Burien which I love.

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?
There are so many people I have to thank for giving me an opportunity when all I had to show was my interest, willingness and an eye for what looked good. My friends who “hired me”for closet consults and whose word of mouth brought me to new people. To my friend and client, Michelle Czech who brought me back to the financial circle, as I should have been, as a style consultant and speaker. To my friend and fellow creative, Mcklyn Cole Valenciano and the team at SMG Model Management, who gave me my first stab at styling for photo shoots. It all started here and I am so thankful for those who gave me a step to stand on.

Website: www.kimbrooksstyle.com

Instagram: KimBrooksStyle

Linkedin: Kim Brooks

Other: Pinterest: @kimbrooksstyle

Image Credits
Photos of me: Photographer: Natalie Wallace Model in Silver Dress Photo: Photog: Jana Early, MUAH: Shannon Rasheed, Model: Jess Hamilton Catalog Cover: Models: David Aidoo, Mayumi; Photog: Rob Schantz; MUAH: Ryan James Conover Other Three Photos: Emily Hall (caucasian girl in all black) Photog: Andrew Parsons, MUAH: Melissa Korn Beauty Editorial: Same Team with India Gants (model) Final Editorial: Same team with Jada Smith (model). Call me with questions!