Meet Semarah Lafi

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

Hi Semarah, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Over time, I found that boundaries on work-life balance are super important. If you are constantly working 12 hours every day, working to live, you will be unhappy and find your job miserable. There was a point in my career where I felt miserable. I took months off from working and decided to change my mindset. It was the best decision I have ever made in my career. I became more creative and enjoy work more than I did before!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started my career right out of high school. I grew up in New Jersey and had the city right at my fingertips where I worked with some of the most incredible stylists who taught me so much about the industry. At the age of 16, I got to work under the mentorship of Zana Rassi, where I styled two looks for Adidas; at that moment I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. The journey to get where I am today was not easy, and it made me learn that some things in the industry need to change and I want to become the one who changes it for the better. How I overcame challenges and still use this motto till this day if a job seems stressful, is that I remind myself I am not a doctor and at the end of the day these are clothes. My goal as a stylist isn’t to dress people in head-to-toe designer but to make them feel confident in their own skin.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would love to take them to Urth Caffe and John & Vinny’s those are my two fave restaurants to go with friends and have a good time. For sightseeing, I love being a tourist in the places you live so I would make a day trip to Disney, and spend another day going to a Dodgers game or even making the trip to San Diego to see the Padres. The most important part of the week’s trip would finding a good playlist to listen to while stuck in traffic.

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?
My mom & dad, I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. They are my biggest supporters and I’m truly grateful that I get to share my success with them!

Website: www.semarahlafi.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semarahgabrielle/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@semarahgabrielle

Other: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/semarah-gabrielle2