Meet Clinae “cici The Stylist” Campbell | Wardrobe Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Clinae “cici The Stylist” Campbell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Clinae “CiCi the Stylist”, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wanted to have something to call my own and to prove it myself that anything is possible when you put forth the effort.Trust me, the effort did not just show up, I procrastinated in so may ways. Since college, I’ve wanted to have my own business, but I wasn’t fully equipped with the mindset to actually make it happen. Many excuses included, “I don’t have enough money” or “People already have those types of businesses” or, might I add the most popular one was “who is really gonna support me”. Afterwhile, I stopped following the imaginary timeline I put on myself, and started at step one.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
There can only be one CiCi the Stylistt. I know so many other wardrobe stylist that are at an elite level, but I will forever be different because I only know how to be me, unapologetically. I am sure that some of my goals and objectives may align with other artist, but delivery will never align. That is the joy of staying true to one authentic self. God gave me my own tools to use, therefore, Im going to forever stick beside myself in all of it uniqueness.

My artistry is making others feel good about themselves, inside and out, my bubbly personality, how I ask 50 questions with innocence and no shame, my ability to create in real time, my passion and charisma, and my love for my craft. I think that about sums it up.

The thing that makes me most proud about my self, is continuing to show up, even when no one is watching or paying. In this line of work, it proves to be very inconsistent, so I have to find ways to create. I began to use my children, or husband, or I will simply browse online stores or fashion platforms on social media just to feed the flame and stay in those creative spaces. Not to say that I don’t get tired or worn out, we all do at some point, but styling others has always put a smile on my face despite how I feel.

While I am constantly learning and growing, I’d say that the road has not been easy, but I am still standing. I relocated here from Chicago, in June of 2021 and thats when I decided that I wanted to do styling as business for real. I also tapped into some other creative areas such as modeling and creative directing on photoshoots, and private projects. Exploring helped me to gain knowledge about the industry and I can’t say I would learned it from back home. My environment didn’t allow me into those type of creative spaces. I have overcome challenges and I am still overcoming challenges, but I will keep on keeping on as my granny use to say.
Lessons.I have learned:
1. Timelines are trash: It is ok to set goals for yourself, but I often got carried away with thinking my success was defined by age. Silly me!
2. If something doesn’t work out, it is ok to try again. Like be for real, how can trying again ever be a negative. Wayne Gretzky said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”.
3.Write your own story, do it your way, dedicate time to your craft. Don’t chase the bag, chase the passion.

I want to world to know that I was just a girl from the West Side of Chicago who wanted to be different and explore what life could offer. I did not have a plan, I just put one foot in front of the next and continued to move. Much pain and hiccups along the way, but I still choose to be optimistic about my future. I want my children to fight for passion in the face of adversity and for them to know that without a shadow of a doubt their mom tried when all odds were against her.

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.
Ha! I have a couple of BFF’s, but if they came to visit for a week, I’d probably spend the first two days trying to take a nap, Ma’am, please get your nephew and let me sleep, PLEASE, LOL.

We’d definitely go to the Santa Monica Pier, that view of the Ocean on the Ferris Wheel is breathtaking every time.
Then we’d take a stroll on the PCH and head over to Sancho’s Tacos and walk the Huntington Beach Strip. Make a Reservations at Nobu, Somerville and a place I recently tried for my birthday called BOA.
LACMA for Jazz Fridays, possibly see a movie at Folk and Film.
Visit the new Nipsey Hussle restaurant called “Marathon” (I have visited yet).
Go to church at Deeper Church Los Angeles.
Visit the COSM for a game, the Balloon Museum and the find some new things together.
Maybe, just maybe we could visit Catalina via the Ferry Boat.
OHHH! Defitinley Disneyland, and we’d get matching Mickey Ears.
I never meet a stranger, I love meeting new people and asking 50 questions 🙂

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?
Wow, this could be hard to answer!! Of course I have my husband who makes it possible for me to explore my gifts and talents, my mother and several others that have spoken into my life and encouraged me to soar. My mom use to get dressed to go out and it was one of my favorite pastimes. The best part was when she put on her heels and lipstick for the finishing touches, as she looked in the mirror for a last look. Sista Girl still fly to this day! However, one person, that goes back 20 plus years, that I MUST shout out is, Theresa Michelle Blackman Henderson. Yes, I had to mention her full name, LOL! I still reference her by her full name when she irritates me to this day. She purchased my first sewing machine back in college when I said I wanted to be a fashion designer. She believed in me before I fully believed in myself. I made a few pieces and did a few projects, but overtime the sowing made me realize that I just wanted to style and coordinate looks. She is one of my long standing clients and friend, and I love her for always believing in my eye for style and me.

Ultimately, my community of friends and family who have supported my journey is the reason why I continue to push through and stay dedicated to the process. There are several moments when I want to just say that maybe this route is not meant for me, but if I quit, I’ll never know whats on the road ahead.

Website: www,cicithestylistt.com

Instagram: cicithestylistt

Other: TikTok: CiCitheStylistt

Image Credits
Evette Campbell, Kreative Vision Photography, Instagram: kreativevisionphotography
Darrius Carter, Instagram: dariusl.carter
Chan C. Smith, Instagram: chancsmith_
Kyler, Instagram: bykydaguy