Meet Britton Litow | Fashion Stylist + Creative Consultant

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

Hi Britton, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
I think there’s this feeling deep down that keeps me going. Something telling me that one day I will feel that sense of accomplishment and that ‘I made it’ feeling for myself. And I think that difference is really important. Someone from the outside might look at you and think ‘wow ya they are killing it’, but until I can get that sense from myself of myself I think that strives me forward. At least for me. It is a slippery slope however, as I know I tend to me my own harshest critic. I think a lot of us do. And let me tell you my standards for myself are HIGH. So I think it still is extremely important to take a second and appreciate every mile stone, listen to the outside praise, and really just appreciate how far I’ve come and that I’m even able to do what I love for a living. But after that I get this feeling like ‘ok now the next thing’. So ya for me there’s this feeling or voice that knows I can be in this industry at the success level that feels adequate enough for it (the voice), and that is what keeps me going. Now sometimes that voice is quiet, I mean real quiet and doubt comes in. But that’s when it’s important to take a look at what I’ve been able to do and appreciate and have gratitude (however cheesy that sounds it’s true) and kinda just trust the process. And eventually that voice/feeling gets more prominent and I get the momentum to go forward and upwards.

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 a fashion stylist and creative consultant based in Los Angeles. I started my career in styling like many others as an intern and assistant. I started in New York and then when I move back home to Los Angeles I continued. I was interning/ assisting for YEARS. I had this joke with my friends that I was a professional intern, because while a lot of my other friends were starting to get their first career focused jobs in different industries, I low and behold was still interning. That’s the thing with this industry is there isn’t a fully straight forward path on how to get ‘there’. Like in other careers, “ok you want to be a lawyer or a doctor, you start here and follow these steps”. Not comparing my work with doctors or lawyers by any means or saying it isn’t hard, I know it is, I don’t think I could do it. I’m just saying the path on how to become one is laid out while to become a stylist it’s much more fuzzy and there’s a lot more guessing. But anyways, I really started my career as a stylist at Flaunt Magazine. I was an Assitant Fashion Editor there and they had asked me if I wanted to style some online shoots on the weekends. I loved it and knew I wanted to focus on that full time. So I left the magazine to become a stylist with no real game plan, just sort of this drive and feeling that this is what I wanted to be doing. I’m a really hard worker, I get that from my parents and my dance background, so I knew whatever my career would be I would work really hard whether I enjoyed it or not. So I figured I better find something I loved so I could at least enjoy myself while doing it. It certainly was not easy to start, and to be honest I still kinda don’t really know how I got to this point. I think in the beginning I just took any and every opportunity that came my way to make connections, to build my book, and mostly for experience and confidence. Late night music videos, yep, random commercials for allergy medications and vibrators, yep and yep; You name it I did it. Now I can be a bit more selective with jobs that come my way, but I also know there’s never a job I am ‘too good for’. Now I am trying to find work that allows me to show my style of work while still making the client happy. Things that allow me to tell my artistry story, while still getting a pay check. That’s sort of my next challenge and focus.
I love mixing things that would not normally go together but when you put them together it works and creates a whole new narrative. For example: a long dress with chunky boots, baggy jeans with ballet flats, or even a location/background that has one aesthetic and then putting the model in a completely different style of clothing. For example I have a shoot coming out that I did with photographer Andi Elloway. We shot it at this dinosaur exhibition, and for one of the shots I put the talent in a full Thom Browne look. The juxtaposition of the dinos in the back with a suit to me is just so interesting. I can’t wait for it to come out!

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.
Ok well for food I always love seeing what’s new. Los Angeles food scene is really having a moment and I love trying new places. Plus when someone comes to town that’s actually when I have time (or make the time) to go out and try things. But someone of my go to’s are: -Manuela
-Damian
-Salazar
-Yangban Society
-Maru Coffee
-Leo’s Tacos
-Mariscos Jalisco
-Cosa Buona
-Cobi’s
-Lily’s Malibu
If they’ve never been to LA before I would take them to Erewhon because what’s more LA than Erewhon. Plus it’s delicious!

I would also check out local galleries and ask my friends who are more in the know with that to see any new shows. I would take a drive down PCH and play music. Cause we all know music sounds better while driving down PCH. And of course shopping! While brick and mortar stores are always a hit or miss when it comes to finding things if you’re really looking for something. I still love the store experience, even if you’re just looking.
-Dover Street Market
-Terminal 27
-Desperate
-H.Lorenzo
-LCD
-Departmento

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes! Absolutely. I owe a lot of people shoutouts honestly. But one person in particular is Mui-Hai Chu. She is the Style Director at Flaunt Magazine and most importantly one of my best friends and mentors. I was her assistant at Flaunt at one point in time and I just learned so much from her and that experience. And now she is a huge supporter of my styling career and if I ever have a question, need to bounce ideas off of, or figure out how to handle a situation she’s my go to. Because of her I was able to connect to others in the industry who also deserve shoutouts; Andi Elloway, Shane McCauley, Lilly Bircher, Bj Panda, just so many!! Thanks guys : )

Website: brittonlitow.com

Instagram: wanna__b

Image Credits
Angella Choe, Hadriel Gonzalez, Julian Burgueno, Kate Biel, Mynxii White, Max Montgomery, Cara Friedman