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

Hi Cat, how do you think about risk?
There wouldn’t be all of these old, wise sayings about risk and reward if it wasn’t true right? I’ve found that some of the risks I’ve taken, especially those that didn’t really come with much of a cushion for failure, have honestly led to some life-changing moments. The biggest jump I’ve made, is when I decided to quit law school and move to LA to pursue fashion. I didn’t have a job, an internship or really even a clue as to what I was going to do when I got here, just a gut feeling that I should make the move. Once I decided, and it really was overnight, my mind was made up. It took about a year after getting to LA to even figure out what I WANTED to do and then the real hustle began… interning and assisting other stylists (ie. schlepping and organizing clothes day-after-day) before landing a job at E!

As a freelancer, even turning down a job can feel like a risk because there’s always the feeling that the work might run out or the client won’t ever use you again if you’re unavailable. I’ve found that saying “no” if I already have something planned, or the rate is too low or it falls the day before another very big job… really only opens the doors for projects that are more aligned with what I want to do. It all sort of comes down to knowing your worth and the Law of Attraction.

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.
What I love about the entertainment industry is that are so many different paths you can take and one project, or one person, can open a room full of doors you didn’t even know existed. Be nice to everyone!! I worked with one PA on a tv show several years ago who gave my name to a producer he worked with that was looking for a stylist. She ended up calling me and hiring me for several shoots for different clients. Then on those shoots I met photographers, makeup artists, models, etc that gave my name to someone. Almost all of my projects today can be linked back to jobs I did years ago where I made very little (or no) money.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am absolutely obsessed with Santa Monica/Venice….really anywhere on the westside of LA (I honestly only cross the 405 for work and live music). I would tell them to stay at Shutters in Santa Monica with a one-off night at the Surfrider in Malibu. On the list of must-see/must-do would be: an afternoon drive through Malibu Canyon, a concert at the Fonda, Friday night dinner at Chez Jay followed by a night out at Shorebar (my absolute favorite), Saturday drinks at The Waterfront Venice, Sunday oysters and lobster rolls at Blue Plate Oysterette, dinner at The Dudley Market in Venice, shopping on Abbott Kinney but also hitting some other favorite stores: Inland Venice, Deus ex Machina and AllSaints at Santa Monica Place. And if it’s in the summer, we’re doing a screening at Hollywood Forever…hopefully it’s a horror film!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to say that I owe a lot to Denise Borrego who I worked with at E! for about 8 years. She is the stylist that hired me as an intern and sort of paved the way for me to work my way up in the E! News wardrobe department. Denise also took a huge chance when she had me cover her position, dressing the host of the show, when she was on maternity leave. I’ll never forget being on YouTube the night before my first day, freaking out while I brushed up on how to tie a tie. It was a huge opportunity for me. And although I left the show years ago to freelance, working at E! gave me so many great career highlights and memories from multiple award season red carpets to a trip to Vegas for the Billboard Awards and eventually getting into the union which opens so many other doors and isn’t always easy to do.

Website: www.catwrightstyle.com

Instagram: catwrightstyle

Twitter: catwrightstyle

Image Credits
Cat Wright photo: Allen Zaki Photography Sarah Michelle Gellar photo: Menelik Puryear

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