Meet Chandra Dyani Chavez | Styling and Costume Design

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chandra Dyani Chavez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chandra Dyani, why did you pursue a creative career?
I decided to pursue a creative career because I saw a job in the arts as the best way to challenge the status quo.

My mother was a bohemian, an artist, a hippie. I grew up moving around a lot, exploring many different lifestyles. We lived in a teepee, on a farm, in a Buddhist Monestary, a commune, and eventually in a condo in the suburbs. Ending up in highschool in Dana Point, a conservative suburban town in Southern California, I felt like a complete outsider. To channel that feeling, I started dressing the part, dying my hair crazy colors, dressing in outlandish clashing patterned vintage clothing, putting stickers and glitter on my face – It was a kind of rebellion that was therapeutic and healthy. And although I studied Theater in college, it turns out what I wore to those classes became my greatest art form.

Eventually, and accidentally, I fell into styling others, which I loved and continue to be passionate about. I didn’t intend to go into fashion, and I really don’t relate to the term. I do believe in self expression. I believe it’s authenticity , not trending, that makes styling and costumes an art.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I see my work as being a good listener and story teller. When I work with a client my first job is to understand who they are, or what story they want to tell through their clothing, or their character’s clothing. I know I’m successful when the true expression of that person comes through in what way they wear, and they feel comfortable and honest in it.

More than anything I consider myself lucky, someone who sees the open doors and walks through. I got my degree in theater, and imagined I’d be an actor and playwright. However, after I finished school and moved to Los Angeles, I befriended the owner of a vintage clothing store that used to be located in Silverlake called “Hung on You” where I would regularly hang out. One of his customers was a known fashion stylist, and I thought styling would be a fun “part time” job- ha! So, I asked this lady if she needed an assistant. She said “Be at my house tomorrow at 7 AM and I’ll see if I like you.” I ended up working for her for free for 3 months, before meeting Linda, my mentor.

The first few years of my job as an assistant were both thrilling and challenging. I had never been so happy at work, creating, and collaborating, but also I’d never worked so hard. At one point I worked 30 days without a day off. It sounds insane to me today, that kind of drive, but I was young and so grateful to have found a calling.

There have been many challenging moments in my career, because I always want to push myself. I’ve transitioned several times, from doing red carpet (as an assistant primarily), to music (my first love), to commercials, to film. Most recently, there has been a huge upheaval in the film industry, due to many factors, including a couple strikes, and subsequent scaling back because the streaming profit model wasn’t working. So, I’ve been going back to my roots, and doing a lot of styling for music, commercials and indie film projects. This transition has been particularly challenging, as I was heavy into film when the strikes hit and had to quickly rebuild my client base. But, little by little, I’ve re-established myself, and now I’m actually doing some of my best work.

I still see my job as pushing back against the status quo, but in a more subtle way, moreso by adhering to honesty. I’m not out there to put someone in something just because it’s trendy, or even edgy, but because it’s true to them. I’ve had the privilege of working with iconic artists from many different counter cultures, and I’ve always taken that as a huge responsibility. These people have pushed boundaries with their music and art, and it’s my job express that in their clothing, without it looking cliche, overstated, or inauthentic. I also love working with folks that maybe aren’t known, but feel themselves a bit of an outsider, be it in the way they are shaped, their gender identity, or simply their attitude towards life. I love getting to know their story, what they want to express to the world. It’s a big privilege to be able to get weird with some weirdos!

Being a freelance creative isn’t for the weak of heart, but I can’t imagine doing any other job. After 10+ years, I still get a buzz after wrapping a fun commercial, designing a successful tour, or finishing a rewarding film. What sets me apart, I think, is that though I take my work seriously, I do not take myself seriously. There is already so much pressure and ego in my line of work, and folks can get real mean if they absorb it. I realize it’s a gift to wake up and get paid to be creative, but that I’m not out performing open heart surgery and no one will die if something doesn’t go as planned. In fact, some of my best work has come from that. My philosophy is that there’s no mistakes in art.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Monday: Coffee/ pastry at Stories Books and Cafes, Walk to Echo Park Lake, Watch Ducks Geese and people.
Tuesday: LACMA, eat Dinner at Palermo’s in Los Feliz
Weds: Point Dume Beach, Eat lunch at Neptune’s Net
Thursday: Descanso Gardens, small bites in park
Friday: Huntington Gardens, pack a picnic from Bristol Farms
Sat-Sunday trip to Joshua Tree, Eat at Pappy and Harriets, catch a show. Does Joshua Tree count as in the city ?!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Throughout my career I’ve been blessed with wonderful mentors & family who have been an inspiration, and who have believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. Linda Medvene, whom I assisted full time for 5+ years has turned from boss to mentor to dear friend. Wendy Chuck whom I Assistant Costume Designed for on three Features taught me the ropes of professional level costume design, and also showed me how to lead teams with grace, kindness and vision. Carrie Grace is a dear friend and talented costume designer who has always advocated for me, and made me believe in myself even through times of doubt. My Tia Ana and Uncle Chris (who passed last year) supported me in all ways through the start of my career, and have been there through it all, highs and lows. Lastly, but definitely not least, watching my 8 year old son Jude discover joy in creating his own unique sense of style inspires me daily.

Website: https://www.chandradyani.com

Instagram: @chandradyani

Image Credits
Iggy Pop and the Stooges photo’d by David Raccuglia, Billy Idol for L’offieciel by Mike Ruiz