Meet Franzy Staedter | Stylist & Costume Designer

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

Hi Franzy, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
To be really honest, I think this year definitely made me realize how important balance truly is, because I didn’t really have a lot of it before. In greater metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and New York City, a fast pace and short reaction time is demanded in a professional and even personal setting. That can easily become all-consuming and you don’t realize how exhausting it can be until you slow down, which I feel I experienced this year especially. I realized that when I slowed down, I focused on what really matters, I had then more energy to pour into my business which positively reflected on my work and my clients. Self-care and making time for friends and family is what’s essential, and that is what will contribute greatly to creating and maintaining a successful business at the same time.

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.
From an early age, I started developing a strong interest in fashion. Eventually, I decided to start a formal career as a stylist and image consultant. I got to where I am professionally today because I took risks and got out of my comfort zone a lot. I find that the comfort zone can be a total trap; it’s where people get stuck a lot of the time. It wasn’t always easy, difficult decisions arrive often and I’ve learned to try and stay in a relaxed frame of mind about them. For example, this year I was faced with a challenge on how to keep my business expanding during this time. I had to step out of the comfort zone of doing what I usually do, think outside of the box to branch out and create new styling opportunities. I figured out how to implement and expand my virtual styling and keep existing clients happy with the transition. I think professional success comes from building a network of people that have a similar mindset when it comes to business. Of course that’s not always easy, because along the way you’ll meet people that don’t agree with you and you have to be willing to part ways with them even if they offer opportunity. That being said, in my field we rely on a team of people to get the job done, with the right team it is amazing to see the result. For example, one of my clients on the red carpet, I don’t just see them looking good, I see the hard work, dedication, and persistence that everyone puts in.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If someone were going to visit, I’d love to give them a culinary experience along the coast; with all the beautiful landscapes California is known for. I would start us off in Malibu, where we’d get lunch at the amazing Malibu Seafood, which is a small family-owned restaurant that has fresh fish and casual outdoor seating. From there, I’d drive up the scenic coastline of PCH to Ventura Harbor and take a break there and visit my favorite hat shop, located in the center of the harbor. I would then take a mini detour into the inlands to visit Ojai, where there’s an amazing farm-to-table restaurant called The Nest. We would explore all that downtown Ojai has to offer and enjoy the stunning views over the valley and the coast. The next day, we’d continue up to Paso Robles for wine tastings and then dining at Thomas Hill. Then, making our way up the coast to Big Sur where a stop at Big Sur Bakery is a must, and spend the night at the Post Ranch Inn. With ending the trip in Napa, enjoying wineries and good restaurants, such as French Laundry, and of course enjoying a Russian River Pinot Noir – which is my favorite. Pro Tip: maximize the trip by dropping off the rental car and taking a plane back to LA.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
At the beginning of my styling career, I had tremendous support coming from friends and family which I am forever grateful for, and people trusting me with their fashion when I didn’t have a whole lot of experience. A huge support was Kimberly Goodnight from Media Play PR (IG @mediaplaypr) in Downtown Los Angeles. As a fashion and brand publicist, she contributed greatly in connecting me with brands and making my projects successful. Hers was the first showroom I ever pulled from, and from then on out we became friends and have been close over the last 8 years. There are also numerous photographers and producers that I have a lot of gratitude for. Karen Lavender from Live Tribe Productions (IG @livetribe.tv), kickstarted my career into the commercial world. With social media becoming an important tool to expand your business, I was lucky to meet Lauren Hart (IG @sunfolk) who stepped in to help curate, organize and grow my social media platforms.

Website: www.franzystaedter.com
Instagram: styledbyfranzy

Image Credits
Featured Image photographer Alan Jaye @alanjayephoto