Meet Kimmy Erin Kertes: Stylist, Shopper, Pretty Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimmy Erin Kertes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimmy Erin, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
This is deeply personal, as it took years of therapy for other reasons to recognize that a fundamental reason I loved and was good at my job was a borderline unhealthy desire to make other people happy. Whether it’s the myriad of people on a giant, national project or that successful woman who just doesn’t have the time or headspace for fashion, all I want to do was make my love for shopping, “the hunt,” my color memory, drive and passion be useful to someone else.

But until that “ah-ha” moment in therapy, my people-pleasing was debilitating. I was miserable when someone wasn’t thrilled or when I didn’t or couldn’t predict their whims and fancies. It was endlessly frustrating and I took it as a personal failure to ever tell a client, “no, I don’t have a leopard coat with more yellow in it” How could I feel anything but upset with myself after spending the few hours given to complete the shop and accumulating 10 that I found in the middle of summer that worked in the budget’s needs! I had stressed so hard for those 10 coats! And then they weren’t enough!? I wasn’t enough?!

But they were. And I learned that those whims were not about me, they were about other people. In the moment, the client realized they wanted more yellow, and that was something the photographer was able to accommodate into an overall feeling of the look. To be successful, I had to realize the difference between other people’s thought process and their happiness. It wasn’t that I failed; It was that I helped them realize what they didn’t want which can be just as valuable! They couldn’t communicate or even know the small things that would make the difference at the beginning of the project until they saw it. But by the end, we could all collaborate on a way to make incredible branded art that would hopefully speak to the world! To continue, I had to stop taking these things personally or see them as a reflection of my capability. Even though I do feel I am in service to my clients, I no longer feel responsible for their happiness. I just concentrate on being present, positive and collaborative. My work makes ME so happy now, no matter how stressful it can be. I couldn’t be luckier.

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.
By nature, I’m a hunter and a gatherer and that constantly excites me as a stylist. I can and will shop for 14 hours straight (hello holiday shopping hours in November, I see and love you!). It’s the one constant from gig to gig, no matter how big or small or industry! It’s rarely easy, and if you think it will be you will be very wrong. Every gig has its challenge(s), but collaboration, attitude, a sense of humor, decent therapist and a great support team get you through it successfully!

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.
I love to adventure out in Los Angeles and its surrounding counties! You could spend a lifetime here without seeing everything! Lately, LA has been a little depressing with the immense homeless population, so I would first make sure to buy a few cartons of easy-to chew organic Clif Bars to hand out to people as we toured the city. If my friend is a shopper, of course we would hit Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. Though it has downsized in recent years and the pandemic hit it hard, a stop on Robertson is essential. Lunch at The Ivy is fantastic and I adore Curve, and up the street on Melrose, I adore Gracias Madre and Verve and the adjoining boutiques. I live for Kreation when I’m working and spread the joy of their amazing concoctions whenever I can. I love vintage shopping on La Brea at American Rag, The Way We Wore and newer stores like The Trading Post and Tsubi. I adore The Rose Bowl Flea every second Sunday and Long Beach Flea every third Sunday – the treasures are endless! At night, I hit up Hollywood and love the vibe at The Hotel Cafe and dinner at Mama Shelter before or The Improv and late dinner on Fairfax at Canter’s or Terroni on Beverly Blvd. And I also love to cook so entertaining in my backyard with a thoughtful, organically sourced meal with herbs and citrus grown in our garden is a treat!

If my friend is an adventurer, I’d grab coffee in Old Town Pasadena at Intelligentsia and take them up to Switzer Falls off Angeles Crest for an incredible hike. I also adore hikes in Malibu – I’m always hopeful to get to see a mountain lion! One day! I’d take them to Carbon Beach after and up to The Malibu Country Mart to hang. Casual dinner at Taverna Tony’s is always a blast. I’m also into horse back riding, and love hitting the trails in Griffith Park on La Canada- Flintridge. A Dodger game with a stop at Phillipe’s is fun or Kings game in a box (I don’t want to know why Staples Center catering is so good but it is) is also a favorite, depending on the season!

At night, I hit up Hollywood and love the vibe at The Hotel Cafe and dinner at Mama Shelter before or The Improv and late dinner on Fairfax at Canter’s or Terroni on Beverly Blvd.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My best friend, baby daddy, roomie, husband and insane creative force, Erik Kertes. He not only supported the idea of a freelance career at the beginning of our relationship, but he also showed me through his own success as a multi-faceted musician, song writer and producer, that determination, hustle, and investment in joy are keys to success. It also helps that he doesn’t mind loading and unloading cars full of clothes with me at times, too! I’m deeply indebted to him for his support and love! And I do have to give a quick shout out to photographer Jana Cruder, whose dedication, intention and energy is always so aligned with a projects beauty and success. She and her work are constant inspiration.

Website: kimmyerin.com

Instagram: kimmyerin

Twitter: kimmyerin

Image Credits
1: Jana Cruder 2. Solmaz Sabieri 3. Jana Cruder 4. Yoni Goldberg