A Columbia College part-time instructor and founder of Rachel J Styling organized the first educational panel of its kind for Chicago Fashion Week, which started Oct. 9 and concludes this weekend.
The Stylist Symposium, held on Thursday, Oct. 17 at the historic Pendry Chicago in the Loop, gave students, graduates and fashion enthusiasts a chance to network and learn more about styling in the fashion industry.
The event was the brainchild of Rachel Jimenez Penca, a part-time instructor of fashion styling at Columbia and founder of Rachel J Styling, which does wardrobe styling, personal shopping and consulting.
Penca said she wanted to organize this event specifically for stylists. “We often get overlooked, and we are behind the scenes putting the looks together, creating an image for the brand, creating a persona for that,” she said.
This event was for anyone at any point in their career. “I think we can all learn from each other at any level,” Penca said.
Before the panel started, panelists and attendees were roaming the event space, talking and networking to one another. To match the splendor of the event, servers in vests and bowties were serving sparkling wine and hors d’oeuvres.
Penca organized the event and led the panel with four other panelists: Theresa De Maria, senior fashion editor and stylist at JWC Media; Nasreen Hussain, creative director and stylist of Humans of High Fashion; Sal Sallie, a Columbia alum and the lead stylist and founder of The Look Authority; and Tali Kogan, a personal stylist, coach and founder of MALKARI.
According to Penca, not only was this her first panel discussion “of this nature,” but it was also the first educational panel on the CFW calendar.
During the symposium, the panelists covered their histories and processes in styling, working with brands and stores, personal styling versus commercial styling and general tips for those sitting in the audience.
Sallie said she “would like to shine a light on being a Black woman in fashion, especially in Chicago. Being a woman is its own challenge and being Black is another barrier to entry.”
“As a black woman, own who you are. This industry is what it is, be who you are. I’m going to show up with my hair this way, with my glasses on, with my gauges. I’m going to rock out and I’m going to get the job done, and it’s going to be good.” Sallie said.
Sallie also offered further advice to the general audience.
“Be overly prepared because you have to be. Be yourself, be respectful, but don’t be afraid to stand your ground. Have your boundaries and make sure that the client is respecting you,” she said.
Penca said that the theme of the event is about connection and collaboration.
“I think it’s more about supporting one another and building a community where we all feel like we are lifting each other up and shining a bright light on each other’s work,” she said.
Penca also plans on holding the same event next year and launching it in two markets — San Diego and Miami.
Tiara Burton, a senior product development major, said they found out about the event through someone at a career fair.
“I’m really passionate about styling and wanted to get my foot into the door,” Burton said. “I wanted to use it as an opportunity not only to network, but also just meet people and even write notes about and listen to the panelists today.”
Despite Penca not teaching classes this semester, she started the panel as she would with any of her classes — with a “fit check.”
Attendees were dressed in all types of attire, from edgy studded leather jackets to ornately detailed dresses and tops.
Emma Lyons, a Chicago-based artist, said it was affirming to know that as a creative and entrepreneur that “the sky is the limit,” and “as a creative person, you really can do so many things because the world is your oyster.”
She said she also felt “so encouraged and empowered,” being surrounded by a room of powerful women and stylists.
With the theme of connection and collaboration, the panelists encouraged the audience members to stay true to who they are and be persistent.
“You must have faith in yourself and remain consistent. The journey won’t always be easy,” said Hussain. “However, if you stay motivated and persevere, you can achieve anything.”
Additional reporting by Araceli Ramirez
Copy edited by Trinity Balboa
