Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabella Wong.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Isabella. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in a city setting and credit my passion for fashion to my upbringing in a diverse environment.
My company name, Allen & Houston, is a cross street of where I grew up, and where I cultivated the love I have for fashion.
Growing up as a figure skater, my outfits were just as important as my performance on the ice. This introduced me to styling and matching concepts; skills that directly translate to the fashion field.
Society, however, persuaded me that in order to be successful, I would need to get a “proper” degree, and that fashion is not a real profession. I left college after learning more about myself, and chose a more meaningful career over a secure income. Having compassion for, and helping people, gave me a feeling of reward that a college degree could not.
This made it an easy decision for me to become a NY EMT after leaving college. The rewarding experience as an EMT drove me to achieve every goal I challenged myself with. It was an amazing time in my life, but I felt I could do even more.
As I continued to find myself, I realized I have a tremendous passion for fashion, and it was in me ever since I put together my first ice skating competition outfit.
I decided to believe in myself and followed my heart by taking a path in the fashion career.
Experiences I gained throughout the years inspire me to keep learning and working hard so that I can share my passion, creativity, and fashion dream with others.
To further my knowledge in fashion, I decided to get a structured education from the School of Style and receive training from celebrity stylist Amber Renae.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road to success is never a smooth one. As others have in the past, I have encountered many speed bumps along the way, and most were unexpected. The biggest speed bump of them all has always been myself. It’s always difficult to have faith in your abilities, especially when starting, and directly competing against or working with people that have been in the industry for 20+ years. One of the biggest keys to success is believing in yourself – if you don’t, who will?
While I am still learning on how to manage new obstacles, I find that being prepared is also very important – you need to have a solid foundation, never stop learning, and keep overcoming new obstacles that will constantly test you. The phrase “don’t be afraid to fail” motivates me to try ideas that are outside of my comfort zone. Failing is a great learning tool, and the passion I have for this is what gets me back on my feet, to not only reach my goal, but surpass it. Find your passion and let it be the fuel for your journey!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Allen & Houston Styling – what should we know?
I am the founder and creative director of Allen & Houston Styling Co, where we style people for anything from an everyday outfit, to photoshoot events, and even for fashion runways. I am grateful for every client and opportunity that I have come across; regardless of the work, I feel they are all equally important to me, as I find ways to learn from each one. Whether, it’s a back to school outfit or styling a popular client, my approach remains the same – be professional, well mannered, and humble. I live by the phrase “if you like it, wear it”, and strongly believe style does not have a good or bad, right or wrong – the only dress-code is confidence.
For personal styling – I help everyday people gain confidence by finding their ideal look from understand their body shape. For some clients, taking care of their wardrobe alleviates their busy schedule, so they can focus on what they excel at. It can be as convenient as trying clothing at your own home and only purchase what you love.
Fashion styling for photoshoots and commercials are where I let my creativity run wild – I experiment using different styles by playing with colors, materials, and textures. For my photoshoots, I create theme, set up scene, and pick out the appropriate outfits for the event.
Collaboration is truly important for me – it allows artists to use their creativity, get inspired, and share their passion with each other. Everyone approaches art differently, so it is key to have an open mind and be respectful. I make sure to give my team members space to input their own style and imagination.
At Allen & Houston, we celebrate creative freedom, and so, we recently started a fashion and art magazine. The magazine is meant to promote creativity and help audiences embrace who they are. I am currently designing a fashion clothing collection to emphasize the idea of imagination and self-love, which will be showcased in September 2019.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
When you decided the path you want to take, set a clear destination and plan your route. There will be people who will try to direct you to a route different than the one you chose. Some will have your best intentions while others will not. There will be good and bad advice, so it is important to surround yourself with the right people; ones who understand your passion and vision.
For me, these people give me constructive criticism, yet provided positive energy. They give me room to be who I am and make my own decisions. Building a team is important, especially with like-minding people – it helps to share your passion with others while feeling a sense of modesty.
At first, I preferred to do everything on my own, because I felt others would not be able to deliver the vision I have. However, collaborating with others helped me become a better version of myself, and ultimately deliver better results, since there is more input from people with a similar goal. The group of talented people I have surrounded myself with is a reminder to keep improving, achieve higher, and always stay humble. We now create goals and achieve dreams together.
Pricing:
- We provide virtual and in-person styling services. Tell us what you are looking for and we will send you a customized shopping list! Pricing starting at $40
Contact Info:
- Website: www.allenhoustonstylingco.com
- Email: allenhoustonstyling@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/izabellawingzstylist
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/allenhoustonstyling
- Other: www.instagram.com/allenhoustonstyling
Image Credit:
Photographers: Alyssa Verheem, FMG Photography, Jose Manuel, Karen E Ott Photography, Makeup Artist: Athena Mathews, Hair Stylist: Sarah Kelly, Models: Johanna Godinez, Lupe Juan, Xavier Johnson
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
