The stylist and costume designer Leesa Evans knows that fashion can be transformative because she sees it first-hand with her clientele. Helping men and women create their individual style to increase their confidence is the most satisfying part of her work, and it became the impetus for cofounding Stylefund, an organization that guides people to use clothing as a tool for confidence and well-being.
The inspiration for Stylefund began after Evans teamed up with actress and comedian Amy Schumer to find the clothes that best supported her lifestyle, from her day-to-day to the red carpet. “I believe that when we feel confident in what we’re wearing on a daily basis, we interact with others in a more conducive way, creating more positive connections in the world. I believe clothing is that important,” Evans told me.
As the daughter of a couture designer, Evans grew up around fashion and spent time at runway shows. Eventually, she worked with her mother and learned about clothing design, manufacturing and the retail business before striking out on her own. Today her credits include more than 25 films, including Bridesmaids, Clueless, Neighbors, 22 Jump Street, Get Him to the Greek, I Love You, Man, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, This is 40 and, most recently, Trainwreck and I Feel Pretty. She has also been the stylist for more than 500 television commercials for brands including CocaCola, AT&T, Verizon, Samsung, Ford, Mastercard, Porsche, Olay and Kelloggs. In 2016, she was named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s “25 Most Powerful Stylists in Hollywood” for her red carpet styling for Schumer, and she has styled several of her celebrity clients for editorial features in publications such as Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, GQ, People, Nylon and InStyle. We discussed her career path and advice for other stylists and costume designers.
What inspired you to start as a stylist and costume designer? What was your career path?
I always loved the artistry of fashion and how clothing could make you feel. I kind of fell into it and it just felt right, from there it was a natural progression to get into styling and costume design. I don’t know that I had a specific career path, but my thought was to do every job, work very hard and see where I end up with the hopes of rising to the top.
What is your method for styling movies like I Feel Pretty and Bridesmaids, and how does that differ from when you style private clients?
Costume design for film is so specific. You are using clothing to build characters by creating the stories of the people we come to know on screen. When I am conceptualizing a film, I reach into the arsenal of people I’ve met in my life to help create those characters. People are complicated, and I love to portray those complexities through clothing. In styling private clients, I always look to help facilitate a sense of confidence and ease in someone’s life.
What is a workday as like? Please walk me through a day!
My work varies from day to day, but I almost always start at my office with my assistants and the daily to-do list! I shop for clients, sketch custom orders, source fabrics, go to fittings and on shoot days I get up early and go on set for whatever scene or project we’re shooting that day.
You worked on Clueless, which has become an iconic film, in part because of the fashion. What was that experience like?
I come from a fashion background, and I was asked to be the assistant designer to help infuse the film with what we hoped was an inspirational style. It was such a fun job and a great group of actors and filmmakers and it’s such fun to know how many people loved the film including the fashion.
Do you have a favorite film character you’ve dressed?
It’s been incredibly creative to dress so many different kinds of characters, I especially love working with actors in multiple roles across different films like Rose Byrne who is such a great collaborator and a delight to work with.
What advice do you have for other stylists and costume designers?
My best advice for budding stylists and costume designers is to develop a keen awareness for psychology and proportion to accompany your innate fashion sense.
What is one thing that you wish you had known when you were starting out your career?
I wish I had looked at the big picture of my work and life balance more closely, it’s definitely been an ongoing challenge.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
To be short and concise in all forms of business communication.
What is your business advice for other young professional women?
You are at your best when you trust your instincts and calmly believe in yourself.
Image: Angela Pham/BFA/REX/Shutterstock
