name: Alana Kelen
occupation: Senior Fashion Stylist at VH1 and also freelance/consult as a stylist with NBC, InStyle Magazine & Billboard Magazine
hometown: Fairfield, Connecticut
homebase: New York City
describe your first internship: I actually first interned at VH1! Styling wasn't very well known at the time and there weren't any courses that focused on this trade. So when it came time to do my internship, I had seen the description of the wardrobe department at MTV and VH1, and decided that it was something I would love to try. The daily practices combined the business and creativity of fashion. It seemed absolutely perfect. I ended up loving every minute of it, the interaction with the production staff, talent and the entire fashion industry. VH1's wardrobe department was small, so I was able to get very involved and learn valuable tools and methods to dressing on-air talent for television. Internships are so valuable, so jump on as many opportunities as possible is my suggestion to any current students. This industry is all about networking, building contacts and outstanding relationships.
how do you normally start and end your work day?
I usually start the day very early around 8am, come in and go through outstanding emails and correspondence. I use this time to reach out to PR reps and vendors to make appointments in order to pull clothes. Before I leave the office around 11am for previously planned market appointments, I check the taping schedule for the day and make sure all the appropriate clothes are styled out and ready for the talent to get dressed in, while I am running around. I have an amazing co-worker, Tal Kohen, who takes care of all the shows throughout the day with getting our on-camera talent ready for tapings. Between 11am to 5pm, I am running all over Manhattan (on the subway, no cabs for me!) to various appointments with my fabulous and valued contacts. Afterwards I return to the office to go through everything I have missed on email and in the office all day, prep for anything necessary coming up and close up shop.
how or when did you know that fashion was going to be your career? Ever since my Fashion & Fabrics class, sophomore year of high school. Initially, just in case a fashion career didn't work out, I went to Arizona State University to study business. It was a far way from home and I was super home sick, so after only a semster, I came back and decided it was all or nothing. I applied to the Fashion Institute of Technology and it was love at my first class.
what's the impact that fashion has on music and vice versa?
With cameras everywhere nowadays, everyone is seen at all times. Musicians are considered celebrities and pictures of them pop up everywhere. Their personalities come across in their clothing - rockers in black with an incredible pair of jeans and silver jewelry piled on, hip-hoppers in slim jeans tucked into bright Nike's with a graphic tee and matching baseball hat. Depending on what kind of music someone likes, these fashions trickle down and influence their fans into wearing similar pieces of clothing. And more recently, musicians have actually gotten into the business of fashion like Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake for William Rast and the list goes on.
what did you wear to work today? A vintage Levi's shirt, Diesel Denim mini with Michael Kors motorcycle boots ... rain appropriate clothing for schlepping around the city.
what was the last fashion party you attended and was it fun?
A Rogan for Target party at Barney's last week. It was so much fun and absolutely genius. To have an affordable, super trendy and fashionable collection on sale at Barney's with great music and champagne makes for an amazing night.
is there one thing or item that completes a whole look?
A signature piece of jewelry that has some significance to the person wearing it, is classic and a great conversation piece.
what is your bag and what's in it?
Today I have my navy blue Marc by Marc Jacobs Quinn Tote. It holds EVERYTHING I need (and some things I don't): wallet, card case with all by business cards and discount shopping cards, lip gloss, work ID, metro card, cell phone, Blackberry, Us Weekly, InStyle Magazine, WWD, Trident White Peppermint gum, PETA postcards to help ban NYC Horse Carriages sunglasses and eyeglasses.
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