Check out our interview with talented Celebrity Stylist & BravoTV star Ali Levine.
Born and raised in New York, Ali has worked for some of the biggest names in the Fashion industry including Fragments, Coach, Talbots and Target as part of development and design.
Ali relocated to Los Angeles, California where she fell head over heels in love with wardrobe styling. She is an expert when it comes to creating looks for her celebrity clients. From red carpet appearances, music videos to world tours, Ali a unique thumbprint that displays her talent as a Fashion stylist.
Ali’s New York persona took the limelight, when she recently appeared with her husband on Bravo’s hit show, “Stripped.” As a TV correspondent, she’s covered red carpet events for Celebrity Page TV and makes regular appearances on television promoting herself as a brand. Ali’s vibrant personality lights up the red carpet and tv appearance.
After Ali’s recent birth of her daughter Amelia Rei, Ali has transitioned to mompreneur and mommy influencer across the board. Belonging to sought after mommy groups her fashion sense plus real life day to day inspires many who follow her and cover her.
Ali has a new podcast that ITunes recently named New and Note Worthy!
Striptd Down With Ali Levine
All about playing off the show she was on, on Bravo. Being stripped down in motherhood, real, raw, authentic self and navigating it.
When Ali is not working, she continues to exercise her devotion to her field by scouring the hottest trends all over Los Angeles and New York. She has been dubbed the new “IT” girl in the celebrity styling world.
Follow Ali at @alilevinedesign
Hi Ali, please tell us a little about you?
A little about me. I was born and raised in NY, moved to LA a decade ago with my boyfriend, Justin who now I’m married too and we have a beautiful daughter together, Amelia Rei, who’s 2 and a baby girl on the way due any day now.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Fashionable, spontaneous, and outgoing.
What’s your background?
Fashion merchandising, design and minor in advertising.
When did you start in the business?
I started in the business of fashion in college in spring 2006, when I worked as an intern for Targets executive program, and got to learn all about Softlines and design and managing.
I then went on to work in corporate in product development and design. After that, I started working in the entertainment industry as an intern, and eventually a production assistant to the amazingly talented Oliver Stone & as a costume assistant to the famous costume designer Ellen Mirojnick, for the movie Wall Street Money Never Sleeps in 2009.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Crushing It
Style Your Mind
I couldn’t pick one book and honestly I have more, I love reading about others stories to be inspired, different perspectives and outlooks really help me align and find mine as well.
What is the key to your success?
Hard work, consistency, relationship building & networking. Really building those people around you. Mentors, partners, your community, all of it. And trying to always have a good attitude and smile. Goes a long way.
What is fun and rewarding about what you do? And what’s not?
What is rewarding about what I do, are the constant messages, emails from people all over the world who feel connected to me, something I shared or said spoke to them and helped them, they found confidence in themselves, really anything where I’m truly connecting with others, I find it super rewarding.
As far as styling & fashion specifically, what’s rewarding is seeing my hard work pay off with my clients receiving best dressed in national press, magazines, red carpets etc.
Getting to see their confidence in an outfit!
And what’s not for styling? The harshness that can come from some celeb clients and this cut throat industry as a whole. Sometimes is not the nicest, you have to have very thick skin, or learn how to get some!
What’s not for the rest of my brand? Probably the shaming online/ on social media I receive, the harsh comments, the negative feedback. Being so vulnerable can be hard at times but most times it’s worth it.
Now what about your celebrity stylist company?
Ali Levine Design that was truly my first baby before anything else came along in my career that I built & nurtured from the ground up.
Can you name a few of your celebrity clients?
Sure. Candace Bure, Joey King, Julie Lake, Holly Madison, Lisa Vanderpump …. just to name a few. There’s many more and over the years my roster has changed.
Who will be in your bucket list to work with?
Zendaya. Love her style and approach to fashion, would be fun to be out of the box with her.
What do you think is the secret to have a successful business like yours?
I don’t think it’s a real secret per say. I think it’s hard work and dedication.
How bad do you want something?! Will you work hard for it?! How hard?
This is something I always ask myself and push myself when it comes to my business and myself as a brand now.
Constantly showing up, even when it’s hard, taking on challenges and learning from them.
Never giving up. Building trust with your clients. Trust is huge. Trust in myself. Continuing to always create and envision what I want and never stopping. Setting goals and believing in them. Always dreaming bigger than I can imagine with anything. Pushing myself towards those goals and potential dreams. Those are some things that I think have made me have a successful business.
What are your Spring/Summer fashion favorites?
Oh I’m loving all the floral right now, the mix of small floral prints and then some other larger ones. Also, love all the ethereal white. Clean soft white dresses, white rompers with a flow etc.
Another fave trend of mine this season is lace. There’s something so delicate yet sexy about the detail!! Super carefree & soft and beautiful!
And which accessories do you recommend for the Summer?
Big hats, bucket hats, a cute trench!
Even if lightweight to change up the look of an outfit, trenches can be so much fun.
Other fun ones are geometric jewelry, oversized hoops, broaches especially flowers.
Chain necklaces, chain jewelry. Flowers in general, adding them anywhere!! Statement rings!
Any particular colors we should be wearing this year?
Rust orange, blush, coral, pink, white, orange but think like that sunset orange color, Grape type of purple with a lighter shade to it, think about how the dusty lilacs were hot last year, this year a shade or two darker. Saffron yellow, a little darker than a sunlight yellow is a fun fresh take on spring and summer 2020.
Another hot color? Minty/ biscay green. Such a sexy but cool color. In the neutral palette, will also see some soft greys.
Who are some of your favorite designers, and why?
Coco Chanel- classic and stunning, timeless, iconic with the blazers and broaches, the details of each design.
Betsy Johnson – love her vibe, her independence in fashion and she’s rad I’ve met her. The dramatic prints, Christian Dior – I love the structure of his designs and styles. The padded shoulders & low hemlines, amazing. Burberry – for the iconic trench that I think still leads the trench trends today. Valentino – the stunning gowns and details. Like the perfect bows on the dresses, the drapery, all of it!! I have many designers I love being that I love fashion!!
These are some of my favorite iconic designers.
What does fashion mean to you?
Fashion means a statement, fashion means having fun with your looks and what you’re saying to the world, what you’re saying to yourself.
Fashion is a moment. “Fashion fades, style is eternal” I completely agree with this statement.
Fashion and all that fades, trends it all comes and goes, but your style, that’s something you find and is a part of you. It might take time to find it, create it, but it’s yours.
How would you explain your fashion style?
Glam, boho, classic and pops of details all tied into one fashionable bow. I love mixing elements and different styles, but those are the constants I believe I always go back too.
What do you think makes you different and so popular compared to other celebrity stylist?
Well first off, thank you. I think that just as I am about my own style and being uniquely you, is what I also preach to my clients as well.
I don’t want them to ever feel like I’m dressing them like me. I want them to find their own individuality, their own style. Trends are great and fun, but I’m about their individual style and finding that.
What speaks to them, as their stylist I help them find that and guide them, and find their confidence in what they like.
I always tell my clients “confidence is your best accessory” and that goes for so much of life, but especially with what you’re wearing, you need to feel it! You need to love it!! You need to OWN it!
I think that’s what sets me apart. Everyone in the styling world has their styles and can put a gorgeous look together, and they are WOW moments, but I think the biggest part is how the client really feels and transforms in one what they are wearing. Some of the best compliments I’ve ever received from a client is, I never thought I’d find my style and now I have and I love it and I continue to adventure more into it. Or I didn’t have this confidence till this moment.
That’s my true happiness as a stylist and I believe makes me who I am in the styling world.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on some fun Burning Man projects with one of the apps I work called Styld Life which is remote styling but let’s me work with clients all over the world which I love!
I also just launched a jewelry collaboration with Konplott. One of my fave designers to style with on the red carpet and I’m very excited about that!
Being that I started in the design world, I love mixing my love for design and styling.
https://ali.loveskonplott.de/ Here it is to check out. I believe there’s something for everyone!
Now tell us about your family, how is baby #2 going?
Baby girl #2 is due any day, another mini fashionista to join my tribe and I couldn’t be more excited. I feel like this pregnancy went so slow and now this last month, it’s like wow she’ll be here any day now! Crazy but exciting all at once.
What reaction do you have from Amelia when she hears the news of a sister?
Amelia is the cutest about her sister.
She says baby all the time and hi baby, and hugs and kisses my belly. It truly melts me.
I think Amelia will want to be very helpful with her and I can’t wait to match their outfits!! Haha, so that Mom!
Are you and your husband thinking going for a boy next?
Justin and I aren’t sure, we go back and forth.
I think will wait and see how life is as a party of 4, if our family feels complete or if we really want to potentially experience a boy, because of course it could be another girl! So will see!
What is your own definition of happiness?
It’s interesting when I think about this, I used to define happiness by what others thought or what was told to us. As I’ve gotten older, I realize happiness is what you define for yourself.
It’s what you choose and allows you to be content with your life. I’ve learned to not compare and not think about what’s next or what can be added, but to be present in the moment.
To find gratitude in my current life, and be truly grateful and thankful for it.
I believe that’s where happiness lies for me and where I continue to find it.
What is next for Ali Levine in 2020?
What is next? Well, being a mama of two girls which I’m truly excited for.
Have some fun campaigns in the works for that.
My podcast Striptd Down with Ali Levine – has some amazing celebs & public figures coming on it. Can’t wait to share!
More styling projects in person and remote.
Working on some new ideas for collaborations and designs with some other companies
(stay tuned).
Tv segments are always in the works, and I have so much fun creating different ideas for them and tips to share in fashion, motherhood & lifestyle.
More creative & hopefully inspiring content in general to share on my platforms.
Something people don’t know about you?
Kind of a weird thing, I don’t really like my feet or anyone else’s for that matter.
Who was your role model as a child?
My grandmother, who I called Dodo.
She always believed in me and told me to reach for the stars, envision major moments and to love life. My grandmother also really had a hand in my fashion, she taught me how to sew and crochet. She bought me my first sewing machine.
I also learned oil painting from her. My grandmother took me shopping all the time, talked to me about trends, colors, and designs.
What are your makeup bag staples when traveling?
A good bronzer, brow shadow/ liner, highlight, lip liner and a simple lip gloss or a solid nude lipstick depending travel plans.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Salad. I love a good healthy salad that’s packed with good stuff in it, especially here in California, there seems to be about something about the salads, so fresh, so many healthy ingredients in one bowl! So yummy!
And your favorite cheat food?
Dessert always. Anything chocolate. I love dessert and chocolate truly makes me happy!
What would be a deal breaker on a first date?
Not holding the door for me, pulling out a chair.
Simple things, I love that old school stuff and personally as much as I love independence I don’t think that should mean chivalry is dead.
Which project is still on your bucket list?
To go and attend Paris fashion week, would probably be one of my tops!
In five years from now, where do you see yourself and your career?
I think about this a lot. My career and brand has involved so much from the beginning.
I’d love to have my own show and combine my love for fashion and motherhood and bring confidence to others, especially mothers and women.
Maybe writing a book at some point? Thought about this and have had others ask me to share as well. I’d love to have some type of clothing line. Not sure if it’d be for adults or children at this point or both!
What music do you like?
I like a mix of music. I like some pop, country, a little bit of rock, acoustic, classic. I really like a lot and it depends on my mood as well.
Do you support any charity?
I do support quite a few charities.
One that’s close to my heart is the lymphoma and leukemia society. My grandmother passed from lymphoma so this is something that’s extremely important to me.
Also, St. Judes for the children and some different animal charities like Best Friends.
What do you like to watch on Tv?
I don’t watch a ton of tv, like I used too. I enjoy books more, meditation and journaling, reading blogs.
When I do watch TV, if I’m in the mood for something like a guilty pleasure it’s vanderpump rules, housewives, Bachelor, Chrisley Knows Best, Flipping Out etc.
A lot of times, we find a good series on Netflix and watch that. Recently watched the Good Place, Episodes, Schitts Creek – personal fave.
3 things you can’t leave home without?
My sunnies, my diaper bag and my phone.
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Relaxed, sleeping in as much as possible. A nice walk, a bath, family time, just enjoying the slowness and stillness of that day. Sometimes it’s the beach to enjoy the sun, or a bbq at home to hang out outside as a family and just enjoy each other’s company.
Later on, it’s wine ( when I’m not pregnant) and some dessert, maybe a movie or just cuddling. Depends on my mood and what I’m needing that particular weekend/ moment.
What do you think of Social Media?
Social media to me is a blessing and can be a curse in ways. It’s part of my job, and I’m truly grateful to be able to share my tips and now my life, as part of my business. I love connecting with people and sharing in all of that.
Sometimes it can also be too consuming, unhealthy, and a vulnerable place.
I’ve had to learn a balance with it and really allow myself to detox as necessary without feeling the guilt from that.
Where we can follow you?
@Alilevinedesign Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok
www.alilevine.com is my blog and website
Podcast : Striptd Down with Ali Levine
Quote: “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase”
“Life is not measured by the number breathes we take, but by the moments that take our breathe away”
Drink: Mojito muddled with berries and some lime
City: New York, it will always have my heart
Movie/ Movies: I have a few, The Notebook, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Sound of Music
Credits:
Photo: @photosbysilvie
MUA: @ambeauty_byanna
MUA Blue Outfit: @mua_livv
