skip to main content
Arianne Phillips
Arianne Phillips
01:01

Arianne Phillips

Los Angeles, CA USA

"There is no dividing line between my work and my lifestyle; my work is my lifestyle."

Career Roadmap

Arianne's work combines: Design, Fashion, and Being Creative

See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.

Take Roadmap Quiz

Day In The Life

Costume Designer/Stylist

I am a costume designer & fashion stylist. Imagineer, fantasy spinner, character builder, & fashion loyalist.

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    Moved from her small hometown of Santa Cruz to New York City, pursuing dream of becoming a stylist.

  • 2.

    Briefly met photographer Arthur Elgort through a friend of a friend; he told her to get a job at Condé Nast.

  • 3.

    Called Condé Nast and faked it: put herself forward as Elgort's close friend, got an interview at Vogue.

  • 4.

    Kept up an attitude of, "What do I have to lose?" Figured the worst that would happen was she'd move back home.

  • 5.

    Found a niche within the fashion industry she liked: styling rock musicians.

  • 6.

    Got her big break styling her friend Lenny Kravitz; styled him unconventionally, but fans started responding, emulating his accessories.

  • 7.

    From there, accumulated more rock star clients; decided to make the jump into movie costume styling.

  • 8.

    Was nominated for an Academy Award for her costume design work on the film "Walk the Line."

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Society in general:

    I don't think you're right for Vogue.

  • How I responded:

    When I was first applying for a job a Conde Nast, based on my experience they told me that I probably wasn't the right fit for Vogue. I definitely agreed with that, but to my surprise, they ended up offering me a job with Mademoiselle magazine instead.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

Click to expand

  • While I was attending San Francisco State University, I got into a really bad car accident and ended up convalescing for six or seven months at my parents’ home. I didn't end up going back to school.

  • When I was first starting out, I fibbed my way into a meeting with Arthur Elgort. I later lied and said I was his close friend in order to meet with Jade Hobson, the creative director of Vogue. I lied about being a college grad to get the job.