The MFJS Reporter — Winter 2020 T-R

Being a wardrobe stylist within the entertainment industry demands a keen eye for detail, and a willingness to persevere through each rank of the positions available in the department. However, Conway had an unconventional entrance into the field. 

After attending The University of Southern California for two years, Conway was left uninterested in her classes and unsure of her future career path. She then decided to become a ski instructor before returning to her home country of Canada to attend the Academy of Design Toronto. 

It was at design school where Conway truly discovered her passion for costumes and wardrobe. She was able to learn practical fashion skills like pattern making and sewing and apply her abilities in university sponsored fashion shows. However, Conway knew she would move back to Los Angeles, and the entertainment industry offered an avenue for her to pursue her passion. 

Notably, Conway’s father, Tim Conway, was an actor and comedian who frequently appeared on the Carol Burnett show during the 1970’s. As she spent time on set she became familiar with the work of the wardrobe stylist, which encouraged her to take up that career path. 

Through family, Conway was able to connect with Bobbie Mannix, a prolific wardrobe stylist for commercials, television, and film. Mannix then hired Conway as one of her assistants. 

“I was making 50 dollars a day just to do returns for her, and that’s all I did for a long time,” said Conway. 

After a few months of this Conway was given more responsibility, but ultimately worked as an assistant for five or six years before being promoted. Once Conway secured her position as a main assistant, Mannix began letting her take on projects as the head wardrobe stylist. Once she became more established as an independent stylist, she was referred to more clients and her career blossomed. 

“To succeed in this job you need to be good, you need to be nice, and you need to be lucky” said Conway.  

At an entry level point, wardrobe assistants might be working long hours every single day if they are employed by multiple different stylists doing various projects. In addition, wardrobe stylists are paid a daily rate rather than being paid hourly.

 As a wardrobe assistant on a commercial shoot today you might expect to receive a day rate between 450 to 550 dollars. As the main wardrobe stylist, you could expect to receive a daily rate between 850 to 1000 dollars. These rates are ensured as wardrobe stylists are unionized in the entertainment industry as a part of The Costume Designers Guild. 

As an established wardrobe stylist, Conway now works an average of 15 days per month. Her work routine starts at around 8am during prep days, when she heads to costume rental shops in order to find wardrobe for the actors. Then, at around 10am she often heads to the department stores or travels to specialty shops in order to continue finding the right pieces. On shoot days you can find her in the dressing room, styling the actors and adjusting the costumes. 

For Conway, the most gratifying aspect of her career is going into a meeting where it seems the wardrobe request is extremely complicated due to the conditions of the shoot and budget. She enjoys the satisfaction of completing the difficult task and challenging herself to reach new achievements in her field.

“My favorite part of the job is thinking what’s decided in a meeting might be impossible or something that i’ve never done, but figuring it out in a few days and then executing it” said Conway. 

As enjoyable as her job is, Conway considers herself much more of an artist than a math oriented individual. Because of this, constantly dealing with cash, receipts, and the pressures of staying within the guidelines of the commercial’s budget can be considered an inconvenience of the job. 

Over the course of Conway’s career, her most rewarding achievement was being the main wardrobe stylist for Jack In The Box commercials over the span of two decades. These commercials often demanded bizarre, humorous, and unusual wardrobe requests. She was kept on her toes while being faced with last minute wardrobe decisions, and subsequently learning to quickly adapt and plan in advance. 

She also worked on around 40 commercials per year during this time period.The experience of being repeatedly hired for the same position for over 20 years was a career milestone and validated her success in the industry. 

As for aspiring wardrobe stylists, Conway suggests entering the field as early as possible. She acknowledges how enriching a college education can be, and appreciates that she was able to attend multiple higher education institutions. However, she says that it would be more advantageous for a prospective stylist to either refine their skills in design school or directly enter the field. 

“Instead of going to a traditional college a future stylist should consider taking sewing or pattern making classes instead. They need to know more than just how to shop and do fittings” said Conway.  

Kelly Conway proves that there are multiple points of entry into wardrobe styling in the entertainment industry. Through consistency, hard work, and building a strong reputation, Conway paved her own way as a wardrobe stylist and proved she had the determination to thrive in the industry.