Teresita Madrigal, Stylist to Why Dont We & Kirsten Collins

Spending most of her childhood in Watsonville, Teresita craved the creative freedom at a distance. She urged for an idea to move to a bigger city not too distanced from her hometown. Now in her late twenties, the Los Angeles-based stylist, best known for her work with the incredible Atlantic Records Band WHY DONT WE, is showing us how she tailors each of her clients distinctive styles.

When we met early morning she was catching a breath in her work schedule before heading to her next meeting with another up and coming artist. Through meetings, group conferences with agents, music videos preparations, and press appearances, Teresita’s one of those rare stylists who somehow allows her clients to let their persona's speak through their outfits, she's becoming a power player in an industry she once grew up obsessing over.

Do you have a specific style that your clients know you by?

"I'm fairly open with my clients on things that they love and even what they dont like. I come from a family of costume designers and tailors, so what I am pretty particular about is fabrics, cuts, and the right fit. If my client says he's a medium, but my measurements come out to a small, I'll bring both sizes and I show my clients that fits are more important than the "hype". If they tell me they hate white, and love black, Ill bring a ton of black options, with bits of color here and there. As time goes by, I'll bring in more and more color. Eventually in 6 months down the road, my client is wearing an all white outfit with neon accessories. "

You mentioned earlier that you come from a designing background, are you thinking about starting your own fashion line? Men's Clothing or Women's Clothing?

"One hundred and fifty percent! I think it's important to shape yourself into what you want to be. I knew what I wanted but you can't just walk into a meeting and tell people that you're something you're not. I started as a retail associate, grew into a brand merchandiser, became a creative director and then went freelance. Working with so many artists, I know what people constantly ask for. I know what I want my fashion line to look like, now I need to find a middle ground. It'll most likely be a mix of men's clothing and small enough sizes for women that want to wear it.

Do you believe people need education before joining the business?

I believe in discipline over education. I knew how to sew at age 5 at the same time that I knew how to make my own tortillas. My mami raised me to be a soldier. It was important to be a good student, learn how to communicate with my classmates, learn the business of growing a business, appreciate your family and where you come from, before you thought about moving into a new and unknown world. I do have an extensive background with education but it's because the opportunities were available to me. I worked for my grants and my scholarships; the same opportunities are available to thousands of people if they look for them.

Is there a live fashion scene where you come from? What kind of style do people like in your hometown?

While fashion comes and goes in LA, if someone really prospers in it and finds their light, they make it their own. We get to see a little bit of everything for decades. You still see 50's, 70's, 90's every single day. One of things that I can appreciate is all of my clients come from small town neighborhoods or at-least lived at one once. Im from Watsonville, Ca, it's a neighborhood that's part of Santa Cruz County. We have Jimbo Phillips, he made the screaming hand that Moschino tried copying for his Fall'13 collection. We have the Mystery Spot, the oldest Boardwalk Amusement Park, we're the original "Surf City", The Maverick Jay Moriarity was born and raised here, "The Lost Boys" were filmed here and so much more. We're a touristy area, we thrive on 1960's Hippie Coachella fashion, swimwear; but we also flourish on music and local bands so our fashion is a mix of summer by day and punk rock & punk subculture by night. One thing I can appreciate is that sneaker-heads & label-heads keep it cool, they don't over do it like they do in bigger cities. Wealth isnt as important in Santa Cruz as it is in a bigger city with fashion, we show it with our homes, our businesses and our cars.

So you're passionate about where you come from? Do you bring that into your work?

Of course. But it's not always about me. They saw my work and they saw something they liked. But as a stylist, you're hired to do what the artist wants you to do. I bring in what I recommend. They normally like my recommendations 10/10 times. I recommend products that will look good on my clients, that describe them as an artist, as an individual; these styles need to represent them, their label, their partners, their work and their growth. About 5/10 times my recommendations are ideas that I bring from where I come from, brands that are local to my town, styles that I appreciate. Every so often, you'll see "Santa Cruz", "Lemon Tree", "Cookies SF", on their tops and they're up on Getty Images, that makes my day.

What are some brands that you can recommend to aspiring artists?

Vintage. I'm a huge fan of finding vintage bits that are unique. Go to thrift shops, estate sales, and you might get lucky. Ive found incredible bits & designer things that would normally go for thousands at a Melrose Vintage Spot. I'm a HUGE fan of looking extraordinary or extremely simple. Simple is normally head to toe denim. If I can recommend anything, it's always a fabric.

Is there a piece of advice that you can give aspiring stylists?

Create your own story. Your essentials are going to be catered to who you are as a stylist. Be yourself. Do what you want and follow your dreams. Your story is unique and don't let anyone show you how to write it. If it's your passion you'll do whatever it takes to make it come true.