Today we’d like to introduce you to Luna Avila.
Hi Luna, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The year was 2019, I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. I have always been drawn to art and aesthetics ever since I was a little girl. It’s what makes me happy. One night, I sat on my bed facing my closet. Pondering some idea on what I can thrive in. I am a firm believer that your passion is hidden in your everyday routine. The closet stood in front of me, it felt as if it was actually staring right back at me. A lightbulb shined over my head and boom, every day I love to style myself. I have planned my outfits for as long as I can remember. Especially for a special occasion, I would go out and shop a whole new outfit just for it. I honestly cried with this realization. The answer was in front of me the entire time. I thought to myself: “I need to go into fashion.” Research began. I spent hours watching youtube videos and reading articles about how I can start. I began to tell everyone I knew that my dream was to go into fashion, I had no clue how I was going to do it, but I knew it would happen. One day, I was hanging out with a dear friend of mine, Juliette. Her parents own Snap! Orlando, the art gallery in downtown. They were asking me what I was going to do after graduation. I simply told them that I wanted to go into fashion. I laughed and said: “I don’t know how but I will!” Juliette’s mom, Holly then replied “I know someone that would be perfect!” Holly connected me with Tammara Kohler, otherwise known as Fused Fashion. I reached out to her and eagerly waited. I was too excited about this connection. Days turned into weeks, no response. My heart began to throb it felt. “Maybe it just isn’t meant to be?” I thought. It was a random Tuesday; I was back home from work. My phone lit up with a notification from Tammara. She asked me if I was free on Saturday to assist her on an Orlando Magic shoot over at the Amway Center. I screamed! For the first time in a while, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. When I least expected it. On that Saturday I showed up backstage of Amway, my nerves were electrifying. Tammara pulls up, we greet, and immediately she gave me the task of building a wardrobe rack. Now, I have never built a wardrobe rack in my life. Even reading the instructions felt like learning a foreign language. Despite all odds, I kept going. Halfway into building the wardrobe rack, Tammara noticed and began to help. My second task, to park her car!? I just met this lady a couple minutes ago and she gave me her keys to park her vehicle in a Downtown Orlando parking garage. Who knew fashion was so fast-paced, right? 2019 Luna had no idea what was in store after that. As I progressed, I began to gather friends of mine and have styled photoshoots. I focused on building my portfolio. Networking was huge, I made friends with some photographers who offered to hire me for styling models from Modern Muse. A modeling agency based in Downtown Orlando. Gradually, I started to help upcoming models in styling them for their portfolios. I started mainly working as a vintage stylist. I manage over at The Lovely Boutique Market, we specialize in ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s apparel. My lovely boss, Kim Hellstrom would allow me to rent clothes for my photoshoots. Everything began to come together. Slowly, but surely. Years go by, I began to assist and style commercials for Disney Springs, Legoland, Chicken Guy! and NASA. My editorial styling work has been published in magazines from New York, Los Angeles, and Poland. I’ve done celebrity styling as well for Sasha Banks from WWE. I branched out to be both a modern and vintage stylist. Offering services using modern pieces as well as doing vintage-era photoshoots. 4 years into the industry, I can truly say I have accomplished quite a bit. I can build a wardrobe rack no problem too! One thing I have learned for sure is that none of this would have happened without the support of my family, friends, cats, and divine timing.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like everything in life, it has not been a smooth road. Getting to where I am today required loads of dedication, long days, and hard work. My main struggle was remembering to just live life. It sounds a bit cliché, but sitting back and just appreciating the sunshine and the time I am in right now was and still is very difficult for me. I am the kind of individual who is so focused on the future, that I can’t focus on the present moment. With that being said, throughout my career, there were many distractions. There were many times where I felt invisible. Moments where people underestimated me because of my youth. A complete outcast, like I was not good enough for such a harsh industry. Times where I passed by a group of friends all laughing together as I walked alone. Right now, I am re-learning who Luna is, without the styling part. When you’re a workaholic like me, sometimes you lose a sense of yourself. Your brand becomes your identity. I learned that after I worked 14 days in a row. I didn’t want to lose myself, I couldn’t. Right now, I am focused on separating my own personal life from my fashion life. If I am being honest, this has been one of the hardest internal struggles I have dealt with.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the manager at The Lovely Boutique Market, Assistant for Fused Fashion, Personal Stylist Coordinator at The Mall at Millenia, and am my own independent styling brand under my name, Luna Avila. I specialize in Women’s Clothing, Jewelry Accessorizing, and Vintage Apparel. I am known for my editorial work that has been published in magazines. I am most proud of the feedback I have received from my clients and mentors about my styling. The kind words from them motivate me. I am proud that I kept going, despite it all. What sets me apart from others would have to be my intentions. My goal for everyone I style, young or old, is for them to feel beautiful. My brand vocation is “Transforming people to enlighten their authentic selves, and tell beautiful stories through fashion.” Once they step out in my outfit, I want my client to feel like the main character. That this is their moment. Besides, fashion is nothing without a model.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’ll be honest, my entire career and business has been good luck. One thing led to another; everything fell into place exactly the way it needed to be. I couldn’t be more grateful for all the wonderful experiences I have lived while being in the fashion industry. Of course, there have been times of bad luck here and there in my career. However, majority of the time, I was just letting my thoughts and emotions get the best of me. Like everyone else, I am my own worst critic. I wouldn’t call the role of bad luck in my personal life actual bad luck, just unfortunate events that are meant to be. I have a very small group of friends, divorced parents, repetitive relationships that don’t work out and my chore is the dishes! The worst, right? I wouldn’t say it’s that bad. Quality over quantity, my single mother is my superhero, and it’s okay to thrive without someone by my side. Don’t think I could get out of doing the dishes though, unfortunately.
Contact Info:
- Website: lunaavila.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avilaluna_/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHtcUitmbgfprE_9P65liVA
Image Credits
Anna Frolova
