My artistic and style story started early. As a kid, I watched my mom embody what I would later recognize as pure “90s supermodel energy”—effortless, confident and glamorous. My dad, a musician and painter, made sure creativity was non-negotiable in our home. Add in my Mexican-American roots, a steady diet of telenovelas, 3rd Rock From the Sun and SNL, and you get a style sensibility that is bold, rich with flavor and with just a little bit of camp.

Our relationship with clothing was never about buying new. While most kids spent Saturday mornings watching cartoons, my mornings started at 5 a.m. With my mom making tortas de jamón y queso before going out yard sailing. The clothes I grew up wearing were hand-me-downs, thrift finds and lucky secondhand treasures. Without realizing it at the time, those mornings shaped how I see fashion today: creative, resourceful and full of possibility.

In 2012, I attended fashion school, where I first became aware of the massive environmental impact of the fashion industry. For the next two years I wrestled with whether I could continue in the field while staying true to my values. In 2014, I left school and began working my way up through retail merchandising. The experience sharpened my skills in trend forecasting, merchandising and intuitive styling.

By 2016, I had found my way into the film and production industry as a wardrobe stylist’s assistant. Often balancing one or two retail jobs at the same time. The hustle paid off. By 2020, freelance wardrobe styling had become my full-time career. I realized I had found my place within the fashion industry—one where I could contribute creatively while making thoughtful, sustainable choices.

Today, I’m intentional about where I spend my money and how garments move through my projects. Pieces are reused across shoots whenever possible, sourced secondhand or thoughtfully donated to nonprofit opportunity houses. I’m a big believer that not everything needs to be purchased new. Depending on the project, the perfect piece might come from a thrift store rack—a distressed shirt for a character, a vintage period piece for a feature film or the perfect Vuori pants for a corporate campaign.

For the past six years, I’ve worked as a full-time freelance stylist and costume designer. Building a career rooted in instinct, collaboration and representation. My goal is always the same: create visuals that elevate a story and move the needle.

Based in Nashville, Indiana (yes—the artsy one), I split my time between styling shoots, hiking with my partner and our dogs, and remodeling our dream home.

I’m always looking to collaborate with creatives who want to push boundaries and bring fresh, inclusive perspectives to their work.

For inquiries, please contact:
christian@estilistacollective.studio
(812) 360-8687