After graduating high school, I began working at Betsey Johnson as a stylist and sales associate. Having never worked in retail before, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of such an iconic fashion brand. After all, who wouldn’t love spending their days surrounded by sparkling kitten heels and playful cupcake dresses — pieces that had graced red carpets and been worn by celebrities like Rihanna, Rachel Zoe, and Katy Perry?

Not long after I started, Karen Buscemi, editor of Detroit’s StyleLine magazine, visited the store to source outfits for an upcoming photoshoot. Excited by the chance to get involved, I offered to help in any way I could. Soon after, I was invited to join the shoot as a styling assistant, ensuring the Betsey Johnson pieces were styled in true “Betsey” fashion— bold, fun, and unapologetically expressive.

That experience opened the door for me to become a return assistant on additional photoshoots, further developing my eye for styling and editorial work. On one memorable occasion, I even stepped in as a background model, photographed by Dan Lippitt, the renowned Detroit photographer known for his work in major publications.