GigSesh Profile: Liz Teich

Everyone creative, stylish and social media obsessed dreams of a career as an Instagram fashion influencer and style blog writer. But how do you create content people love, build a following and turn these dreams into a lucrative reality? Also known as The Brooklyn Stylist, Liz Teich, a successful stylist, fashion influencer and blogger knows a thing or two. We’ll let her do the talking:

GS: You’ve worked in fashion for a while, did you always know this was the industry for you?

LT: I always knew fashion would play an integral part of my life. I was making clothing for my Barbies and dressing my friends in costumes for as long as I could remember. My mom made all of my clothes growing up, my father currently owns more clothing than I do, my sister is also a fashion stylist and my cousin founded a major fashion label, so it was definitely in the blood. I studied fashion for 3 years in high school, went to RISD for a pre-college fashion program and interned at a clothing line, so I was on track for a career in fashion, but I ended up getting a BFA in advertising design at Syracuse University to make sure I had a well-rounded background. I became an art director before I ended up in styling, so it was helpful to experience the other side of the industry, which I think makes me a stronger fashion stylist.

GS: Where do you get inspiration for your personal style and designs?

LT: My late mother is my number one style icon. I have photo albums of her outfits through the 60s and 70s that were a huge influence on my own style. She was one part hippie boho but also 70s chic with red lipstick and tons of gold jewelry. I also seek influence from icons like Jane Birkin, Brigitte Bardot, Lauren Hutton, Stevie Nicks, and even modern day icons like the Olsen twins, Linda Rodin, and Kate Moss. I also love getting inspiration from the fashionable women on the streets of my home in Brooklyn.

GS: How does a large social media audience affect the content you post?

LT: Social media has connected me to so many people and brands that I probably wouldn’t have with just a career as a stylist. It also helps to create interactions that drive my content and connections.

GS: What advice do you have for anyone working to become an influencer for a niche market?

LT: The biggest thing I found that helps grow your brand as an influencer is interaction with both your audience and brands. I’ve reached out to brands I discovered through social media and requested to collaborate. I’ve also connected with other bloggers and influencers that I probably wouldn’t have before and then when I run into them at events, it’s like we already know each other. Sometimes it establishes amazing relationships and you never know what it could lead to. I connected with a pretty impressive creative director on social media that I worked with years ago, but lost touch. Not long after that, he hired me to style for a major beauty brand and also to be the spokesperson of a huge fashion brand. It happened because he loved what I was doing as an influencer and stylist on my social media.

Are you an aspiring stylist or working on building an influence on social media? Teich is one of many GigSesh experts with advice about the fashion industry, how to become a social media influencer and what it takes to build a successful personal brand. Check out our Expert Page for information about our other experts or schedule a tall with Teich today.