The city’s fashion community shows surprising feats in Los Angeles, where wildfires have forced thousands from their homes. From stylists and designers to creators, all use their expertise to help rebuild survivors’ sense of self and wardrobes.
Elizabeth Stewart: A Stylist on a Mission
Celebrity stylist Elizabeth Stewart, who dressed Hollywood stars like Cate Blanchett and Viola Davis on red carpets, was working in recovery. Stewart has since been tirelessly organizing donations to assist those without anything.
Stewart is working from a growing collection of clothes as she prepares to open a warehouse where survivors can ‘shop’ for new wardrobes. She is packing out suitcases tailored to specific needs for those unable to visit in person.
Stewart’s effort extends well beyond giving the basics. We are trying to help people start rebuilding their closets forever, and we focus more on high-quality clothing that can lift spirits and help people feel normal again.
The Role of Style in Recovery
Secondarily, clothing may seem unimportant in the face of disaster, but its psychological importance can not be overstated. Turned upside down, looking good can help people feel good. “Even with their homes gone, these people are still living their lives,” Stewart says. “They want to put something on and feel like themselves again.”
Avery Colvert, a 14-year-old who started a donation site to help teenage wildfire victims in Altadena, echoes this sentiment. She wants to make it feel special, not impersonal, when we receive donations.
The Power of Connection: Stylists Mobilize
Stylists from across Los Angeles are leveraging their networks to meet the needs of wildfire survivors:
- With a history of outfitting large-scale productions, Lana Jay Lackey is using her organizational skills to support nearly 200 families. She has compiled databases filled with recipients and ensures every donation.
- A digital creator and thrift enthusiast, Macy Eleni is rebuilding vintage and designer wardrobes. She says clothing is a vessel for storytelling and healing, and she matches survivors with pieces that fit their style.
- Julia Rabinowitsch, a vintage sourcing business owner, helps families recover lost heirlooms. She was once friends with Bianca Jagger and worked with her as an artist and designer. Rabinowitsch has irreplaceable treasures with deep sentimental value, from a YSL crucifix bag to vintage Chanel loafers.
Communities and Brands Step Up
Fashion insiders and beyond have sounded support. Other stylists, like Jamie Mizrahi and Karla Welch, have volunteered at brands and vintage stores nationwide and donated clothing. Retailers like Ragz and Relics in Nashville and Los Angeles Voulez Vous, who have contributed vintage gems, survivors receive as meaningful but functional items as possible.
A Long Road Ahead
The immediate need for clothing is pressing, but rebuilding lives and closets will take years. You are at the point where you have no beginning because you have lost everything.
The fashion community’s lesson on how creativity and compassion can be powerful was well taken. Restoring hope is more than putting together wardrobes. It involves helping survivors dress for the future. If you want to learn more about the Suki Waterhouse Keeps ’70s Glam Rock Alive in Winter Chic, Read on.
Ava Thompson is a fashion stylist and trend forecaster, bringing you the latest in fashion tips, outfit inspirations, and style guides to elevate your wardrobe.
