Fame without shame is a series of workshops dedicated to teaching aspiring stylists exactly how to start and maintain a successful career in wardrobe styling. Fame without shame covers every aspect of the art and business of wardrobe styling while also giving students hands-on experience—both on set and in the field. Unlike typical fashion schools, Fame without shame teaches students everything they need to know about getting started in the business in a short period oftime and at a fraction of the cost. In addition, they connect their students with internship and job opportunities with some of L.A.'s and New York's most recognized stylists. Celebrity stylist Luke Storey and personal stylist Lauren Messiah lead aspiring stylists through the series of courses at Smashbox Studios in Los Angeles and at the Ace Hotel in Manhattan. FAULT: What got you two interested in styling in the first place? LUKE: When I was a kid I would buy music. based on how a band dressed. I would browse the record bins for hours until I spotted a "cool" looking band photo on a record jacket. Then, later on, I started playing in bands myself and always ended up being the "stylist" on our shoots. I always felt that artists like David Bowie or The New York Dolls would've been shit if they'd dressed like plumbers, no matter how exciting their music happened to be. So I was interested in the art of fashion as it related to rock 'n' roll long before I ever new what a stylist was. LAUREN: I've been interested in fashion since I was five years old. I always thought I wanted to be a fashion designer, but after studying it in college and then trying to get a job in that industry, I realised styling was more my speed. The idea of being able to transform people through styling is pretty powerful stuff, and it makes me really happy. Tell us a little about how Fame without shame began. LUKE:
After 10 years in the styling trenches, I realized that I had accumulated some very valuable information and experience, and that there were now thousands of people who were interested in styling but had nowhere to turn 10 learn the trade. This had become even more apparent thanks to the popularity and celebrity status of some stylists themselves. Basically, I identified a public demand and provided a very rare portal into the world of styling for people who would have otherwise had no way of breaking the code and getting into the industry. To this day, we are the only fashion school that I'm aware of that teaches this information without any censorship, and actually helps its graduates to find work once they complete their studies. Why did you join the Fame without shame team? LAUREN: I actually started as a student! After taking the class, I realized Luke was sitting on a gold mine. I had some experience working for start-ups and offered my expertise free of charge. We ended up hitting it off, and we've been working together building this awesome thing called Fame without shame ever since. And yes, now I get paid. Are you the instructors of the courses, or do you just run the school? LUKE: Lauren and I teach all Of the classes ourselves. The classes are based on our own personal experiences and individual business models. We do, however, have some amazing guest speakers come in to help bring difTerent perspectives. We just had the talented B. Akerlund II-ady Gaga, Madonna, Fergie] come speak. B. has been a mentor for many of our graduates, so it was really powerful for our students to learn from her directly. What has been your most memorable experience as a stylist? LUKE: I would have to say working with Marilyn Mason for the past few years. There have been many late nights and memorable experiences it has been a roller coaster ride of creative expression, to say the least. It also afforded me the opportunity to work with London's own Gareth Pugh, which was a dream for me. LAUREN: Going to London to shoot the Westfield Mall campaign. Instead of being behind the camera as the stylist, I was the stylist in front of the camera! It was such a cool experience, and I got to be on TV, so there's that. Do you think your personal style has changed throughout your career? LUKE: Not really. I've pretty much had the same style since 1986: black skinny jeans, black T-shirt, black leather jacket landl black sneakers. The only change has been the label inside and—most notably—the price! The Levi's jeans became Dior Homme, the Hanes T-shirt became Raf Simons, the jacket became Rick Owens and the Chuck Taylors became I-anvin. I do occasionally wear a blazer or something a bit more proper if the occasion calls for it. LAUREN: Yes! When I first came in I was all pink and sparkly, and my biggest designer splurge was Betsey Johnson. Today I dress much edgier. Being exposed to such a cool industry has really refined my taste. It has also removed most of the money from my wallet! I am all about Givenchy and Balenciaga now. The inevitable question — what is your FAULT? LUKE: Going absolutely mental when any or the following don't function properly: my computer, phone, GPS,TV, [and/or] camera, in that order. Deaths in the family and tax audits are child's play for my nelwes of steel, but when the gear goes to shit, so does my brain. LAUREN: Working myself to the bone. I am definitely a workaholic. So when I'm tired and cranky, it's no one's FAULT but my own. 29 Summer 2012 / The Underground Issue
After 10 years in the styling trenches, I realized that I had accumulated some very valuable information and experience, and that there were now thousands of people who were interested in styling but had nowhere to turn 10 learn the trade. This had become even more apparent thanks to the popularity and celebrity status of some stylists themselves. Basically, I identified a public demand and provided a very rare portal into the world of styling for people who would have otherwise had no way of breaking the code and getting into the industry. To this day, we are the only fashion school that I'm aware of that teaches this information without any censorship, and actually helps its graduates to find work once they complete their studies. Why did you join the Fame without shame team? LAUREN: I actually started as a student! After taking the class, I realized Luke was sitting on a gold mine. I had some experience working for start-ups and offered my expertise free of charge. We ended up hitting it off, and we've been working together building this awesome thing called Fame without shame ever since. And yes, now I get paid. Are you the instructors of the courses, or do you just run the school? LUKE: Lauren and I teach all Of the classes ourselves. The classes are based on our own personal experiences and individual business models. We do, however, have some amazing guest speakers come in to help bring difTerent perspectives. We just had the talented B. Akerlund II-ady Gaga, Madonna, Fergie] come speak. B. has been a mentor for many of our graduates, so it was really powerful for our students to learn from her directly. What has been your most memorable experience as a stylist? LUKE: I would have to say working with Marilyn Mason for the past few years. There have been many late nights and memorable experiences it has been a roller coaster ride of creative expression, to say the least. It also afforded me the opportunity to work with London's own Gareth Pugh, which was a dream for me. LAUREN: Going to London to shoot the Westfield Mall campaign. Instead of being behind the camera as the stylist, I was the stylist in front of the camera! It was such a cool experience, and I got to be on TV, so there's that. Do you think your personal style has changed throughout your career? LUKE: Not really. I've pretty much had the same style since 1986: black skinny jeans, black T-shirt, black leather jacket landl black sneakers. The only change has been the label inside and—most notably—the price! The Levi's jeans became Dior Homme, the Hanes T-shirt became Raf Simons, the jacket became Rick Owens and the Chuck Taylors became I-anvin. I do occasionally wear a blazer or something a bit more proper if the occasion calls for it. LAUREN: Yes! When I first came in I was all pink and sparkly, and my biggest designer splurge was Betsey Johnson. Today I dress much edgier. Being exposed to such a cool industry has really refined my taste. It has also removed most of the money from my wallet! I am all about Givenchy and Balenciaga now. The inevitable question — what is your FAULT? LUKE: Going absolutely mental when any or the following don't function properly: my computer, phone, GPS,TV, [and/or] camera, in that order. Deaths in the family and tax audits are child's play for my nelwes of steel, but when the gear goes to shit, so does my brain. LAUREN: Working myself to the bone. I am definitely a workaholic. So when I'm tired and cranky, it's no one's FAULT but my own. 29 Summer 2012 / The Underground Issue
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