This conversation started because Erica's work has this Slim Aarons glow that I can't stop thinking about. I'm grateful to Erica for being open to this conversation. We discuss how she got here, what she's looking at, LA, Bala, bodies, color, animal prints, and cocktails.
How did you start styling? What were you looking at back then?
I actually stumbled into styling by total accident. I’ve always used fashion as a form of self expression, but when I moved to LA at 20, I didn't realize wardrobe stylist was a career path. I was lucky enough to meet a few mentors who recognized my eye for detail and pointed me in this direction. Looking back, it’s amazing how others can see a spark in you before you recognize it yourself.
Your work reminds me of Slim Aarons. Is that a reference for you, or does LA just do that to people?
That’s a huge compliment! I’ve always loved his use of color and how iconic his scenes feel. But really, LA does a lot of the heavy lifting... it’s hard to stay away from that aesthetic when the California light is blaring down.
What are your references? Who are you looking at when you're styling?
I always first ask What do I want it to FEEL like? If this look were a song, what would it be? Once I have that mood and a few core words in my mind, the visual references are much easier to find. I’m also obsessed with how film and runway fashion can define an aesthetic. I love visualizing iconic characters and collections to influence the energy I’m trying to create.
Walk me through your styling choices in the Bala x Emilio Pucci collaboration. What were you going for?
The vision was timeless nostalgia meets modern play. We wanted to honor the bold, artistic legacy of Pucci while keeping the styling true to Bala’s core aesthetic. We basically wanted the viewer to feel like they were stepping into a chic, high color vintage postcard that still felt relevant today.
The bodybuilder concept for Bala reminds me of Helmut Newton's "Big Nudes." Was that a reference? How did you approach styling it?
I actually didn't style that specific shoot myself, but seeing it was such a proud moment for me. It was incredibly rewarding to see other creatives take the art direction I’ve established for Bala and interpret it so perfectly. Newton’s 'Big Nudes' is such a powerful reference, and the fact that they saw that connection tells me the brand's visual identity is exactly where it needs to be.
You use so much color. How do you know when it's right versus when it's too much?
It’s definitely a gut feeling! I’m a big believer in more is more until it starts to feel chaotic or distracting. I always check to make sure the person is wearing the clothes, and not the other way around. To me, color is so powerful…I honestly feel a bit naked without it.
Animal prints. What's your take on them?
There’s an inherent power in animal prints. I’ve always felt that they represent a certain kind of strength and confidence that every woman should feel… that bold, unapologetic energy.
What’s your favorite cocktail?
Extra spicy mezcal marg. Yeehaw
If you could go through someone's closet, living or dead, and style them in their own clothes, who would it be and what would you pull?
Grace Jones. She is forever inspiration. She mastered the art of wearing wild, avant-garde silhouettes but somehow made it feel effortless. I would head straight for her headpieces and accessories. Absolutely iconic.
