If you love fashion and window-shopping, the idea of “window shopping” someone’s closet…virtually, is somewhat novel. Most of the modern world would produce names like Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian on first thought. But in the celebrity sphere of authentic, relatable figures such as California’s own fashion mogul, Chrisa Pappas mix style with branding strategy.
An enthusiastic influencer, socialite, and fashionista by day, Pappas is a mother of two and wife by night. With almost 100,000 loyal followers on her Instagram page, Pappas is also the host of several social media platforms, blogs, a YouTube channel, and her very own Chrisa Pappas brand.
Behind the Rack With Chrissa Pappas
For some, a fulfilling lifestyle and career is almost unattainable. In an age in which the economy and the complicated dynamics associated with modern income has diluted the idea of the “American Dream,” it can become difficult to imagine that a passion could be a business, and that one could spend their time working in an industry they love.
Very few have reached this level of satisfaction with their day to day and been able to successfully make money from their crafts. But with quick research into the world of social media, we were able to find model examples of this ideal life.
As for Pappas, she’s not your average fashion blogger. Oh, she’s so much more than that.
Why do you ask?
She doesn’t live in a global fashion city like New York, Paris, or Milan.
Straight out of Sacramento, California, Pappas blogs and shares clothing and accessories that she owns personally — so you won’t find any sponsored posts by certain brands.
If you were to visit Pappas’ Instagram page and website, you will find that her boutique is straight out of her personal collection of clothing, including an assortment of accessories, dresses, jackets, and tops.
Once Pappas has sold the bulk of her “closet,” she donates a portion of which to charity.
And for the fashion enthusiast paying a visit to Pappa’s “closet,” this is a very real opportunity to see how each and every one of us has the ability to turn our dreams into a reality.
Related: The Normalization of Massive, Luxurious Makeup Collections is Ruining Your Wallet
Grit Daily spoke with Pappas about why she has chosen to portray herself as one of the most original, authentic, and unique fashion bloggers out there.
Once a young graduate from Boston University with an architecture degree, Pappas never thought she would be able to make it in the high end luxury fashion industry. But over the course of the last few years, Chrisa’s fame and influence has continued to grow rapidly.
With an aim towards bringing sophistication, elegance, and fun into the average household, she bridges the gap between the normal and the extraordinary in the design world. And with this goal in mind, the fashion blogger is living out her dream.
Grit Daily: What was the strategy behind staying true to yourself and your brand…literally, at the expense of accepting brand sponsorships?
Chrisa Pappas: To be honest, I didn’t have a strategy when I started so I was saying yes to opportunities because they seemed new and exciting. I realized that I was being pulled in too many different directions and felt like I was spread very thin. I wasn’t happy with the quality of the work I was providing. I ended up taking some time to realign myself with why I originally started this. So now my strategy is that every time I receive an opportunity I ask myself if It is something that is truly authentic to my vision and self. I know it’s very simple but it helps puts things into perspective very quickly.
GD: When brands like Chanel, Fendi, Hermes, etc. reach out to you to work with you, what do you usually tell them, and why?
CP: It really depends, but I always want them to know that being authentic to myself is the most important part of any collaboration with any brand. When I work with a brand, I need the freedom to incorporate my style into that partnership.
I would never tell others what to buy or how to spend their money. My followers are smart, sophisticated and savvy. They know that in this new retail environment, there are many options available to them and they are in control. I’m here to share my style, knowledge, and experiences so my followers can have all the tools available to them to make informed decisions.
I also tell brands that I can give them an insight into what their clients go through and I think both clients and brands appreciate that.
GD: We love seeing influential female entrepreneurs such as yourself on the rise. What would you consider to be the most challenging and exciting parts your journey?
CP: I think the most challenging part of this journey are the haters. It can really derail you, especially some haters that you thought were your friends. Then I remember that for every hater there are 10 people supporting & cheering me on and there’s nothing better than that!
The most exciting part of this journey is being able to meet such amazing and fascinating people from all over the world. I never get tired of that.
GD: To all the haters and naysayers out there who have ever told you no, or maybe not taken you as seriously as you would have liked, what do you want them to know?
CP: For the haters, I’d say don’t waste your time being negative or judgmental. It won’t get you anywhere you’ll be happy with.
To people who didn’t take me seriously…Email me if I have been able to change your mind…I hold no grudges 🙂
GD: To those following in your footsteps, who love showing off their personal collection to their community, what tips or advice do you have for them when getting started?
CP: I’m sure you’ve heard this before but I’ll say it one more time. It is all very fabulous but you have to remember that it is actually a lot of work. No one is just handing out these opportunities, you have to put the work in.
It’s exhausting, competitive, emotional, and stressful but at the end of the day, it is all worth it if you are doing something you love. Stay true to yourself and keep the people who have your back very close by.
Looking for the Never-Before-Seen Design
Getting paid to show off her own unique looks with pieces from brands like Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and more, she makes a profit off of her very own eye for design.
For example, there was one picture that stuck out to us–where Pappas was posing with her very own Chanel LED purse. Never seen something like that before.
She can also boast several high profile relationships that have taken her to every corner of the world.
Stepping out into the streets of the fashion capitals of Europe, Asia, and North America, Pappas has shown up and shown out at events as big as Paris Fashion Week and the Cannes Film Festival.
As she gets invited to share the red carpet with celebrities like the Hadid sisters, Pappas may not be as well known outside of the California area, but at the rate she is bringing herself into the fashion thought-leader world, she soon will be.
Pappas has proven that work doesn’t have to be work at all. She turned her love for design into a business of luxury styling, advising, and influencing, and she won’t soon leave the fashion scene.
But in no time at all, Chrisa Pappas will not only be bringing luxury fashion into the contemporary household, she’ll be a household name herself.
