From Seinfeld to Chaka Khan, this Celebrity Stylist Revels in Eclectic Inspirations
Take a peek into celebrity stylist Jasmine Benjamin’s closet and you'll see all her eclectic influences at a glance. There is some Jean Paul Gaultier, some Jacquemus, some Helmut Lang. There are pieces by Eckhaus Latta that remind her of her hippie parents who spent the 1960s living on a San Francisco commune. And there are sharp, early ’90s-style suits and colorful, printed separates that could have been worn by her favorite TV heroines, Whitley Gilbert from A Different World and Seinfeld’s Elaine Benes.
Based in Los Angeles, Benjamin has developed a major reputation for styling a diverse range of clients from Miguel (with whom she worked for half a decade) to Adam Pally and the singer Anderson .Paak. Her sense of fashion was informed by her upbringing in Northern California. While studying at L.A.’s Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, she interned for Interscope Records and helped emerging artists craft their image. That gave her invaluable experience, exposing her to top celebrity stylists within the music world. Eventually, in the mid-2000s she landed a gig as Chaka Khan’s assistant, launching her career.
Today, Benjamin’s typical day begins early with breakfast and a little meditation. “After, I make sure I’m on top of the various projects I’m managing. I’ll pull clothes from my go-to boutiques, or I’ll oversee custom pieces for performances, attend design meetings, plan fittings and shoots for the months ahead and, occasionally, I’ll attend an event in the evening.”
To stay zen amid the chaotic work schedule, Benjamin keeps healing crystals with her at all times. “My career brings so many different types of energies, so I need the crystals to keep me grounded and protected,” she says. “They are always in my pocket.” With these little gems close by, Benjamin feels always ready to play the think-on-your-feet role of a stylist to the stars. Below find out how she finds time to express her own style while making others look and feel effortlessly cool.
At Departmento.
“I am much more paired down these days in terms of accessories. I always carry my Prada Panier small Saffiano bag, which is usually packed with MAC lip conditioner, mushroom powder from Wylde One, supplements for extreme focus, green tea and some lotus eye gel by FRESH.”
At Bloom and Plume Coffee.
“A friend once described my style like this: 'You look like you’re ready for a vacation, a merger, and a fly girl opening dance routine.' That was the perfect description.”
At LA ROXX.
“I work on set so much and I really need to be comfortable. I am in sneakers most of the day. For a very long time I denied sneakers. Even in my New York days I would be in combat boots or heels on the train. I’ll wear heels to events during the evening but rarely for the work day.”
At my house.
“I buy at least one piece from Jacquemus each season. I think his designs are chic and sophisticated. They are easy, sexy pieces that fit in so well with my California lifestyle.”
Originally Appeared on Vogue
