The HI team knows that style is personal.
From NYC to LA, our passion for fashion connects us, but our stylists’ signature touch and deep connection to their personal style make our team perfectly suited to helping our brides curate wedding weekend looks that feel totally tailored and uniquely them.
Meet LA Stylist Keely.
Los Angeles native Keely lends an artistic eye to the HI LA team. With degrees in studio art and art history from UCLA, she appreciates fashion as an art form and is, of course, an avid vintage collector.
After years of styling in the corporate fashion world, Keely took a beat to refocus on craft and develop her own line of hand-painted clothing. (As seen on Kendall Jenner, Emma Chamberlain, & more.) It's easy to see Keely's Betsey Johnson inspo and love of vintage pieces in her work.
Keely's keen eye for vintage made it a no-brainer when a friend connected her with Happy Isles.
Surrounded by beautifully unique vintage gowns, Keely loves getting to know our brides and their families, and helping brainstorm ways styling and tailoring can make their bridal wardrobe, and each piece, their very own.
Keely's personal style? Gaultier sun, Prada moon, Mackie rising. Which means edgier pieces with a touch of vintage glamour.
A combo that we can't wait to see come to life in her bridal era as the most recently engaged member of the HI team. ;)
What would you consider your signature work look?
Working at Happy Isles has let me flex my favorite muscle, getting dressed! I’ve always seen clothing as something to embolden or counteract my moods. Dress how you want to feel. Happy Isles is a place for fantasy, and I try to project that with what I’m wearing.
Practicality is a factor, but I am the kind of person who wouldn’t be caught dead in an outfit I’m not proud of. My signature look would probably be a halter top and knee-high boots!
Both in leather.
What are foundational items in your work wardrobe? Is there one piece you always reach for when you're scrambling to get out the door and don't know what to wear?
It’s always changing! I usually wake up with an idea or desire to wear something specific. And I'll spend some time figuring out what works. If I’m really stuck, I’ll put on a black midi skirt and go from there. Or pull out a fun dress and call it a day!
I've been in a tailoring phase recently, and I can always rely on a dinner jacket to make me feel put together. Other days call for jeans and a comfortable shoe. I would probably be voted most likely to wear a backless vest by the HI LA team!
Keely always gives us major shoe envy with her collection of flats & boots.
What core seasonal pieces do you rotate in?
The thing I probably rotate the most is shoes! Our weather is fairly consistent, but in the summer I live in flats. My favorite pair is the Martiniano Glove Shoe. I have more colors than I’m willing to admit. They are incredibly comfortable and go with any outfit!
What do you prioritize when you're getting dressed for work?
I am huge on mixing and matching and take a lot of pride in always wearing new combinations. It’s a game finding the perfect balance: an outfit that is completely put together but not over-engineered. I have favorite pieces I wear often but challenge myself to style them differently each time.
At every appointment, I get a chance to make someone smile with what I’m wearing. Or make them think about their own wardrobe differently. I never waste the opportunity!
Vintage florals with leather.
What is your fashion philosophy?
I think everyone should have fun getting dressed. Personally, it’s the light of my life!
I don’t think things have to be new or pristine to be enjoyed; probably 80% of my closet is secondhand. I have key silhouettes and colors I shop for, but I’m always expanding those boundaries. Half the fun is figuring out what works for you.
I hate gatekeeping. So when asked, I will always tell you exactly what I’m wearing, where I got it, and probably how much I paid for it! I’ve devoted my life to having a great outfit on and always want to spread the joy. (Here! Here!)
We love a sassy lil' top moment.
Everyone at HI is passionate about vintage – what kind of vintage pieces fill your closet? Certain eras or brands? What are your favorite items or brands to hunt for?
I think it’s safe to say most eras are visible in my closet. I love the ‘90s because there is a lot of nostalgia in design at that time, reinterpretations of all the fabulous things that came before.
I have designers I love and am always snooping around for: Prada and John Paul Gaultier are my big two. That being said, the best sweater I own is Kirkland brand from Costco, and I got it at Goodwill. I love a deal and am always exploring brands I think are underrated or just out of the trend cycle at the moment.
In my cart at any given time: a sassy top, good pants, a fun dress, and a pair of knee-high boots. I collect anything I know I will enjoy wearing.
What is your most treasured vintage piece?
An impossible question! I have things that are worn to death and others that I’ve preserved for the perfect occasion. My mother’s Ferragamo flats come to mind. I don’t remember us being the same shoe size, yet they fit me perfectly.
I find myself wearing them to work often, and putting them in every suitcase I pack. I love that they have a very small heel, making them comfortable and dressy. I’ve ordered other secondhand pairs trying to capture the magic, but they are never quite right.
They are priceless to me!
Fashion lovers all have one thing in common: a wishlist. What's on yours?
Something I’m always thinking about is jeans. If I’m wearing a playful top, I love to go simple with my bottoms. I’m currently fixated on dark wash, low-rise, straight-leg. I’ve done a lot of research, and here are my top picks!
