Meet TATIANA ARIAS | Fashion Stylist & Creative Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with TATIANA ARIAS and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi TATIANA, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?                                                                                                    As a business owner, I remember the struggle of having to learn it all. I wanted help, but had no idea where to look. I remember wasting $4000 of my budget on hiring a business consultant…. To offer me nothing more than a twenty page business plan and a three year financial projection- it was waste of time and money. So I started my business with hopes of helping other entrepreneurs start their businesses and offering my advice through personal experience. I work with brands and people to help tell their stories in a visual way. I go beyond the basics of concept, design and production, and include actually showing my clients how to build a powerful brand. Personal styling was something I
have always done, but I finally decided to take styling seriously and set some goals. I wanted to be published in magazines, work with larger companies and to take it a step further in creative direction ; I started offering more services. Working for an agency gave me the expertise I needed in brand development and production. Often times clients reached out to me for photoshoots or to collaborate on campaigns and they would have no direction on the process or how to start. This is how creative consulting came into play- by helping others to create intentional, yet impactful branding.
My work spans across different industries- from fashion brands and helping to develop distinctive and engaging content for social media, to working with artists on special events and P.R. campaigns, and even working with boutiques and small business owners on digital strategy and web campaigns.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
– Her style is edgy yet refined aesthetic sensibility. characterized by a savage instinct and also an elegant attitude.

Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?
I think taking risks is necessary. Live your life, stuff happens (If it doesn’t work out then it’s not meant for you, something bigger and better is coming) and I’ve learned to always trust your gut. The only thing we know in life that is
for certain is, “Things are about to change.” To make a long story short, the biggest risk I have taken in my life was moving to Miami to what I thought would be … the beginning of my fashion career. It was NOT haha. But I ended up
consulting for a medical device company, which led me to having equity in the company. I even developed two more companies of my own. This experience wasn’t necessarily what I wanted to do, but it was risks like these that ended
up being the most impactful on my life. Running and operating a business in the medical industry wasnt the career I would have chosen for myself, but it was aligning me with the woman I have always wanted to be- a business woman. In the end, I definitely learned a lot and it taught me how to run a business- for myself, and how to help others do the same.

How did you come up with the idea for your business/ brand?
I started my very first fashion blog in 2013, I believe, and offered personal styling on the side. I created my first business card with TATIANA TALISA STYLING and a single photo of my great grandmother, which was who I idolized. Perception plays a role in perceived brand value. When I decided to create my brand for consulting and styling, I thought about how I would want to be seen and how I would want to present myself. Instantly my inspiration came from my abuelita (grandmother). I have always been very proud of my Nicaraguan roots, and my family’s history. To me, my abuelita had so much style and grace, and that showed me how to have the confidence as the woman I have today. It was only necessary to have her portrait painted as my brand “image”. The fact that it is a
painting and not a photo is quality to me. I wanted her portrait to represent a sense of elegance and class. This helped me to create my story and my brand aesthetic, one that implements my value to my customers. Creating this distinct look was authentic, it reflects who I really am, and most importantly, it represents the quality of what I do, and shows this to other clients. It’s so funny, I remember wanting to collaborate with other creatives, and producers turning me down saying no with responses like, “you are too classy,” or, “are you sure this aligns with your aesthetic/brand image to work with us?” It is bitter sweet thing that my image is so strong (hair flip lol), But at the end of the day I am here to help others give their values a visual. Oh and about STYLE METTA- originally I thought Style Me TTA ( TTA which stood for my initials), but then FB just introduced ‘Meta’ and I was ALL about the metaverse at the time and virtual styling, so I was definitely digging the acronym. Finally, I actually googled METTA and the meaning … and my brand was reborn as STYLE METTA.

Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?
What are you inspired by?
I am inspired by beauty and narrative- Shadows, movement, aesthetics, lighting, architecture, authenticity,
atmosphere, clean lines, community, culture, innovation, art and history.
What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?
My aesthetic sensibility and ability to see things from a different perspective. I feel like I am very perceptive and the
success of any project comes when my clients can have that same shared vision as me.
But overall it is my character I owe to my success. I am humble and empowering, always supporting others around
me so they can thrive. I choose transparency and positivity. I am determined. I’m vibrant, a little superficial, meaning I
take things as they come, and I have a sense of humor. Lightness – that’s what you need in your life.

What advice do you have for others?
It is very important to stay true to your aesthetic and style. Don’t copy others. Be authentic and be humble. You may
need to be vulnerable and share your story from the beginning. But this .. this narrative.. is what people relate to and
that will create and organic following for you- following you through your journey and success since day one 🙂

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to the proper for drinks and to Native Hostel to go dancing 🙂 I do like to party but I like my outtings to be intimate. A good group of people and dinner at a nice place is perfect for me.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Bijou Finney @mushroommamasita https://www.storyxstyle.com

Website: www.stylemetta.com

Instagram: @style.metta

Image Credits
(last image ) BON VIVIANN Holiday Campaign creative direction: @style.metta Photographer : @callmecommon portrait / studio photos . Photographer : @marshallmoonphoto