Erin Noël

While working in the retail industry for over a decade, Erin Noël got to know celebrity stylists and costume designers. After heading west in 2008 for a job opportunity, she would later assist celebrity stylist Joseph Cassell for two years before a bad car accident a few years ago forced her to focus on recovering from her injuries.

During that time, her position had been filled and she wanted more than the other position available. So, she began building her own brand, although that was not her original intention. “It was a lot of work and I fell into it because of my circumstances,” said Noël, who grew up in Bloomfield Hills and Beverly Hills and attended Groves High School.

“I come from a family of five kids and I really thrive in an environment with people. I’m an extrovert, so I had to switch my mindset. I didn’t need to work on a team to have interaction. What I was looking for was already inside me as an entrepreneur.”

Now on her own, the Los Angeles-based celebrity fashion stylist /creative consultant and designer can find inspiration on Instagram, Pinterest or a piece of art in a museum. Even a paint color can translate into fashion.

Though Noël stays current, she doesn’t follow trends. “I’m more concerned about how something looks on someone’s body than trying to fit them into a trendy outfit,” she said. “I love to take an aspect of a trend and put my own spin on it.”

Favorite moments include the iHeartRadio event where she was dressing Tanya Rad, co-host with Ryan Seacrest on KIIS FM, and singer-songwriter Jordin Sparks, a former American Idol winner.

“It was a really fun day running back and forth and catering to both clients (in a venue) where Taylor Swift and the Jonas Brothers were performing,” she said. “You get to be a part of all of these experiences in places you would normally not get to be.”

She admires her clients like Candace Cameron Bure of Full House fame who she considers a friend like many others. “She knows who she is and she knows her brand. Whether she’s producing or acting, she’s always very focused and driven,” she said.

Noël, whose client list includes Peta Murgatroyd, Olivia Holt and Madison Beer, said her retail background taught her how to dress different body types and put outfits together. She describes her personal style as classic and feminine. “I like to have a statement-making sleeve or piece of jewelry,” she said.

In her field, the pressure never ends. “When it intensifies, I just roll with it,” said Noël. She enjoys all aspects of her work, from lifestyle and brand images to red carpet events and editorial assignments.

Since her industry came to a full stop early on in the pandemic, she feels very fortunate to be working. “It taught me that I don’t need to stress as much as I did before and that there are other things I can do with my gift.”

Her recent loungewear collaboration with Elegantees highlights their mission in Nepal to help survivors of human trafficking and provide them with employment at their sewing centers.

“You don’t have to shoot your shot into one place when you can dip your toes in other industries,” said Noël who has a style blog on her website (erinnoelcreative.com) and shares info on Instagram (@erinnoella). “What I love the most is developing relationships. I get to meet so many different people.”

Story: Jeanine Matlow