Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Oakes.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve loved fashion since I was a child. By fourth grade, I already had sketchbooks filled with designs and dreamed of becoming a fashion designer one day. But life took me in a different direction. I grew up in foster care until I was 18, and right out of high school I worked three jobs to support myself. In my early 20s, I became a mom, and providing for my son as a single mother and building a career took priority over pursuing my creative dreams.
It wasn’t until I was 35 that I was finally able to circle back to my passion. After getting married and finding more stability in my life, I felt ready to take the leap. What began organically—friends constantly borrowing pieces from my closet and encouraging me to get paid for styling—quickly grew into something bigger. I started styling individuals, musicians, and photo shoots, and before long, my work evolved into full creative direction and collaborations with national brands.
What started as a dream in my sketchbooks has now become my career, and I’m deeply grateful for the winding path that brought me here.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has definitely not been smooth. In the beginning, one of my biggest challenges was not having a formal background in fashion or creative direction. Everything I’ve learned has been through trial and error, persistence, and a willingness to put myself out there. I took on a lot of unpaid opportunities early on, which wasn’t easy, but those experiences gave me the foundation and credibility I needed to grow.
Even now, I face challenges—from balancing the creative side with the business side, to navigating rejection, to finding the right clients and collaborators who truly align with my vision. But I’ve found that every struggle has also been a stepping stone, and I try to approach each obstacle as part of the bigger journey toward building the career I once only dreamed of.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work as a fashion stylist and creative director, specializing in Western-inspired fashion with a modern, editorial edge. My work spans styling for musicians, brand campaigns, red carpet events, photo shoots, and custom designs, where I bring together wardrobe, vision, and storytelling to create a full visual impact.
What sets me apart is the way I combine my deep knowledge of Western culture with high-fashion sensibilities, making looks that feel both authentic and aspirational. I’m proud to have directed and styled national campaigns for brands like Jack Daniels, Dan Post Boots, and Silverbelly Whiskey. My proudest project to date is the Pendleton Whisky national campaign, which has not yet been released but was a milestone in my career. I’ve also styled for the CMA red carpet, and my work has been featured in publications such as Western Runway and Cowgirl Magazine. One personal highlight was styling a music video for Taela that ended up being featured on a Times Square billboard.
At the core of everything I do is a belief that fashion is more than just clothes—it’s a way to tell a story. Whether I’m working on an editorial campaign, a music video, or an individual client’s wardrobe, I aim to craft looks that express personality, brand identity, and emotion in a way that lingers with the audience.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe adaptability has been the most important quality in my success. In this industry, things rarely go exactly as planned—there are last-minute changes, unexpected challenges, and countless moving parts. Being able to stay calm, think creatively, and put out fires without losing focus has allowed me to keep projects moving forward and deliver results no matter the circumstances.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.laurenoakes.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauren.oakes_?igsh=MWoxaXp3M2xzY2dlbQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17GGAgy7ZA/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauren.oakes_?_t=ZT-90sovkHXXHD&_r=1
