FREDA WOMEN: BRIE WELCH

We are so excited to introduce our latest FREDA Girl, Brie Welch, whose personal style we all LOVE. When we decided to open our store in New York, we started thinking about our dream dinner guest list. We reached out to Brie and she was sweet enough to gather her group of incredible friends to welcome us to the city. See more of Brie's work for Atelier Doré.

Tell us about your childhood, growing up in California and your journey to today. Did you always know you wanted to be a stylist?

We moved to California when I was 6, and I lived there until I was 22 - so a west coast lifestyle really was a part of my formative years and helped shape who I am today. I grew up dancing, acting and performing - my mom would make my costumes and we would sew together little projects on the side. I think that informed my interest in clothing and so also in fashion as a whole. I went to college for clothing design and worked as an assistant designer for a few years before moving to New York, where I entered into many roles within the industry that helped get me to where I am today as a freelance stylist. I always thought I would be a designer or an actor, but ultimately I just want to be creative, and being hired as fashion editor for Garance, that sort of felt right. It encompassed everything I loved - the intricacies and frivolity of clothing, finding interesting people and getting to see it all come to fruition.

As a stylist and fashion director, is your personal style something you have always been confident in?
I’ve always had my own personal style, so whether that translates to confidence … perhaps?

A favorite piece that you own? Why is it so special to you?
Not sure I have a favorite piece, all of my clothes are quite practical and not fantastical. If anything it would be a three piece brown suit I owned as a 10 year old. That was cool.

What has been the most monumental moment in your life?
Moving to New York City.

Who is your style inspiration?
The men in Chinatown, Charlotte Rampling and Loulou De La Falaise.

Where do you find inspiration and how do you stay inspired?
I look to films and art photography for inspiration. Try to visit museums and see old films whenever I can - especially in other countries.

When do you feel the most creative? Do you have a morning ritual?
I suppose the morning? Weather permitting, I like to wake up, get a coffee and sit outside while reading the news and checking emails, mentally noting what to come back to. Then I try to do 10 minutes of stretching while listening to NPRs morning edition.

How do you define success?
When you have piece of mind.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Open up!