The talent and creativity of Lanzarote native Jose Caraballo (Tahíche, 1997) led him to Madrid to work in his passion, fashion styling, where he has been dressing actors and singers such as Nia Correia, María Pelae, Antonio Pagudo, or Alba Reche for three years. Since he was a child, he always liked clothes, so much so that he used to wear his mother's dresses. Furthermore, his friends always asked for his advice when shopping, although he confesses that over time he discovered what he wanted to dedicate himself to because "he didn't know what a stylist was".
After finishing high school, he decided to move to Madrid without knowing exactly what he was going to study. "That summer I decided to take a fashion course, but I realized that design wasn't for me, so I started studying Fine Arts at the Complutense University." Thanks to the freedom of the degree, through photography or design projects, Caraballo made them related to fashion.
Although the stylist emphasizes that, despite working in it, he is **still trying to break into this world and stay** in it because "it's very complicated." He says that after finishing his degree, he didn't know what he liked, although art direction caught his attention. "I spoke to people in the industry and did two projects related to it, but at first, it was all very difficult because you don't know how things work... and when I was an assistant, they gave me contacts and I researched on Instagram," he recalls.However, he realized that **being an assistant wasn't for him**. "I started doing editorials, photoshoots with models, and I contacted agencies and photographers to see if they wanted to collaborate to make a space for me in this world and grow," he says. After gaining that experience with photos in magazines, he began to approach more relevant professionals "to make music videos with singers or influencers."In this regard, he assures that in this world "the important thing is to make connections," since it is through recommendations and **word-of-mouth** that they learn about his work
The work of the fashion stylist
One of the most important points for fashion stylists when working with actors, singers, or influencers is communication. "You have to talk to them, but you also have to be a little interested in the style they're looking for, and as a professional, you know what might look good or bad on them," she explains.
"Many times, stylists have to put up with a lot and act a bit like psychologists because they tell you about their insecurities, so you have to take into account what they don't like, such as colors or clothing," she continues.
As a result of that knowledge, Caraballo passes on ideas for outfits, something that creates a feeling. "This connection between the client and the stylist is important; you have to know each other and feel that complicity for it to be reflected in the final result," she continues.
As a stylist works on editorials, they become familiar with so-called showrooms, exhibition rooms where clothing manufacturers and sellers present their products to clients or professionals. In many cases for singers or content creators, outfits for events or red carpets come from these spaces.
From Alba Reche to Antonio Pagudo
Despite Jose Caraballo's short career in the world of styling, he can already boast of having dressed big names such as singers Nia Correia, María Pelae, Chema Rivas, Cris Helia, or Alba Reche.
Also to actors Antonio Pagudo and Elea Rochera, to the influencer Jonan Wiergo and to the model Miguel Cobs. Furthermore, for a time he dressed the journalist, writer, and sex educator Noemí Casquet. However, his work is not only with celebrities, but also his own family has been a "victim" of his talent. "I did my Final Degree Project with photos of my family and I've done things with my father, I always went with him around the island so he could take pictures of me," he declares.
And it's that his father allowed himself to be dressed by Caraballo's creativity for a project in Lanzarote.
Regarding relationships with public figures, he states that sometimes some "don't want to pay or, if they do pay you, it's very little." "Sometimes, when you work with someone for the first time, you prefer to charge less to gain experience, but once you have a track record, you raise your rates," he says. "There are times when **from the beginning they ask if it can be free**, but creativity has a price," he defends.And the stylist's job involves talking to showrooms, sending many emails, picking up clothes with suitcases, trying them on the client, going to the event day, and being present. "On music video shoots, you can be there for up to 14 hours," he states
On the other hand, the likability of singers like the Canarian Nia Correia stands out. "I had no preconceptions because they always speak very highly of her, but she surprised me for the better; she's very humble and down-to-earth, which is something to be appreciated," she assures.
However, on other occasions, he has worked with celebrities who have been the complete opposite. "There are also people who are very full of themselves and treat you terribly," he reveals
Lack of fashion projects in Lanzarote
Jose Caraballo says that at first he complained a lot about Lanzarote due to the lack of projects on the island. "I had to start in Madrid, but I've already done some projects in Lanzarote, like a campaign for Hermès or a styling course last summer," he says.
The stylist expresses that he would like more fashion projects to be made on the island. "Sometimes you don't feel very supported, although it's true that in Lanzarote they don't know me as well because I grew as a professional in Madrid," he concludes.
