Meet Cora Aversano | Wardrobe & Product Stylist

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

Hi Cora, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I believe risk is a very important part of your life. It gives you an opportunity to grow in a different way and really pushes you to get out of your comfort zone. Risk is an important factor in achieving the life that you dream of. A lot of times you don’t know the outcome of a decision you have to make and to choose involves a risk. Sometimes without risking it all we may never truly know what we are really made of and if you really want the life you’re dreaming of. Risk is what started my career as a stylist. I had no experience, I didn’t even really know what a stylist did other than putting outfits together. But for me I needed to know if that was truly some thing I wanted to do. I’ve always wanted to have a job that I truly loved even if it was difficult to achieve.In 2017, I gave myself a month to move to Los Angeles, where I didn’t know anyone but my 80 year old great aunt but I knew I had to make the leap. When I got there I called a stylist on repeat until she gave me an opportunity. I started as an intern then moved to an assistant stylist for a Netflix tv show. It was a pretty eye-opening experience. I would love to say that I dove into it head on and floated my way through it all loving every second, but really I sank and worst part about it is I kind of sank myself. I wasn’t sure if I really had what it would take to be a stylist. It took sometime and another jump back into the industry to see that I really loved styling. It’s all I wanted to do. I got to learn so much about the different styling types which dove me into my own career in it. The risk of the first jump into styling prompted me into the second. It actually showed me what I needed to make a career out of it. It showed me the thick skin I needed, the experience, and the knowledge. If I could go back, I would risk it all again to have the career I have today.

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.
I don’t think when people hear the word art what I do comes to mind first. As a wardrobe and product stylist it’s been a process explaining to people the ins and outs of my job. It’s not a common one you hear of especially in Denver. But I would say there’s a lot of creativity behind it all. There is a mix of creating what a client is looking for as well as putting your own style to it. It has definitely not been an easy road to be where I’m at today in my career. I have had a lot of ups and downs especially with being freelance. There was one time in my life where I was working 4 separate jobs hoping that I could eventually be doing full time styling and I’m grateful to be there now. I think the biggest thing that I’ve learned through it all is keep going, if you love it it’s worth the challenges. Also it’s a huge learning process it’s OK to fail in it and grow from it, there are always lessons to learn and you’re not just gonna know how to do everything from the get go. As a stylist, I want to curate a detailed and expressive visual for each clients work. It’s about bringing to life what companies and brands have dedicated their time to producing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are a lot of amazing places to visit in Denver. For food, there is a place next to Union Station called Zoe Ma Ma which is by far a favorite of mine for a dinner spot. The best brunch would be Rupert’s at the Edge, next to Sloan’s Lake. It is a perfect place to eat and then hang out at the lake. A few drink places that I do really like for fun and different cocktails would be The Cruz room, The Tatarian, and William’s and Graham. One thing that I do love to go do if someone is visiting Denver and wants to go to the mountains for a day. I say go to Evergreen, hang out at the lake where you can even get a paddle board or canoe. Then there is a restaurant called the Lariat Lodge Brewing Co. that has good food and a great view of the mountains.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to shoutout my uncle Victor, a man of many talents who always pursued what he loved. He was an artist, dancer, actor, pretty much anything you could think of he was good at. Not only did he always worked hard to accomplish his goals, he made sure to always smile and laugh. He was deciated to making those around him happy, you can see it in all his work. From his paintings to his dancing it always involved making others smile. He had many ups and downs in his career and life but you wouldn’t have known. He looked at the bright side and laughed his way through it all. His passion and love for his art is what made me want to build my career as a stylist. He passed away in 2019 and reminded me why you choose to follow your dreams and the importance of living a joyful life.

The other person I would love to shoutout is my sister Carrie. Since I was little she has encouraged me through each part of life. She has looked out for me and been by my side in the ups and downs. I have letters and notes from her repeatedly reminding me of the woman I am and how important my life is. There is no one I trust more than her. I am truly blessed to have her as my sister. She is the one who drove me out to Los Angeles when I chose to move there for styling. I know that whatever life brings me she is in my corner. From each stage of her life I have seen her love the people around her and care for them. I wouldn’t be who I am today without her in my life.

Website: coraaversano.com

Instagram: @style_by_cora

Image Credits
Stephanie Mikuls – photographer Rachel Mathison – makeup artist Caroline Miller – photographer Talia Marquez – model Gabriel Thaxton – model Justin Boots – company Marisa Ahola – model Josh Pruitt – photographer Daja Herrera – makeup artist Cydney Staples – makeup artist James Mucker – hairstylist Keva VonRose – hairstylist Germany Tryels – model Alicia Myers – model Samantha Joseph – model Zoey Glow – makeup artist Keena – photographer Sheri Angeles – photographer Hali McGowan – makeup artist Amanda Zenaida – model