Interview: Kit Scarbo

Imani Waddy

Kit Scarbo, Los Angeles-based designer and stylist

By Catherine Wright

An interview with Los Angeles based designer, celebrity stylist, and etnies collaborator.

If you think you have seen her before then you probably have. Kit Scarbo (designer, stylist, collaborator) is so busy running from one studio lot to the next, you've likely crossed paths with her at one time or another. A natural born multitasker who credits much of her success to the businesses and resources of Downtown, Kit makes working without a day off look easy. I caught up with her in the E! News wardrobe room one day to talk shop and find out what she does on her downtime (turns out she doesn't have any).

Bunker Hill: How did you get into fashion?

Kit Scarbo: I took the long road. I actually was going to go to college for veterinary studies…until I worked at a vet clinic! I simultaneously won an art scholarship for the summer to the Laguna Beach Art Institute and those classes changed my life. I fell in love with figure drawing and signed up at an art college in Marina Del Rey. After a year there, I transferred to F.I.T. in New York and then on to Polimoda in Florence, Italy for two years. I came back to L.A. broke and sold my senior collection to Jack Henry Couture where I got lots of press and clients from the exposure. So that got the styling and costume designing ball rolling. I met Samantha Harris through the Jack Henry shop and I began dressing her at E!

Bunker Hill: You were a contestant on Project Runway, how did that come about and how did the show affect your career?

Kit Scarbo: I am a Gen-Art alum and they were part of the audition panel for the show. They asked me to come out a couple seasons and I finally did Season 4 and got picked! Being on the show was a crazy, amazing ride. Luckily, I received a significant fan base from my "character" (laughs) and was able to move forward with other design opportunities through the notoriety.

Bunker Hill: Is that how you got involved with skate brand etnies?

Kit Scarbo: Well, teen girls really reached out to me during and after the show; I really connect with them. Etnies was one of the companies that noticed and wanted to bring me into their girl's division. They were doing a collection with bows and had me on their inspiration board in the office…from all those Tarina hair bows I was wearing on the show! One designer thought it'd be cool if I collaborated with their girl's division to make a capsule collection of kicks, fleece, and accessories, and it was! Etnies is awesome about their culture collaborations with other artists and riders. I'm stoked to be a part of their amazing family and the street scene of the community.

Bunker Hill: So what exactly are you up to now? You seem so busy!

Kit Scarbo: I am feeling quite blessed lately. I haven't had a day off in six weeks! It's awesome! I style at E! News and E! News Now, dressing Michael Yo, Kristina Guerrero, Amy Paffrath, and Melana Scantlin. I am also working on this season of Dancing With The Stars, dressing a fun bunch: Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, Len Goodman, and Tom Bergeron. I have also been working with the Rock of Ages band and dancers, dressing them for their TV appearances (they were just recently on America's Got Talent and The Tonight Show). I have other private clients as well.

Outside of styling, I design my capsule collection with etnies Girl and showed my personal collection in New York last fall season; Etnies sponsored me at their Soho showroom basement gallery. Oh! I also host a web show for Teen.com called "Craft Club," where I teach the fashionable youth techniques to create trend items of the season.

Bunker Hill: What is the favorite part of your job?

Kit Scarbo: The best part is seeing the finished product on TV or magazines and the images of my clients on the red carpet. Or seeing my etnies RSS high kicks in the sneaker trend page of Lucky Mag! I'm deeply invested in all of my clients and their happiness is my utmost importance and fulfillment.

Bunker Hill: And from one fashion-obsessed person to another, I have to ask: what fashion trends do you love and what would you like to see go?

Kit Scarbo: I do love harem pants and Ray Bans but I cannot stand when L.A. dudes wear beanies in the summer. Thank goodness it's finally fall!

ADVERTISEMENT