Today we’d like to introduce you to Kit Royce.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kit. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Haha, this question always makes me laugh because my path to where I am today is the classic “never in a million years” story because never in a million years would I have guessed I would end up where I am today- but I’m sure happy I did! I’ve loved fashion and makeup and beauty since I was in sixth grade, but as much as the creativity of fashion and makeup drew me in I never considered myself a “creative”. I always was a “science gal” and knew that I would go to school for that, which is how I ended up with my degree in dietetics, haha. As random as that sounds, it actually helped me into my makeup/modeling/marketing path that I ended up on now! With my degree, I became a personal trainer and nutritionist and while in that career I started doing fitness modeling and competitions.
I had already had a real interest in makeup and styling but the makeup for those competitions and shoots is nuts! I would just stare into the mirror while I was getting it done and then go home and mess around with what I saw them doing, and that’s how I really started learning. I knew I liked the analytical side of my fitness career but it wasn’t scratching the glamorous, creative itch I had, so I left that and got into all kinds of marketing: copy writing, digital media, social media, email campaigns (I have a weird knack for making things look good enough for other people to buy, I’ve always thought this is why I am good at and enjoy makeup and styling so much). I also started learning as much about makeup as possible, watching Bobbi Brown and Pat McGrath videos and then finally decided to really commit to it. I took a bunch of classes from places like GlamLabs & MAC and started building a social media presence.
From there, I would reach out to models and photographers, they would reach out to me, we would collaborate and build our portfolios. I used my makeup portfolio to get into Soho House Chicago and thats where I met the Editor-in-Chief of High Fashion Living (an online fashion publication that is amazing and you all should definitely include the link because Its a great blend of trends and business) and he liked my style and my writing and I started writing for them. Then, everything else was like a domino effect, I networked and built my brand and my social media and worked with anyone and everyone I could. I believe so wholeheartedly in networking, if you’re a good networker, meaning you are good at both connecting with people and connecting other people together, you can build such beautiful relationships and create amazing possibilities for yourself and others. Now I have several different things going on- I work in advertising, I write about fashion, I do makeup for photoshoots, and sometimes I also get to be the model- that there’s potential for so many things to come together every single day and I love that. Don’t get me wrong, I still have so much further to go, so much work to do, but it’s never dull and it’s always fulfilling- and that’s all I want, to be responsible for my own successes and be fulfilled by them.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like I said before, NETWORK! Be willing to meet new people and LISTEN to them, actually listen and be interested in what that person is saying. Also, I wish someone had told me this, don’t be threatened by people, by anyone, ESPECIALLY other women. Life is not one big competition, it’s not “oh well if SHE is doing this then I can’t”. That is a sure fire way to go into any situation with a bad attitude and come out empty handed. Go into new situations with a high frequency, like attracts like and if you go in with positivity, you will attract positivity and positive things.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Kit Royce, @kitroyce – what should we know?
I like pretty things! So, I like to joke and say I really just enjoy making things, people, brands, products, etc. look “pretty” enough to buy. So marketing! Full time I’m in advertising and I love it. And I guess you could say also a full time I’m building my own brand, which is doing makeup and writing. Modeling has picked up for me recently as well but I will always consider that a hobby.
Ha, what sets me apart from others? Well, I’d love to say it’s my aesthetic: Barbie if you put her in a room with Kat Von D for too long, ha, but I’d have to say it’s the fact that I’m blunt. I will always say whats on my mind and what I want, sometimes even out loud to just myself, but it’s helped me to set my goals and reach them and also to build strong, honest relationships with people. If you’re not honest along the way of building your brand then your product isn’t honest. And when it comes to what I try to deliver to people, whether it’s in an article I’ve written, or on set on a photo shoot or just between friends, I always want to be as honest and true to who I am as possible.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
Jen Sincero – she’s an amazing author and life coach, she says things in a way where they seem specifically applicable to you but at the same time you know you’re not alone in the struggles she’s talking about because here she is writing a whole book about this stuff and tons of people are reading it. Anna Wintour- for the obvious reasons, in a nutshell, she is a boss in every way. Krystnyna Hutchinson and Corinne Fisher – if you’re not listening to their podcast, Guys We F****d then you are missing out on a whole world of female empowerment. And, of course, Barbie – that b**ch had a million different careers and made me feel like I wasn’t crazy for having so many passions and exploring all of them.
Contact Info:
- Website: kit-royce.com
- Email: chimeracosmeticsmua@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kitroyce/?hl=en
- Other: https://www.clippings.me/users/kitroyce
Image Credit:
Kara Rosenbaum, Maria Plevritis, Gregory Byers, Whitney Hsieh, Marissa Bolen, Samantha Lula, Linda Goodman
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
