As a celebrity stylist, Tiffany Briseno is in charge of orchestrating red carpet looks for the likes of Shawn Mendes, Rob Raco, and the cast of Shitt’s Creek. So what happens now that red carpets aren’t a thing that can happen? Well, she’s certainly had to get creative. One such way: leading virtual magazine shoots over FaceTime—like this recent one of singer and actor Andy Allo for Rolling Stone. “It’s definitely been interesting,” says Briseno. “Definitely more challenging than physically being there.”
And that’s not the only way she’s been staying creative during isolation. In the latest episode of Complex Canada’s Check the Technique, Briseno teaches you how to take a staple from your closet, customize it, and style it up—otherwise known as upcycling. Got an old jacket or T-shirt that doesn’t fit you that well anymore? Say less. Here’s how to turn them into something grail-worthy. Watch the episode above, then check out our chat with Briseno below on how she’s been working through isolation.
How’s lockdown life been?
It's been great. It's been really nice to be able to build a routine that lasts longer than a week. You know, I travel all the time, so it's really hard for me to be able to have a set schedule.
What are some new routines you've established for yourself?
Eating at a certain time and eating certain things within my control. [Before] maybe six hours would pass by and you're like, "Wow, I've had an almond today."
Have you been keeping in touch with your clients? Are you Zooming with them?
Yeah, actually, I have been keeping in touch with most of my clients. When I left L.A. and came back to Toronto before COVID went full-on, a lot of my clients had shows and all kinds of different promotional projects going on, so they still needed content. I actually shot two virtual editorials in L.A. last week, so that's still been an ongoing process for me.
"Building a chemistry with your client through FaceTime is a little bit more challenging than building it in person."
What exactly does a virtual shoot look like for you?
Okay, so they're way more challenging than physically doing the project yourself, that's for sure. Luckily, I have a really great team based in L.A., a lot of great assistants that I work with, so they've had the opportunity to step up to the plate and really take the reins for me. But building a chemistry with your client through FaceTime is a little bit more challenging than building it in person. And then just managing everything, virtually, is challenging, from curbside pick-ups to photographers shooting through windows. You know, the social distancing is still in place. But it's interesting.
Quarantine fatigue is real. How do you start your mornings to make sure you've got enough energy to tackle your day?
Well, my mornings do not start until I have a coffee first. I mean, that's like essential. And I usually have coffee with milk. But on those special days, those gloomy days, I think I would definitely probably have to froth it up and make it a little bit more snazzy. Then we could proceed with whatever is on the schedule. I think working out has also been very helpful. Before I would throw myself into a full day of working out like, you know, one hour of yoga a month, because that's what my schedule would allow. But now, it's been like 20 minutes, five days a week that I've actually committed to.
How’ve you managed to stay functional at home?
I still put clothes on and I really rely on accessories to jazz up my leggings. I'm still comfortable, but I feel like, if you dress on purpose and you have an intention in your look, it builds your mood. So, after I take my shower post-workout, I definitely change my clothes, put on my accessories and then start my day.
What accessories are we talking here?
Earrings. Like, nakedness happens without earrings.
What have you been watching and listening to during isolation?
Right now, I'm watching multiple shows because once I'm done my work shift, I kind of just want to dive into somebody else's creative thinking. I actually just finished Feud, which covers the story of Betty Davis and Joan Crawford. It’s really interesting. I love watching shows about Old Hollywood; I guess they're almost like learning devices for us that do work in Hollywood because history definitely repeats itself. And then I listen to a lot of vinyls. Rodriguez, I definitely play every Saturday. Just music with lyrics but that has a little bit more of a reflective sound.
What’s the first thing you're going to do once COVID-19 is over?
Well, it really depends on what mood I'm in by that time. I’ll probably head back to L.A. and just hit the ground running and continue where I left off from there. Or, a vacation. [Laughs.] One or the other. A vacation sounds good. I feel like everyone's desperately awaiting, you know, being able to hit a beach or just being able to see a different part of the world. My vacation spot is Mexico. Tulum, specifically, because of the beaches—and, well, because I’m Mexican.
