Learning by doing, stylist Djuna Bel has forged an inimitable career for herself. A mother, partner, and friend, Djuna has learned to enjoy the journey, finding peace in being surrounded by the ones she loves.
Besette Cable Knit Vest in Bergamont
Annina Trouser in Tularosa
Can you think of the moment that inspired you to start your career?
I didn't know what styling was until I was a model on set for the first time, probably my first magazine shoot, and the stylist brought all these clothes and I thought they were for me to look through, and I was rummaging, and then I think the assistant came up to me and was like, 'Can you stop touching the clothes?' and I was like, 'I thought they were for me to wear,' and she was like, 'Yes but it's not for you to decide what to wear.' And I was kind of like, 'What! This is a job?!' And that was kind of my first awakening to styling as a career.
What is one thing you wish you would have known before becoming a stylist?
To be honest, getting into the industry and not really knowing much about it kept this bit of the excitement alive and kept me from getting jaded for a long time. So, it was kind of nice to not know much about it and discover it as I went along. Maybe boundaries also, or maybe that wasn't really a thing until recently. But yeah, boundaries, like not working 22 hours, and then sleeping in my car for an hour, and then working another 22 hours. Yeah, I wish I didn't do that.
What label in your life are you most proud of? Why?
Oh my gosh. Well, I guess that’s such a hard question because I think balance is a thing that we all strive for, and I am trying to get better at it, but I don't know if it’s a thing you can get better at. I really want to be well respected at work, and I really want to be a good partner, and I really want to be a good friend, and I really want to be a good mother, but yeah, I think it’s just balance.
Besette Cable Knit Vest in Bergamont
Annina Trouser in Tularosa
What is the best advice you have ever received?
The best advice that I have ever received...I really don’t know, but the best advice that I have received recently, a friend of mine told me to...oh, I’m going to say this so inelegantly; he said it so beautifully. To enjoy the experience instead of try to get from point A to point B. So, to experience the journey and learn from the journey, instead of just try to get from point A to point B. Oh, he said it so much better than I did, but Mickey, where are you when I need you?
When in life do you feel the most at peace?
I feel the most at peace when my phone is not in front of me and I feel really good about my friendships and my partnership and my work, and feel good about myself as a mother. When I can be really present in a moment. It’s hard to be present in a moment these days, but that’s when I feel the most at peace.
When do you feel the most alive?
I think I feel the most alive when I am learning something new and / or surrounded by people that I love, that I care about.
Luca Turtleneck in Black
Annina Trouser in Fade to Black
What is the best advice you have ever received?
The best advice that I have ever received...I really don’t know, but the best advice that I have received recently, a friend of mine told me to...oh, I’m going to say this so inelegantly; he said it so beautifully. To enjoy the experience instead of try to get from point A to point B. So, to experience the journey and learn from the journey, instead of just try to get from point A to point B. Oh, he said it so much better than I did, but Mickey, where are you when I need you?
When in life do you feel the most at peace?
I feel the most at peace when my phone is not in front of me and I feel really good about my friendships and my partnership and my work, and feel good about myself as a mother. When I can be really present in a moment. It’s hard to be present in a moment these days, but that’s when I feel the most at peace.
When do you feel the most alive?
I think I feel the most alive when I am learning something new and / or surrounded by people that I love, that I care about.
Luca Turtleneck in Black
Annina Trouser in Fade to Black
Alba in Black
Jolene in Stormy
"It’s hard to be present in a moment these days, but that’s when I feel the most at peace."
Alba in Black
Jolene in Stormy
What is something you want to do, but haven’t done yet?
I have some pretty ridiculous fears that I’d like to conquer. I’m not one of those people that’s, like, let me just jump in and experience this fear. I feel like I’m a little bit more cautious, but I’d like to conquer some of those fears, but I feel pretty good about my accomplishments in life so far.
Something in the world you hope to see change in your lifetime?
Oh my god, I’d like to see a lot of change within my lifetime, starting with, I hope everybody voted yesterday or before. I am really excited about all the changes, and having a small child and seeing the way that he views the world and his peers view the world, I feel like I’m given a lot of hope and excitement about where the world could go and the way that people treat each other. So, I just hope that it continues to go within that direction.