From Beauty to Business: How Did Risa Kostis Build a Thriving Career in Styling?

Entrepreneur and celebrity stylist Risa Kostis has built a dynamic career rooted in creativity, flexibility, and adaptability—and, of course, an enduring love for fashion. She first stepped into the beauty industry at 21, specializing in hair and makeup for weddings. She gained invaluable business experience managing a handbag and shoe company, which paved the way for launching her own styling business.

In 2018, a wedding-day mishap inspired her to co-found The Rescue Kit Company with her sister, offering essential styling tools designed for brides and beyond. Risa’s styling philosophy centers on personalization, confidence, and inclusivity. She prioritizes a real-world perspective over rigid fashion rules. Her expertise extends across personal styling, wedding day dressing services, and adaptive fashion solutions.

In this interview, she shares her career journey, styling philosophy, and how she empowers every client—regardless of body type—to embrace their unique beauty with confidence.

When I asked Risa how her story unfolded, she shared:

“My entrepreneurial journey began at 21 when I started doing hair and makeup for weddings. I was finishing cosmetology school in Boston when a friend asked me to style her and her maid of honor’s hair and makeup for her wedding. That was the moment I knew—this was what I wanted to do.”

She also remembers, “Shortly after, I moved to San Francisco and took a job at the front desk of a day spa while building my client base on the side. During that time, I met a fashion designer for whom I occasionally did hair and makeup. She eventually brought me on board to help run her handbag and shoe company. It was an incredible hands-on learning experience—a crash course in small business management, production, and manufacturing. Looking back, I couldn’t have asked for a better foundation for launching my full-scale styling company and product line.”

As she gained experience, weddings and special events became the core of Risa’s expertise. She recalls the moment that ultimately led to creating The Rescue Kit Company:

“It all started at a scorching Arizona wedding in 2018, just as I was introducing my day-of dressing service. A photographer friend invited me to a wedding she was capturing, offering behind-the-scenes photos in exchange for my help. I agreed, and like most wedding days, I didn’t meet the bride until I arrived to dress her and style everyone.

“As she walked down for the first look, someone stepped on her train, and the zipper completely broke. I tried safety pins and super glue, but in the end, I had to sew her into her gown. It was like nothing ever happened. I will never forget that day—not just because it sparked The Rescue Kit Company and my now-popular dressing service, but because saving the day is the absolute best feeling in the world. That was when I knew I had to create an experience that would bring that same relief to my clients.”

Recognizing a gap in the market, Risa and her sister set out to design the ultimate wedding day emergency kit—blending luxury with functionality.

“It was important for us to create a signature kit that felt luxurious and professional yet remained user-friendly and comprehensive,” Risa explains. “The Bride Kit is our best-selling product, inspired by the professional styling kit I’ve used for over a decade. It includes 22 carefully selected items designed to make the biggest impact on a wedding day.

“Inside, you’ll find essentials like a sewing kit with pre-threaded needles in the most popular wedding colors, double-stick tape, mini tissues, a lint roller, and our Hair + Pin Kit—featuring four different safety pin colors, straight pins, two shades of bobby pins, and clear rubber bands. Unique additions include a deodorant-removing sponge, super glue, a button + bustle hook for satin-covered buttons and gown bustling, foot gel pads, stain-removing spray, wrinkle-release spray, and more. It’s truly a one-stop mishap-preventing shop!”

One may wonder, “How can a stylist create a truly inclusive and personalized experience for clients with diverse body types and mobility needs?” Risa Kostis explains:

“As a stylist, ensuring a successful body type assessment for diverse clients, including those with unique mobility needs, starts with a personalized and inclusive approach. This is really where a listening ear comes in, and the most important perspective I take is that of a student—I need to understand any daily challenges with getting dressed and areas that might need special attention.

“Rather than relying solely on traditional body shape guidelines, I focus on proportions, comfort, and functionality, considering how clothing drapes and moves with the individual’s body. For clients who use wheelchairs, I take seated proportions into account, as well as proper layering and undergarments to ensure both aesthetic balance and ease of movement. Fabric choices, adaptable silhouettes, and strategic tailoring play key roles in enhancing both style and practicality. Above all, I prioritize listening to the client’s needs and preferences, making adjustments that align with their lifestyle and fashion goals while celebrating their unique shape and confidence.”

Are you interested in working with Risa Kostis or curious about what a one-on-one assessment is like? She shares:

“Most of my personal styling clients come from current client referrals. We usually do a deep dive on a call or Zoom to make sure I can meet their needs, and that also gives them a chance to share their styling goals for any upcoming events or appearances.

“Since a lot of my work is moving toward wedding styling and day-of-dressing, most of these assessments are with women who are getting married or close friends/wedding party members that may want wedding attire consulting services or to hire me for day-of-dressing. Communication is the cornerstone of everything I do, and I take detailed notes in their file that will serve me throughout the process of working together.”

What are Risa’s thoughts on color analysis? It was refreshing to hear her say:

“My answer might surprise you, but I don’t necessarily go by the book when it comes to color analysis. While I think it’s proven useful for a lot of stylists and their clients, I don’t use a formal color analysis process with the people I work with. I can tell immediately when I look at someone—based on what lives in their current closet and during fittings—what will enhance their appearance and complement their look. I think color is a choice and a feeling when you’re getting dressed.

“When I hear someone say, ‘I can’t wear that color,’ I always like to at least try it on together, so we can take photos and make sure it’s a color that they really want to rule out. While there is system-based structure around color analysis, I personally like to push people outside their comfort zone into the ‘what-if’ space if they are willing to go there. We know right away when it won’t work, and that’s good enough for me!”

Risa shares that there are many encouraging ways to discover one’s passion in the fashion industry. Reflecting on her own journey, she says:

“I love that in today’s world, there are so many roads that lead to the same thing. I don’t have any formal training in styling, and in fact, I think that’s what makes my skill set so desirable. I always tell aspiring young people that style is subjective and innate—if they love it, they should pursue it.”

When asked about her fashion philosophy and what makes working with Risa Kostis unique, she explains:

“My philosophy is all about exceptional attention to detail, prioritizing personalized style over labels, and making every client feel uniquely their own. I believe in unparalleled customer service, a zero-judgment approach, and curating looks that celebrate individuality.”

The sister duo possesses a niche and unique set of skills, as Risa emphasizes:

“My sister is actually my business partner in The Rescue Kit Company! She has a formal background in Occupational Therapy (OT) and has worked in both inpatient and outpatient rehab settings.

“It is in our plans to one day develop an adaptive rescue kit that honors her passion while aligning with our core value of caring for our customers.”

It was a thrill to interview Ms. Risa Kostis, who shared her perspective on working with clients: ‘The experiences I’ve had throughout my life—from working in the service industry for over a decade to acting, fashion publicity, styling, and so much more—have given me the foundation to offer something truly special. I have an uncanny ability to meet my clients exactly where they are in their lives and for every occasion they need to dress for, and I firmly believe that’s something that can’t be taught. When we work together, you become a very special part of my life, and that’s something I’ll never take for granted.”

Risa Kostis is a renowned stylist who has been featured on numerous national television shows and media outlets.

Thank you, Risa Kostis, for this exclusive interview with Social Lifestyle Magazine. We are excited to see what’s next in your career!

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