Most stylists’ jobs conclude when they clock out for the day, but for Elle Marie, the art of styling never ceases.
From the start, Marie sought to bring attention to her eponymous brand by dabbling in several different projects, including starting a boutique, a clothing line of custom T-shirts and an accessory line of sunglasses.
Marie said her idea was to cultivate an authentic brand that showcased her passion while also presenting styling as an uncomplicated task to her clients.
“Everything that I did, I always added a styling aspect to it,” Marie said. “[The brand] just kind of evolved from that and looking at magazines and saying, ‘This is how I want to do this.’”
Marie cites Vogue, Elle and Cosmopolitan as influences that helps the way she approaches styling daily.
Currently, Marie styles for 225 Magazine, although getting there was no easy feat.
After an initial reach-out with no reply, she said she continued to pursue it, landing her first breakthrough while working for The Rouge Collection magazine, although she started out as a writer.
Over time, her experience from writing led to a promotion to fashion editor.
After departing from The Rouge Collection, Marie followed up with 225 Magazine and was hired, making her debut in the October 2015 issue.
Outside of her job as an editorial stylist, Marie is an entrepreneur of multiple side projects, “The Style: TouchedbyElleMarie,” “The Beauty: M3 Experience” and “iG.L.A.M Academy.”
“‘The Style’ is a buildup of myself as an editorial stylist, and it’s just letting people know what I offer,” Marie said.
This particular service includes a consultation for style advice from everyday outfits to runway looks.
“The Beauty: M3 Experience” stands for makeup, massages and martinis, and provides a night of networking for small businesses and entrepreneurs who are breaking ground.
Vendors, like makeup artists, jewelry designers and cosmetic sales representatives among other professions usually attend the event, though it is open to the public and features entertainment from poets and musicians as well as drink specials.
“iG.L.A.M Academy,” which stands for “Girls. Learning. Achieving & Maturing.” is an opportunity for girls ages 14 to 18 to participate in hands-on activities centered around beauty, health, style and culinary arts.
“iG.L.A.M Academy” operates out of The Belfair Teen Center in partnership with BREC and is a four month long course.
To manage all of this, Marie has a small team to assist her: beauty consultant and executive assistant Cekeisha Williams and photographer Cynthea Corfah.
Marie met Williams after she attended her “M3 Experience” with a cosmetic sales representative.
“Often times, you can work with someone and they never show you the authentic them,” Williams said. “Working with Elle, I get to see how she professionally handles her successful moments and her challenging moments first hand.”
Marie said she met her other team member, Corfah, who has worked for her for more than a year now, during Baton Rouge Fashion Week.
“I always want the photos to be edgy,” Corfah said. “A lot of times, it’s trial and error, and I love when we’re shooting and it turns into something we never expected.”
Marie’s future goals for the brand include expanding her “iG.L.A.M Academy,” which currently serves 10 girls, with Marie providing most of the financial support.
Marie said she hopes to find sponsors to help bring aid finances so that she could allow more girls to participate in the program.
“I don’t want to be a typical stylist. I want to be that stylist that can change things,” Marie said. “Not change the person, but make people feel confident about themselves.”

Gallery • 3 Photos

Olivia Ramirez

Elle Marie poses outside of Highland Coffee's on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015 she is an editorial stylist for 225 Magazine focusing on using her personal brand to establish herself as a stylist.