Never underestimate the bonds made on a school playground. Lafayette natives Lindsey Dupuis-Bledsoe and Cherie Kilchrist have been best friends since they met in first grade at Plantation Elementary, while playing on the seesaw. One blond-haired and fair skinned and the other brunette and olive complected. As they grew up, one was more the lace and bows type and the other more leather and leopard print. Each with a keen eye for clothing, they used their love of fashion to express their creativity dressing others.

Now based in Nashville, with businesses of their own, these two power stylists (and moms) have dressed actors and other celebrities for red carpet events, magazine and book covers, numerous commercials, music videos and even a movie or two. They took time out of their crazy schedules for a phone conference on the go.

Who were your early fashion influences?

Bledsoe: My grandmother, who was a seamstress, and my mom, who dressed up to go anywhere and made sure we were always dressed to the ninth. 

Kilchrist: My mom always wore these dramatic earrings or something really out there that I didn’t get at the time, but it’s because of her that I love accessories now – especially earrings. And my grandmother was always dressed to the “T.” 

What fashion education and/or early training did you acquire?

Bledsoe: I received a bachelor in apparel design. I did a short stint at Disney in costuming. I lived in LA for nearly 15 years and worked with two stylists for seven years – worked with Cherie for a short time — before going on my own. I moved to Nashville in 2021.

Kilchrist: I attended Wade College in Dallas, a fashion design and merchandising college, and received an associate degree in fashion merchandising. I left Dallas for LA, where my first job was working as a personal assistant to Sharon Stone’s sister, Kelly. It brought unbelievable connections. I roomed with Lindsey for three years before moving to Nashville in 2015.

Who was the first star you stylized? And which others do you dress now?

Bledsoe: When I started out as an assistant, I first styled Mandy Moore. When I went on my own, my first big client was Brittany Snow. I’ve also styled Nikki Reed, Sharon Stone, Ali Landry for her book tour, Jessica Alba for the movie “Mechanic Resurrection,” Reese Witherspoon for her Draper James Christmas card, Sarah Silverman … On my daughter’s first day of kindergarten, Sarah called her and, in her character voice from the movie “Wreck-It Ralph,” she wished her a good first day at school.

Kilchrist: In Los Angeles, I assisted a couple of Hollywood stylists working with Margo Robbie, Emily Blunt, Chrissy Tiegen and Christina Appelgate. In Nashville, my first client was singer Jason Aldean’s wife, Brittany (she’s my muse), then Jason, Tracy Lawrence, Billy Ray Cyrus, Dustin Lynch, Maddie & Tae, Bailey Zimmerman …

What’s your approach when meeting with a new client? 

Bledsoe: I like to make a client feel like the best version of themselves, not like they’re putting on a character. So I first get information about them, preferably over coffee, like who their style icons are, to create a “mood board.”

Kilchrist: It’s a personality thing with me; I have to click with them. Nashville is a lot about matching personalities, because you’re hanging with a team, versus in LA, where when you’re dealing with a client it’s in and out. 

How do you shop or source a new look for your clients?

Bledsoe: I’m always looking online at sites like Revolve, Forward, Farfetch and Net-a-Porter. I’ll often travel to LA and New York for work and shop stores there. In Nashville, I like boutique stores like Hero and Faherty.

Kilchrist: I shop vintage a lot, especially for the country musicians. Every time I’m in a new city, I make a point to find a new vintage shop — New York and Kentucky have great ones. I shop in Nashville also, but I like to source hard-to-find things online. 

What unusual piece(s) are you on the hunt for or have recently found for a client?

Bledsoe: I just recently found denim boots for Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town. I’m also looking for the largest statement necklace I can find for Carly Pearce to wear in her video, “We Don’t Fight Anymore,” that’s about to come out.

Kilchrist: I bought a pair of silver, mirrored thigh-high boots that look like cut glass or pieces of broken disco ball. I’m all about a statement shoe.

How do you keep all of the outfits you’ve gathered for clients organized?

Bledsoe: We share a studio and have a very good assistant. Plus, I have a photographic memory.

Kilchrist: It’s hours and hours of training your brain to process the inventory you have.

How detail-oriented are you in your work?

Bledsoe: All of the selections are photographed and put on the mood board before they leave the door, so the client understands what he/she is receiving. And all the pictures have to be the same width.

Kilchrist: (They both laugh) I like all the clothes on the same type of hanger. I like felt hangers, but recently began trying a slim plastic type. It’s aesthetically pleasing and neat looking. I have to work in organization.

What’s one thing you’ll never put on a client?

Bledsoe: Crocs.

Kilchrist: Anything in navy. It’s crazy, but I don’t like the color.

Who are a couple of your fashion icons?

Bledsoe: Grace Kelly and Jackie Onassis.

Kilchrist: The original ’90s supermodels: Christy Turlington, Claudia Schiffer, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss.

Describe your own style?

Bledsoe: Girly and feminine, at times Bohemian.

Kilchrist: Miley Cyrus meets Ice Cube.

What are some “must haves” for this fall and winter?

Bledsoe: A great pair of boots, cardigan, straight leg jeans (like Agolde) and a great pair of sunglasses.

Kilchrist: Prada loafers, furry bags (which I love), silver is making a big comeback, baggier wide leg jeans and denim on denim. 

I have to ask, what do your closets look like?

Both: Walk-ins, with clothes categorized by type, i.e., pants, skirts, jackets, etc. grouped.

Kilchrist: When I walk into my closet, I look from the bottom up, starting with shoes, because I love them so much. So I match my color palette with whichever shoes I’m wearing.