When Dan P. Lee was younger, he didn’t have the kind of money that could get him the latest trendy items or designer clothes. Growing up as the oldest of six, he had to get creative if he wanted to buy the things he dreamed about, like a pair of Nikes or Jordans.
As soon as he was old enough, he began cutting grass around the neighborhood to earn some cash, sweating under the hot summer sun as he pushed the lawnmower. Before long, Dan had saved up enough to buy himself a new and cool pair of sneakers.
But the sneakers were just the beginning, Dan’s real passion was fashion. Now 31, living in New York City, he’s turning that passion into a reality, working as a stylist for well known actors and musicians.
“I’ve worked with musical artists Kodak Black, Afrobeat artist Fireboy DML,” Dan said. “And also the actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. from “The Wire” and Jean Elie.”
Dan grew up in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, about an hour from the Outer Banks. He said fashion has always been a part of his life, especially since his mother had a strong sense of style. Unfortunately she died when he was only 7.
Dan said while his father was frugal and didn’t prioritize fashion, Dan did have people in his life who cared about style. He would get clothes from his older cousins and his godmother would take him shopping, letting him pick out the clothes and shoes he wanted.
“My stepmom also introduced me to thrifting, so I started going to thrift stores and finding different pieces,” Dan said. “I’d customize them, cut them up and make them my own.”
Dan initially enrolled at East Carolina University for its pre-dental program, drawn by the new off-site dental campus being built in his hometown. He said he saw it as the perfect opportunity to complete his degree and then attend dental school in Elizabeth City so he could stay close to his family.
However, Dan struggled with the chemistry courses and he knew they were crucial for the dental program. One day, after failing another chemistry test, he sat on a bench outside Joyner Library, feeling defeated. At that moment, his mentor, Jamar Sampson, happened to walk by, consoled him and told him about ECU’s fashion merchandising program.
“And then that same year, I found out that celebrities had stylists,” Dan said. “I just did a deep dive on social media and was following a lot of people in New York and LA.”
When Dan returned for his junior year at ECU, he was fully dedicated to the fashion merchandising program. He said he remembered his visual merchandising professor in particular who supported his dream and didn’t discourage him when he expressed his desire to become a stylist.
Dr. Marina Alexander, an associate professor at ECU, still teaches visual merchandising and said while Dan wasn’t as motivated by some of the more technical fashion classes, he was fully engaged in visual merchandising.
“He was very creative in that class,” Alexander said. “He was so involved and had such great out of the box ideas.”
Alexander said Dan was also actively involved with the Apparel & Interior Merchandising Organization on campus. She said he took part in several fashion shows and was always positive and eager to engage.
She said even after Dan graduated, his influence continued to be felt, with other students keeping track of him. She said whenever she reached out to invite him to speak to her class, he found time to do so.
“I think he’s the kind of student who doesn’t forget where he came from,” Alexander said. “He’s someone that always extends a helping hand to other people.”
Dan said since he switched his major halfway through college, he knew he had to fit four years of work into just two. He threw himself into learning everything about becoming a celebrity stylist, using Google to research the role and track down the emails of top stylists.
For two years, Dan persistently sent emails to stylists, sharing his vision of transforming the relationship between talent and brands. He said at the time athletes weren’t taken seriously in the fashion industry and he wanted to change that.
After all his hard work, he finally received a response and it was from one of his styling idols, Rachel Johnson.
“She said she can’t promise me anything,” Dan said. “But if I can get to New York after January first, she would allow me to intern and we’ll take it from there.”
Dan said he graduated on Dec. 18, 2015, and moved to New York City the following day. After settling in, he printed 50 copies of his resume and distributed them to various stores across the city. He said he got hired on the spot as a visual merchandiser at Club Monaco, a designer men’s and women’s clothing store.
Kirsten McGovern, a New York City-based celebrity stylist, recalled meeting Dan while freelancing for costume designer Jason Rembert. She said his vibrant personality and positive energy made him memorable.
Kirsten said she remembered talking with Dan about their career goals and knew early on that he’d be an important part of her journey. She said in an industry where finding the right people is key, Dan has become someone she truly trusts.
“He’s definitely one of my people,” Kirsten said. “I can rely on him, he motivates me so much and supports me when I need it.”
Dan said one of his early career highlights was working as a styling assistant for Zayn Malik on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” He said when he was an assistant he took on a variety of projects and got to be involved in projects with Michael Jordan, Will Smith and Samuel L. Jackson.
After almost a decade in the industry, Dan launched his own styling agency, Plot Twist Styling, LLC. He said he’s focused on building his own clientele and making a name for himself.
“I’m still rising,” Dan said. “I’m also a senior assistant, so I take opportunities as they come while I continue to strive forward.”
Dan said in the future, he hopes to dedicate himself to his styling agency full time and expand his business by bringing in young, eager assistants, so he can help them grow in their careers.
He also advises anyone aspiring to be a stylist to ensure they have the right skill set and a strong work ethic. Dan said the industry is far from glamorous and that there is a lot of hard work and long hours.
“This industry is a long-term industry, so be careful wanting to have instant success,” Dan said. “I’m on year 10 now and I feel like I’m just really kind of scratching the surface.”
