Amy Serrano

Amy Serrano, a stylist and content creator from Los Angeles, California, has made a name for herself by creating amazing looks on her blog and YouTube channel. Her blog is titled Pepperpout, a playful tribute to her surname and love for all things beauty and fashion. There, her radiant personality along with an extensive knowledge of fashion creates a space for content that is entertaining and informative. Her inviting disposition makes the world of style and beauty completely nonthreatening and generates a place for positivity and encouragement. With an ever-growing presence on YouTube, Serrano’s unique voice will continue to draw people in and attract the modern, millennial beauty enthusiast.

As children, our biggest influences (besides our parents and peers) were undoubtedly the people we saw on the silver screen. Serrano’s upbringing was no different. She credits her initial passion for fashion to the film Clueless. “I remember being in 3rd grade when I watched it,” she says. “My ‘make believe’ friends (embarrassing I know, but this is real life!) quickly became Cher, Dionne, and Murray. I became obsessed with that movie and even the TV show that followed. I was fascinated with Cher’s revolving closet and her computer that matched everything up. I tried to recreate every single outfit her and Dionne wore by sifting through racks at Ross and Marshalls. I loved shopping and I loved putting together looks.” Onscreen outfits weren’t the only things Serrano drew inspiration from. Growing up in Palmdale, CA, Serrano lived an hour away from the star-studded city of Los Angeles. “I’ve always had this love affair with Los Angeles. I loved Hollywood and pop culture so any chance I got to get out there I would. I loved this whole ‘idea of LA.’ The red carpets, the glam, even the paparazzi… I definitely wanted to be a part of that world which heavily influenced my career choices.” After graduating with a degree in fashion merchandising, it was only natural for Serrano to follow the bright lights of Hollywood and find herself in the city she loved so much.

Working as a stylist in LA, Serrano has had many interesting experiences with A-list celebrities. She recalls one of her favorite memories in which she styled Katy Perry at the 2011 Grammy Awards. “I’ll never forget for Katy Perry’s performance she opened with her song “Not Like the Movies” (which is one of my faves). She was wearing this nude, blush, sparkly number while she sat on a swing. As the song went on she would rise higher and higher, and she had to wear a safety harness. Of course those harnesses are an eyesore and usually come in white or black… total outfit killer. So Johnny Wujek who I was assisting at the time grabbed a satin, blushy pink pillow that the event staff had furnished Katy’s dressing room with, sliced the pillow with scissors (just a few hours before she went on btw) and used the material to cover the harness belt, that way it looked more seamless with her dress as well as more aesthetically pleasing. It was perfect and I thought it was the most genius thing ever!” By working alongside creatives like Johnny Wujek and Maya Krisipin, Serrano’s creativity has blossomed and her artistry has been tested in the most positive way. “I don’t think a lot of people can say they ended up working in what they pursued when they were 14,” says Serrano. “I’m pretty proud to have made my younger self proud. When I look back at old journals or old assignments lingering around, I step back and say ‘wow you did it’ in that annoying referring to myself in third person way.”

When Serrano isn’t off styling our favorite celebs, she’s creating stellar content for her blog and YouTube channel. When asked what spurs her creative side, Serrano responded, “I’m a hugely visual person so looking through beautiful fashion photography usually ignites some creative juices. Lately, with so many beauty products at hand I’ll get super inspired with the packaging. I’ll create a whole visual in my head for how I want to photograph it whether it’s a flat lay or on me. I think that’s the stylist in me. It’s always a mood you’re trying to convey and that carries on to whatever I create.” With a style unique to who she is as an individual, Serrano wears clothes that display her personality and contain elements of today’s hottest trends. When asked how she pulls this off so well, Serrano described her personal definition of style. “I think the most important aspect of someone’s personal style is exactly that. That it’s personal. I think it’s kind of whack when people try steal other’s style piece by piece. I used to do that all the time when I was younger but I think it’s so much cooler to get inspired and then make it your own.”

For Serrano, her YouTube channel has been an outlet where she can connect with her viewers and share common interests and ideas. “My favorite part about the online community is that in a vast pool of hundreds of thousands of bloggers and YouTubers, your audience stumbles upon YOU. It has been a really positive experience for me to see that people are connecting with me and trusting my opinion. I’m a huge believer in that quote ‘your vibe attracts your tribe’ so it has been great interacting with girls who understand me or vibe with me in one way or another.” Serrano’s bubbly personality and light-hearted spirit invites viewers to experience new places, products, and outfits alongside her. Serrano’s YouTube channel is open and welcoming—attracting viewers who celebrate fashion and beauty for all that it is. “Nothing comes without hard work” is Serrano’s philosophy—a belief instilled in her by her father. “My dad is definitely the hardest working person I know and he never complains! It’s really admirable. I, on the other hand, went through a period of time where I complained heavily. He told me just do what you got to do (and do it well) and then you can do the things you want to do. I think I’m a by-product of the no patience club/internet age. We all want instant gratification, quick results, but all the best things take time so that really motivated me to stick a lot of things out. I think if it wasn’t for those words in the back of my head I would’ve thrown in the towel on a lot.”

Like Nike, Serrano’s advice for young artists is to just do it. “Don’t think too hard about it. Waiting for the ‘perfect moment’ is pointless and eats away at the time you could be living and breathing it. I’ve struggled with this, as well making excuses like maybe I’ll do it when I get this equipment, or maybe I’ll start when I finish this course…. There is never going to be a perfect moment. Excuses are our safety net and we use them to avoid failing. If you get your mind right you can conquer anything.” Serrano’s success is a testament to the hard work she puts into her passions. As she continues to create within the field of fashion and beauty, we can expect content that is of the best quality, because we know the work she has put into its creation. Amy Serrano, with her fierce work ethic and even fiercer outfits, is a force to be reckoned with and we can’t wait to see where life takes her.

Nothing comes without hard work."

Written by Kendall Bolam | Photography by Ashley Seryn