From News Anchor to Style Icon: Kristin Vartan's Journey to the Finals
A Turlock native and former news anchor, Kristin Vartan, has reached the finals of a style competition organized by Elton John, David Furnish, and Charlotte Tilbury. She is currently ranked second in her group and could win a chance to attend Versace’s runway show at Milan Fashion Week, be featured in Flaunt Magazine, and receive a $20,000 prize. The public can vote for her once a day until Thursday at 7 p.m., with the first vote being free and additional votes costing $1 each. Vartan believes that style is a personal art that reflects one's heart.
Growing up as a first-generation Assyrian-Persian American in Modesto, Vartan was inspired by her grandparents' immigration stories and her great-grandfather's newspaper background in Iran. Despite initially aiming to become a magazine editor, she unexpectedly found herself pursuing a career as a news anchor. Starting at 23ABC in Bakersfield and later moving to Fox 40 in Sacramento, Vartan always dreamed of having her own show. With her father's encouragement, she eventually co-founded Style Speaks with her brother, Sean Ansari Vartan, blending storytelling, style, and technology to create a platform that resonates with people.
Style Speaks began as a passion project alongside Vartan's anchoring job and evolved into a platform that explores global issues through the lens of fashion. Interviewing designers at New York Fashion Week earlier this year allowed Vartan to delve into their creative processes and sources of inspiration. Now, she plans to expand Style Speaks to encompass various styles beyond fashion, such as filmmaking and songwriting, with her brother's input. The duo is currently in pre-production for this new venture and aims to use any winnings from the Style Icon competition to support the company's relaunch.
In conclusion, Kristin Vartan's journey from news anchor to media entrepreneur with Style Speaks showcases her passion for storytelling and style. Her unique blend of journalism roots and cinematic vision has led to a platform that not only highlights fashion but also explores diverse styles and global issues. Winning the Style Icon competition could provide the necessary resources for Style Speaks' expansion and further establish Vartan's presence in the media industry.