Local Stylist to be Lead Stylist at VMA’s

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “The last 8 years of my life have been a whirlwind and I’m just so thankful for all the opportunities,” says Keri Bailes, stylist at Ashley’s Alley in Columbia. 

For Keri Bailes, the dream of making others feel beautiful through cosmetology, started years ago in her hometown of Lancaster, South Carolina. 

“I can remember in the 2nd grade, getting in trouble for braiding people’s hair in class,” says Bailes

After graduation, Keri followed her dream and attended the Kenneth Shuller School of Cosmetology in Columbia. 

Crandall Sims reporting, “Since then, Columbia has become home and these days you’ll find Keri here in downtown where she works as a stylist at Ashley’s Alley.” 

“For me it all starts behind the chair,” says Bailes

Her work behind the chair has since been recognized on a national level as a Redken Artist. 

Keri’s talents have taken her to New York’s Fashion Week, onto some of the hottest runways and behind the scenes at MTV’s Video Music Awards. 

“Something about the music industry, my parents are musicians and growing up in a music, um background, I always grew up watching the VMA’s, the CMA’s, any music show,” says Bailes 

The VMA’s is where she’ll be this weekend, because Keri is the Lead Stylist. She and her team of nine stylist from across the United States and even Canada will work with top stars, like Lady Gaga. 

Keri says behind-the-scenes is a faster-than-fast paced scene, all its own. 

“It’s like walking into the dark, every show that I do until we get there that morning, I won’t know how many dancers, how many people from each team,” says Bailes

But she’s ready and with her parents and fellow team members by her side, she’ll see another dream come true. 

But, for a woman who’s come from small town USA to the big stage, we had to ask, “What’s next?”

“It’s just really keeping your feet on the ground, staying humble,” says Bailes

For more on Keri’s work visit her website at www.keribailes.com