Wednesday, July 16, 2025
It’s been quite the journey for Long Beach resident Chris Banks.
He didn’t know what exactly he wanted to do with his life, trying to find his calling, dealing with some mental health struggles. Then, in 2015, he knew what he wanted to do: become a fashion designer. That same year, he held his first fashion show at the Long Beach Public Library.
“It’s been 10 years of a ride, a journey of chasing a dream as a fashion stylist,” Banks said. “I didn’t know how to get started, so I had a vision just to do a show at the library. So, 10 years later, why not just come back to the library and give some wisdom to people?”
Banks is back at the library on June 7, celebrating his 10 years in fashion with a new, free show. The show will be in the library’s auditorium starting at 2 p.m.
Banks grew up singing. He sang in church and even tried out for American Idol, but nothing came of it. None of the jobs he had would stick either, until he found fashion.
He networked, and he worked with New Icon NY, a fashion agency, for about a year. He then spent time as an intern with the television network Bravo, working two seasons for the show The Real Housewives of New York City. Now, he works a lot through collaboration with other stylists and people.
The 10-year celebratory show will showcase not only his work, but it will also allow attendees to get to know him — and themselves — better.
“I think a lot of people don’t fully understand what it is to be a fashion stylist and the hard work that it takes, so I want people to come to this event,” Banks said. “It’s not only a production this year, it’s more of an event where people will learn more about me and then learn more about themselves through style, through fashion. You’re getting both of those.”
Banks’s fashion sense and style is a tough one to categorize. It’s very fluid, and he’s adaptable, being flexible in his sense for whoever he’s working with. No matter what he’s working on or who he’s working with, he hopes his work tells a story.
“I would say it’s simple, but very much storytelling,” Banks said of his style. “It depends on the client, and it depends on what I’m feeling as well. I may go from business attire to urban streetwear to vintage to hippie. I’m all of that.”
