Style Journeys: Shelley Otis, Harpist
I am thrilled to share this blog, the second in my Style Journeys series!
If you’d like to check out the first Style Journeys post featuring Marcia Lessa, you can find it here.
I created this series to highlight the amazing women I get to meet through my work. Each one has her own story, her own light, and her own unique path.
Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Shelley Otis, an incredibly talented harpist based right here in New England, MA.
Shelley first contacted me on November 8, 2023. From her very first message, I could tell how kind, humble, and passionate she was. She spoke with so much heart about her music that I just knew I wanted to work with her. She gave me a lot of space to create, and most importantly, she trusted me.
Our first project together was styling her for a video shoot. I remember telling my dear friend Melissa, “I need the perfect harp dress for Shelley.” Melissa said: “Wait, I have a dress my mother-in-law is bringing from the UK. It might be the one.”
And it really was. We added a silk belt, and it looked like a dream on her. It moved beautifully with her, soft and elegant, just like her music. My dear friend and makeup artist Kalil Gomes worked her magic, and Shelley’s hair and makeup were just perfect for the shoot.
Since then, Shelley has become a regular client, and we’ve continued building her wardrobe to support her performances, events, and everyday moments.
Last November, I reached out again and said,
“My dear, you deserve a new shoot. We need to level up your game. You’re amazing, and new photos will help others see what I already see in you.”
She didn’t even hesitate.
“I’m in!!!”
For that shoot, I dreamed of a location that felt like her, timeless and full of soul. We ended up at the Hammond Castle Museum, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Everyone there was so welcoming to her, and that made all the difference.
I still remember when she played "Halo" by Beyoncé on her harp in the middle of the castle, and I cried like a baby.
Huge thanks to Kalil Gomes again for hair and makeup, and to Mariana and Cauã from Pepper Films for their beautiful work behind the camera. They helped bring this whole vision to life.
And I have to share this: I remember walking into The Madlila, one of my favorite vintage shops in New Bedford MA, and seeing this vintage Dior set. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I went back weeks later, bought it, and thought, “I’ll find the right client to wear this.” I was literally praying no one else had taken it.
Well… I’m so glad I followed that instinct, because it was made for Shelley. The way that set fitted her was pure magic.
Shelley has truly been a gift in my career as a stylist. I’ve always believed that not every person is meant to be your client, and that’s okay. I don’t want to style the whole world. I want to work with the ones who are meant for me. The ones who are ready to step into who they really are and let me walk beside them.
Shelley, thank you for letting me in. You’ve changed my life by allowing me to be part of your journey.
Shelley’s Story
Now, I’m honored to share Shelley’s story with you, in her own words:
How did you get into music?
"I always liked music. As soon as I was old enough to walk and climb up to the piano, I always liked to go and touch it, press the keys, and I was delighted at the sounds that came out. My parents got me lessons, and I continued all the way through high school and ended up getting a degree in classical piano performance. When I was in college, it was my goal to get a double major in music and something else (either environmental biology, botany, literature, or linguistics), because I never actually wanted to depend on music for a job, but there were too many different interesting classes and I ran out of time before I could decide on a second major. But I’m actually glad I did it that way. Taking classes in many different subjects turned out to give me a more well-rounded education than getting a second major in something, which would have required all the extra classes to be focused on one subject."
Why the harp?
"People always ask me that question and I don’t know how to answer it. I simply always wanted to play the harp. When I was little, my parents couldn’t afford a harp, but we had a piano, so they got me piano lessons. When I was in fifth grade we had an assignment to make a musical instrument, the idea being something like a shoebox guitar with rubber band strings or something of the sort, but I tried to make a harp: I took three pieces of wood to make a triangle shape, and strung it with fishing wire but was disappointed that it didn’t sound like a harp. When I was in college studying piano, there was someone majoring in harp there, and I asked her to teach me on the side, but I didn’t really have time because of the intense coursework and practice time required on the piano. I started the harp a few years after college. I never intended to play it professionally - in fact when I graduated from college I was so burnt out from the competitive atmosphere and the classical-training approach to music that I had decided to quit playing music, and I started working at a museum. When I started renting the harp, I thought I would just play it in my room for fun. I had no idea it would develop into a full-time career!"
How did you get started?
"When I started playing the harp, I was burnt out on classical music and much more interested in the many other kinds of music that exist in the world, especially music of various folk traditions. I was interested in Celtic harp music and especially the traditional harp music from various countries in South America and Mexico. That was my focus, but I was driving in the car one day listening to the radio and Dido’s song “White Flag” came on, and I thought “that would sound amazing on the harp” so I made a little harp arrangement of it..."
What do you like the least about what you do?
"All the time it takes to answer emails and do admin work! And hauling 60 lbs of harp and sound equipment, up stairs and in and out of the car every day 😆"
To learn more about Shelley or explore her work, visit: shelleyotis.com.
If this post has touched, inspired you, or made you smile, please share it with a friend. That’s the best way to help me grow this series and celebrate more incredible women like Shelley. 💛
Thank you for reading,
Ana Harris
Ana Harris - Personal Stylist
Color Analysis - Wardrobe Styling
Studio in Fall River, MA - Serving clients from Rhode Island, Boston, and beyond.
