Secondhand clothes are usually a way to save money, not to launch a career. For one Riyadh-based fashion stylist, the thrift rack became the starting line. JL Santiago Pamintuan, 28, built a styling career in Saudi Arabia over four years with no industry connections, very little money, and a sharp eye for pieces other people had already given away.
Today, JL handles concept development, wardrobe sourcing, fittings, styling teams, and creative direction for editorial and runway work. His biggest moment so far came as lead stylist for a major runway production, dressing multiple designers’ collections and models.
From customer calls to clothing racks
Fashion was not his first job. Back home, JL worked as a customer service representative, a role that built the communication and problem-solving skills he would later rely on backstage. The move abroad came out of necessity.
“I chose to work abroad because of the limited opportunities and financial challenges I experienced in the Philippines,” JL shares with TGFM. “I wanted to improve my family’s quality of life, become financially independent, and build a more stable future for myself.”
His first jobs in Saudi Arabia were at the bottom of the industry ladder: styling assistant and model dresser.
Starting with nothing
“I started from zero in the industry, with no connections and very limited funds,” the former customer service representative recalls. “I turned my love for thrifting into styling and slowly built opportunities through hard work and persistence.”
His family offered support from afar. Closer to the work, Maru, a fellow Filipino and JL’s styling assistant, was one of the first people who truly believed in him as a stylist.
What keeps JL going is the craft itself. “The most satisfying part is turning ideas into looks and seeing how clothing can boost someone’s confidence and self-expression,” the stylist says.
Making room for others
The thrifting habit that started it all now shapes JL’s larger mission. He wants to champion sustainable fashion and encourage others to choose secondhand and more conscious clothing.
As co-founder of Riyadh Creative Society, which JL describes as the first community for fashion and creatives in the region built from the ground up, the Filipino stylist also wants to open more doors for emerging talent.
For fellow Filipinos abroad, his advice is practical. “Don’t be afraid to start from zero,” JL says. “Stay focused, manage your finances wisely, choose the people you trust carefully, and never lose sight of why you started.”
Living by a mantra of “stay true, stay hungry, stay kind,” JL knows the climb is far from over.
“I believe that starting with little doesn’t mean you have to stay small,” the stylist says. “You just have to keep showing up and creating.”
