Rising Star Elyse Cizek

The beautiful experience of being a creative practitioner is that we are constantly redefining ourselves and how to use our talents and skills. Not that it isn’t challenging. Many of us hustle to make a living off our art form in stages, often before having a set business plan and mission statement, and so we find ourselves unable to afford all of the components needed to produce a final experience. Necessity being the mother of invention, this forces us to become multifaceted professionals — photographers, painters, performers all rolled into one person.

You might call us “gesamtkunstwerk” artists, a 19th century term referring to artists or art works that synthesized everything, all the arts, in one conception.  Legendary composer Richard Wagner was also a costume designer, set designer, and theater revolutionary. Members of the Milwaukee fashion community often use a similar approach: Our area of expertise bleeds into our other interests to create a robust learning experience for us and a (hopefully) engaging moment for our audience.

Whew, that was long introduction to get us to one particular individual who embodies this kind of approach, our local renaissance artist, Elyse Cizek. Elyse has made a name for herself as a stunning model because she is a natural born beauty. But she is oh-so-much-more than just a pretty face. She is a Certified Aveda Makeup Educator and Coach, which traces back to her theatrical experience in high school, which led her to study poetry and creative writing. She now expresses her poetry visually.

She worked for several years as a makeup artist for Neroli Salon & Spa, and has modeled at a long list of shows in Milwaukee and Chicago.  As a model her image has found its way to wine bottles, a painting, and in many print features. She has also co-directed major fashion shows including the Project Runway Premier fashion event at The Pfister Hotel and the annual Made in Milwaukee Creators and Creators show.

I first met this multitalented woman when working on the renowned Run-Up to the Runway. We traveled together, with fellow models Krysta Marie, Layna Macdowell, and Milwaukee’s Model of the Year, Ashley Petry, to Wisconsin Rapids where Elyse inspired an incredibly talented group of students at the Mid-State Technical College. She had her instructor hat on tight and inspired a small town to let them know no dream is too big, no matter where you come from.

So what is she up to now? I was particularly excited about highlighting Elyse because she is now the fashion director at the newest fashion collective on the Milwaukee scene, Studio WW.

Elyse is focused on practical beauty and presenting fashion fantasy that is obtainable. As I am one who leans toward the outrageous and using costumes, I always enjoy how she is able to achieve the same drama and intrigue with a sophisticated everyday look. You can catch her at any moment and you’ll find her with impeccably executed make-up.

With a child-like giggle and the determination of a lion, Elyse is definitely a mover and shaker within the Milwaukee fashion community and a talent to keep your eye on. I’m excited to see what she and Studio WW have in store for us in the future.