"I'm so happy to live in New York and been raised in Tofino-Ucluelet," said Harris. "Being from a small town and real humble beginnings, it really keeps me grounded."

Harris, 36, is a New York-based freelance fashion stylist who liaises with the city's top designers and then creates the wardrobes - clothes, shoes and accessories - for musicians, entertainers and models.

Her work has appeared in the magazines Spin, Flare, Fashion and Elle, among others, and she's worked for clients like Kanye West, Hayden Christensen, Debbie Harry and Will Ferrell.

Earlier this month, she helped Leslie Feist - one of Canada's most popular musicians, and Harris's biggest client - dress for appearances that included David Letterman's show and "Saturday Night Live."

"(I've) always loved fashion," said Harris. "(I've) always loved the concept of taking a piece of fabric and making it into something beautiful."

"It's like playing dress-up every day. I get paid to do it."

Harris's passion for fashion was born a continent away from New York in the remote communities of Tofino, Ucluelet and Port Alberni.

Her father, Leverne Duckmanton, was and still is an avid surfer and musician, and her mother Jean Duckmanton worked at the local library and sewed her daughters' clothes.

"My parents were definitely the ones who introduced me to music, fashion, film, books," she said. "My mom worked part-time at the library when we were kids and we devoured all the books she brought home for us."

"My parents have always encouraged my drawing and painting, my creativity and imagination and my love for fashion. I have them to thank for that."

Kemal was born in Tofino and attended Ucluelet schools up to Grade 11. In Grade 12 she transferred to Alberni District secondary school.

After high school, she moved to Vancouver and attended the Helen Lefeaux Inc. School of Fashion Design. With one semester to go before graduation, she left school for a series of jobs with Tommy Hilfiger, Timberland and Chanel.

In 2005, she moved to New York, where she has worked for the past three years.

Carley Duckmanton, Kemal's younger sister, said she's not surprised.

"I think it was always her dream to be there," she said. "I really think she's just living her dream."

Carley said while she'd play outside as a child, Kemal would stay inside and draw. Even at the beach, she added, Kemal would rather draw on the sand. And on their bedroom walls, Kemal had posters and pictures of New York.

"It's always been around her," Carley said.

"She's done really well. (We're) very proud of her. She wants to make it farther."

That's a sentiment Kemal agrees with.

In 2007, she teamed up with L.A.-based stylist Karla Welch, a native of Powell River, B.C.

When their celebrity clients are in Los Angeles, Welch dresses them. In New York, it's Harris's turn.

"For our clients who travel constantly, we can assure them that at least one of us will be on hand to make them look great," Harris said.

On April 6, she will work with Feist at Canada's Juno Awards in Calgary.

"I think I'll be here for a while," Harris said of her New York base.

"I always hoped to work in it (fashion). I just never knew I'd end up in New York doing it."