Christopher Felt: The Visionary Behind the Winning Look at the Crocs EXP Styling Competition

In just three short months since arriving in New York City, Christopher Felt is already making waves in the fashion industry. The Jersey-born, Boston-raised stylist recently won the Crocs EXP styling competition held at SEED Brklyn, where six contestants were challenged to style a Croc shoe in three hours.

Christopher is quickly earning wider recognition, with his win mentioned in a story published by ESSENCE magazine and Milk, the parent company of Milk Makeup, via Instagram. For Felt, this victory isn't just a personal achievement—it's a win for his entire community and a reflection of his journey and growth as a stylist.

Brooklyn, where he's currently based, was a key influence on his competition look. He drew inspiration from the diverse, vibrant culture around him and wanted his styling to reflect that authenticity.

As the competition winner, Felt will have the opportunity to work on an official campaign with Crocs, marking his first major campaign in the fashion industry. This campaign will be a significant milestone that promises to open doors for him in the styling world.

Reflecting on what it took to achieve this success, Chris explains, "2025 has already been an amazing year for me creatively," he says. "I've always kept my head down in my work and worked hard, so it feels nice to have experiences like this where I can take a moment to look up at all I have accomplished and to see the support I have gained along the way."

At the start of the night, attendees voted for their favorite look, and while speaking to the voters, many expressed how they could truly see themselves in Felt's look.

Felt was the only competitor to incorporate a skirt into his look, which he feels was a key differentiator. "The maxi skirt helped my look stand out and connect with the audience," he explains.

His dedication to pushing boundaries helped him craft a look that was visually appealing, exciting, and aligned with Crocs' evolving identity. Felt saw an opportunity to fill in a gap he noticed by pairing the brand's Quick Trail Low Mossy Oak shoes with a traditionally feminine silhouette, which paid off. For Chris, this was a testament to the power of staying true to his creative instincts and understanding what the audience— and the brand— truly needed.

Styling, for Felt, stretches beyond aesthetics—it's about marketing. "I view styling as a form of marketing," he says. "It's about understanding an audience and knowing how to communicate with them visually."

Thus, his approach is intentionally research-driven and organized. In the days leading up to the competition, he meticulously combed through Crocs' social media channels, observing the brand's visual language and marketing strategies, ensuring his look would align with their future-forward vision.

Ultimately, Felt's approach was no different when it came to competition day. "I came prepared with my notes and boards to make sure my three hours went as smoothly as possible," he explains. "I wanted to make sure I had a clear vision of what I was going to create, even though I didn't know exactly what I'd have to work with that day."

Amid this major achievement, Felt expresses nothing but gratitude and humility. "Seeing all of the support in person truly moved me," he says. "I always say, 'Let go and let God.' Once you allow the universe to take over, you begin to see results from your hard work," he shares.

For him, the competition wasn't about surpassing others but about staying true to his vision and ensuring that vision translated perfectly onto his model. He believes that "comparison is the thief of all joy," viewing his only competition as himself. This mindset was evident as he spent the evening not just acknowledging but truly celebrating the success of runner-up Moses "Zay" Fofana.

To those who may not yet be familiar with Felt's work: don't sleep on this rising star. As he continues to push boundaries and inspire, we'll be right there, watching his journey unfold.

As a final thought, I can't help but add the Crocs Quick Trail Low Mossy Oak to my cart, available now exclusively on the Crocs app—it's a versatile piece that will fit seamlessly into any fashion-forward wardrobe.