In the coming weeks, I will be sharing some editorial work from teams who attended, supported and wrote about the recent Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom runway event made possible by the Universal franchise in Australia. Continue Reading…
On 11 April 2018, Universal Brand Development executed a sensational Australian fashion industry coup. In collaboration with Jade Cosgrove of Label Ministry, the entertainment giant staged the first ever film-fashion runway event to take place in Australia.
It was a meeting of,
Well … dinosaurs really … life size ones at that; and the biggest movie studio in the world collaborating with seven incredible Australian designers.
Yeah. That’s all.
The story goes like this …
The glamorous invitation-only event was a night to remember, as “Jurassic World – Fallen Kingdom” came alive on the runway at Australian Technology Park, showcasing seven of Australia’s most talented designers who unleashed their Jurassic inspired collections. Continue Reading…
Tatyana Designs
Runways are crucial to the development of fashion. They illustrate a moment in time, a shift in trends, a certain look, they reflect the current culture and they represent who we are. It’s not just a string of clothes on a catwalk – it’s a story. Runways are stories, and they’re special.
Claire Goldsworthy, The Fashion Advocate.
It’s that time of year again. VAMFF is here. The Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival is fast approaching and the city of Melbourne and fashion devotees from far and wide make their way to the eighteen day long festival. As tribute to this years festival the star of this article is Claire Goldsworthy. A girl after my own heart.
She is the passionate fashionista and founder of the print and digital magazine, The Fashion Advocate and the creator of the collaborative brainchild, The Dress Collective. A collective of emerging Australian designers who manufacture their product in Australia.
This year Claire is at the helm. The Fashion Advocate Runway is a hand-picked collection of emerging Australian designers from around the country. As a vocal and passionate advocate of Australian fashion myself, this runway is one not to be missed by virtue of the fact that its focal point is Australian designers who manufacture in Australia.
Contrary to popular belief there are many emerging and established designers who still manufacture in Australia. In my opinion we should all be following them with great interest, applauding their ethics and moral values, and then setting aside our fashion budget to committing to buying their product, thus supporting their work, and most importantly keeping them in business.
Claire Goldsworthy describes “fast fashion” as “The dirty F-word”! I couldn’t agree more!
Why do we buy fast, dirty, cheap, badly made, unethically produced, highly pollutive fast fashion? Designs that are all too often ripped off from the world’s top designers?? If you have the answer, please let me know, because I am totally miffed as to why these fast fashion giants have such an enormous share of our fashion market. I have written many an article about supporting local Australian fashion and all of you who follow me (God love you all!), well know my opinion on this important subject. Some of you may have already read my article on the Zara Phenomenon …
Have we become such lazy and disinterested sheep that we are incapable of thinking for ourselves? Are we so disinterested in our own local fashion market, and our own economy that we have just given up fighting for what is right? Please. Pretty Please. Buy Australian Made Fashion. Support Australian Designers. Vote with your fashion dollar to create much needed change.
Mhoo Mhoo
Anyhow, back to The Fashion Advocate.
Isn’t it just soooo refreshing to find someone who champions the importance of showcasing, supporting, and bringing to the spotlight, Australian designers, who produce sustainable, ethical product and manufacture in Australia.
Meet Claire Goldsworthy. She is. The Fashion Advocate.
Melbourne Entrepreneur. Fashionista. Editor. Founder of The Dress Collective. Runway Curator. Lover of Australian fashion. Gem.
If you would like to attend the The Fashion Advocate Runway on March 11 get in quick because tix are selling fast!
Here is her story.
Until next time,
Jade xx
VAMFF … Book your tix! March 01 – March 19 2017
Fast fashion has no meaning, no purpose, and no value …
Claire Goldsworthy, The Fashion Advocate.
LM
What is the work of The Fashion Advocate?
TFA
The Fashion Advocate is a print and digital magazine dedicated to Australian made fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands, with a focus on ethical and sustainable content.
LM
What has been the major inspiration for your work?
TFA
I wanted to see change. It drives me mad to see the plethora of fast fashion in shopping centres selling for five dollars a piece. How on earth can a garment be made, transported and retailed for five dollars?
It can’t – unless it’s been created under unsustainable and unethical standards. I was sick of seeing fast fashion crap. Sick of the facts and figures that get released every year about the negative environmental impacts of the fashion industry, and sick and tired of seeing the same style top in ten different stores.
It’s robotic.
Fast fashion has no meaning, no purpose, no value.
The inspiration for The Fashion Advocate was my desire for change; I wanted to promote fashion that matters. I wanted to inspire other people to start thinking about the impact of their shopping habits. I launched The Fashion Advocate to support Australian brands who have morals, values and ethics. To introduce consumers to a range of options that they might not otherwise have known about.
‘Blushed’ By Teagan Jacobs
LM
You are a fashion designer yourself. How does that assist you in understanding the difficulties other designers face?
TFA
I launched my own fashion label straight out of high school and worked everything out the hard way from the bottom up. I have a first-hand understanding of the blood, sweat and tears that go into a locally made fashion label because I’ve been there and done that. I’ve since put that label to rest as my aesthetic has changed, but having the first hand experience exposed me to the ups and downs of fashion.
I understand what brands go through. It helps me connect with designers and it’s not a foreign topic; fashion is simultaneously heart-breakingly hard. It conjures up so many different emotions. My experience helps me write about fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands in a personal way because I get it.
HABADAKAS
LM
How much has your own label, Harriette Hill, influenced your own work?
TFA
Although I don’t run the brand anymore, it all started with Harriette Hill… My love of vintage fabrics, traditional sewing techniques and my ethical values all stem from my first brand. When I inherited my great grandmother’s 1950’s and 1960’s fabric collection, I was forced to find ways to make it last and so my journey into sustainability began.
LM
How important do you believe is the unveiling of collections on the runway?
TFA
Runways are crucial to the development of fashion.
They illustrate a moment in time, a shift in trends, a certain look.
They reflect the current culture and represent who we are. It’s not just a string of clothes on a catwalk – it’s a story.
Runways are stories, and they’re special.
Dida
LM
Yes. Yes. Yes!
LM
How was The Dress Collective birthed?
TFA
Much the same as The Fashion Advocate – I wanted to see change. I had always been interested in fashion and over the years, I worked nationally and internationally in retail, brand management, PR and marketing, runway management, creative direction for various brands large and small, and always in fashion.
I was never truly content with working for other brands as their values and ethics didn’t quite align with mine. I launched The Dress Collective in 2015 to make a positive change for the fashion industry. I just couldn’t sit back and watch the damage anymore.
LM
Please describe the role of The Dress Collective?
TFA
The Dress Collective is an online store that sells only 100 per cent Australian made fashion. It’s also 100 per cent transparent and each designers story is attached to every single item we sell, along with the garment’s design and manufacturing origins. The Dress Collective is more than just an online shop for Australian designers though; it’s a support network and creative foundation, built on a vision of positive and sustainable growth for the future of the Australian fashion industry. It doesn’t focus solely on ‘trends’ or seasonal collections, because that can sometimes create the ideal of ‘past season’ or ‘out of fashion’. Instead, The Dress Collective helps consumers make long term decisions about their wardrobe by introducing them to high quality, trans-seasonal and unique labels.
LM
How difficult is it for Australian labels to produce their collections in Australia?
TFA
Contrary to popular belief, quite easy.
The cost is sometimes higher, but we do have a host of high quality manufacturers in Australia. The question though is about values and profit.
Is it difficult to manufacture in Australia? No.
Is it difficult to compete with fast fashion when you manufacture in Australia? Yes.
Local manufacturing can be costly, which drives up the cost of the final garment, but the value is in the ethical benefits of local manufacturing, so it depends on what you value and which part of the production cycle you consider to be more important.
Cameron & James
LM
What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing Australian designers in our current market?
TFA
Fast fashion. The dirty F-word!
People are hungry for unique clothing; the challenge isn’t demand as there’s plenty of that.
It’s the cheap fast fashion that causes a problem, and it starts to desensitise people to the bigger problem. You don’t think much about a twenty dollar top because you’d pay the same for pizza, therefore you’re more likely to throw it away, not care for it, and replace it with another twenty dollar top.
It’s a vicious cycle and it’s a hard one to break. The constant struggle is educating people about the importance of supporting local brands and the play-off between fast and slow fashion is an enormous challenge.
LM
What is your opinion of fast fashion? What do you believe is its future?
TFA
Fast fashion has ruined our industry, globally.
It’s raping and pillaging the earth, killing garment workers and devaluing something that deserves so much more credit and thought. I do believe that people are slowly waking up to the impact of fast fashion and slowly making better choices, but it’s going to take a long time to see a total shift.
I won’t stop fighting for slow fashion though, no matter long it takes.
Sets of Seven
LM
What do you most love about Australian fashion?
TFA
The diversity of it. I know labels that make entire garments out of pompoms, and some that make entire garments out of repurposed jeans. There are so many unique and diverse labels locally. I love it! Australian designers tend to be very self-driven and not focus on global trends too much because of the differences in season and locality compared with the rest of the world.
LM
What are your favourite Australian labels?
TFA
All of the labels I stock online at The Dress Collective!
I hand pick them and they’re all so unique, yet very wearable and practical. Black Mob is incredible – it’s unisex and very vocal about the issues it stands for, I love it. DEVOI is another of my favourites; I absolutely love bright colour and prints, and this label delivers both.
Rayan Ardati
LM
Please share your views on the importance of ethical and sustainable fashion production?
TFA
It’s not even a question for me – you either engage ethical and sustainable practices, or you shouldn’t be running a business. If you are going to offer a product to the world, it is your responsibility to do so in an ethical manner; the harm of people or the environment shouldn’t be something that is gambled in the process. It is so very simple to ensure ethical and sustainable production and something you choose. Every step of the process is a choice for brands. We live in an incredible country and we are so very fortunate; we take it for granted. No-one in Australia would accept the garment factory working conditions or pay that are ‘the norm’ in third world countries. No-one would show up to work in Australia for those conditions. If you wouldn’t accept it for yourself, you shouldn’t accept it for any other person involved in the cycle of your business.
LM
How does VAMFF differ to the other events across the Australian fashion calendar?
TFA
I love VAMFF!
It is such an inclusive, diverse festival that appeals to so many different people from all walks of life. The main fashion week is of course very targeted to your fashion-nuts, but the wider calendar includes beauty events, styling workshops, business seminars, shopping activations, film, photography … there’s something for everyone and I’m all about inclusion and diversity.
LM
I believe you are curating your own show this year at VAMFF – The Fashion Advocate Runway. Please tell us more …
TFA
I am SO excited to be curating this event! I’ve handpicked twelve labels from around the country to showcase the diversity and talent of the Australian fashion industry, and all labels are entirely Australian made.
There tends to be a stigma around Australian made fashion and I’m working endlessly to ensure that the wider public understands the industry. People don’t realise that everything you need in your wardrobe – whether it be corporate attire, lingerie, formal wear, swimwear, sleepwear, whatever – can be bought from designers who manufacture locally. The details have been meticulously planned, from the local cocktails on offer to the gifts in the VIP bags – it’s all about Australian made. I’ve partnered with Luna Park too; I’m honoured to be hosting an event at such an iconic and historic venue, it all ties in with the message of valuing local, our roots and delving deeper into everything we buy, wear and engage with.
It’s going to be a very special event!
LM
And indeed it will be! The designers are …
Habadakas, Tatyana Design, Vincent Li, Diida, p’junk by Kate Hannah, Oroceo Castro, Lorenza The Label, Rayan Ardati, Cameron & James, Mhoo Mhoo, Blushed by Teagan Jacobs, and Fool.
Lorenza The Label
LM
If you could speak openly, what would you say to Australian consumers?
TFA
Buy less, choose well, shop local. Start thinking about the impact of your choices and start creating the kind of world that you want for future generations; the world’s resources are not infinite. Support your local designers and design your own image around the message you want to promote; use fashion as a method of positive impact and change.
LM
How can we best support emerging designers in Australia?
TFA
By shopping online at The Dress Collective!
Shameless plug!
LM
Love a shameless plug!
Come on peeps … Shop. Shop. Shop!
Vincent Li
The Fashion Advocate Runway Designer Line-Up
Follow them on Instagram and show your support!
Habadakas Instagram, Tatyana Design Instagram, Vincent Li Instagram, Diida Instagram, p’junk by Kate Hannah, Oreceo Castro, Lorenza The Label, Rayan Ardati, Cameron & James, Mhoo Mhoo, ‘Blushed’ by Teagan Jacobs, and Fool.
Annabelle and Eve, Awaken The Haus, Azulant Akora, Black Mob The Label, Cameron & James, Devoi, Don’t Do Pretty, Espire Clothing, Harriette Hill, Jude, Letitia Green, Marcela’s Accessories, Mici Jay, Oroceo Castro, Rbcca Kstr, Sets of Seven, Tatyana Design, The Spotted Quoll Studio, Vincent Li, Vous, Why Mary
Orocéo Castro
Remember …
“Buy less, choose well, shop local. Start thinking about the impact of your choices and start creating the kind of world that you want for future generations; the world’s resources are not infinite. Support your local designers and design your own image around the message you want to promote; use fashion as a method of positive impact and change”.
Claire Goldsworthy, The Fashion Advocate.
The Fashion Advocate Runway Venue
See you at VAMFF 2017! …
Until next time,
Jade xx
“A garment can transcend, giving it a soul.
I translate fabrics into soft and romantic silhouettes, using natural fabrics like silks and cottons, which are kind to the skin.
Distressing fabrics and alchemically treating them, gives the feeling of already ‘being loved’, thus evoking emotion. Even one-off fabrics found in flea markets can be given new life.
Richly embellished fabrics echo Eastern influences, and I have great respect for their traditions. Inspiration can be found from the past – re-using vintage textiles and sometimes creating replicas of them, incorporated with specific craftsmanship.
The number of hours someone has spent on manual work like this makes it priceless.
I see craftsmanship as an implement with which to realise one’s vision. Past, present and future; that slogan continues in almost everything around which my work evolves. Timeless beauty and femininity in my design is profound, in a way for the wearer to express their inner soul.”
Akira Isogawa
Akira Isogawa | Spring Summer 2017
This week I was blessed. Truly blessed.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Akira Isogawa, one of Australia’s most loved and iconic fashion designers. I can’t tell you how exciting this was for me. As a younger woman, some moons ago, ok, many moons ago, I used to ooooh and aaaah over the most exquisite fabrics reminiscent of liquid silk, colours that adorned only my imagination, and garments so beautiful I was sometimes left breathless. For the many moons which have passed since, Akira has continued as the master that he is, creating one collection after another, with the same, if not a greater level of beauty and craftsmanship.
To me this man is a legend.
As all of my devoted followers already know, earlier this year, I had the pleasure of perusing on mass, the breathtaking young smorgasbord of talent that Australia serves up each and every year at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. After the week long event, which is the highlight of the years for all Australian fashion devotees, I methodically work my way through the incredible mix of entrepreneurial youth, offering them the opportunity to publish an affordable and effective public relations interview to promote their names and their emerging brands.
Frederick Jenkyns collection was outstanding. I met him the very day of the unveiling of his collection, but am bringing you this interview after corresponding with him in London, his new place of residence.
As I am sure you are aware, and if you are not, please consider this.
Our emerging designers are quite literally our fashion future. They represent the group of people who will lead us strongly, both locally and internationally, in the ethical and sustainable production of our beloved fashion industry. Young people such as Frederick will most likely be the names behind your choice of dressing and the other interiors of our design lives for decades to come. It is essential that we support them, read about them, buy their product and offer them our gratitude and encouragement.
Please remember to share the love.
Australian fashion is depending on you …
Meet Frederick Jenkyn.
In five years? I want to have my own studio with pattern makers/design assistants. A machinist and a social media/online manager.
Rolls and rolls of fabrics and a stock room filled to the brim.
I would like to think I’ll be complaining about needing more space. But then I will think, I need to pay for the embroidery for next season so it’s not a good time to upgrade.
I will only wear black. In case someone visits the studio and I won’t look a mess.
And in the bottom draw of my desk, that looks like a filing draw, I’ll keep some throw rugs for the “before show” all-nighters.
Frederick Jenkyn
Here is Frederick Jenkyn’s story so far …
Frederick Jenkyn as a brand emphasises wearable innovation through unconventional textiles and hand crafted detailing traversing the borderline between couture extravagance and everyday wearability.
Frederick Jenkyn
There are always people who are keen to see you fail, those who are indifferent and those few gorgeous souls who will support you unconditionally, push you to do better and ultimately drive you forward.
Janna Jones
LM
What is the philosophy behind your label?
JJ
The J A N N A J O N E S brand aims to bring the strength, styling and sophistication of European luxury leather goods to the international market (from an Australian base).
The Australian market is unique. Unlike Europe we are unwilling to pay thousands of dollars for a trend item that we will wear a handful of times and then archive. Nor do we pack away our S/S wardrobe and then pull out a completely different A/W one.
The fashion conscious Australian public want quality pieces that have the ability to stand alone, work with the latest trend and can also be styled with much of what they already possess in their wardrobe.
JANNA JONES strives to facilitate the luxury experience by ensuring the provision of high quality leather, silk satin lining and matching dust bag, pressed branding, customised hardware, authentication cards and eternal style at a more accessible price point.
Photographer | Tristan Jud | HMUA | Simone Lee | Model | Jaqueline Baker
LM
What is the inspiration behind your label?
JJ
Accessories are limitless; I pull inspiration from culture, architecture, art, various design mediums, music, engineering etc. Handbags in particular are the ultimate attainable luxury. They are resilient of seasonal trends, and irrepressible by variations in location, climate, culture, politics, religion, diet and age. That in itself deserves global adoration.
Last week I aged about five years. Just as well I was wearing my new Pradas. Like Anna Wintour. Except that I wasn’t wearing them to be cool. No. Just to cover up my very tired face.
This was our last day at Carriageworks, the sun was going down on the event for this year, quite literally.
I loved every single moment!
It is my most favourite week of the year. Strange you might say if it’s my favourite week. Why am I stating negatives? Yes. I can see what you mean. But as wonderful as it is, it is a crazy mix of the greatest excitement you could ever imagine, and the most exhausting of any weeks, all at the same time. It is hype on top of hype. The excitement of seeing the most beautiful people once again, and naturally to catch up in person with all my fashion friends who live all over Australia.
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 2016 or MBFWA. A phenomenal week of the “work” kind of socialising, meeting industry friends, and of course, the reason we all go … to witness, enjoy and revel in the sheer talent of fashion design that Australia is known for.
An industry event full of buyers, bloggers, fashion journalists, editors, spotters, public relations teams, celebrities, and the Who’s Who of the Australian fashion world. I have lost track of how many shows I watched across the week, but what shows they were.
Opened by the incredible Toni Maticevski in the most inspiring of venues, Bangaroo.
Closed by the legendary, Oscar de la Renta, now passed, but Oh! how ‘The Legend’ lives on. It was full house indeed, and any wonder. Elegance personified is our Oscar, and what a treat is was to be able to be present.
Bangaroo is just an incredible place, period. But for a fashion show? Simply memorable. Most of the other shows were at Carriageworks in Sydney’s Everleigh, and of course, like always there were the “off site” shows, like the one at Bradfield Park in Sydney’s north. Literally under the Harbour Bridge at 9am on a beautiful clear morning, with blue sky and perfectly acquainted by crisp Autumnal air, the Manning Cartell girls did not disappoint. A stunning collection.
Mid week another highlight for me was the McGraw show. Speaking of sisters who never disappoint, I thought this show was beautifully balanced in every way. A great collection. A fun collection. Gorgeous models. Smiling models! Great choice of music and a beautiful happy, original, and unforgettable set!
I proudly tell everyone about MBFWA and my involvement there, because I am truly chuffed at the amazingness we get to call Australian fashion. We are expertly creative and distinctively original in the way we interpret and present fashion. We are a hub of far-away design genius as far as I am concerned and the rest of the world rightly watches in awe when we show our very best Fashionista selves. I will be posting many interviews in the coming weeks about MBFWA Resort 2017 but for now, as a teaser, I thought you might enjoy a taste of my fashion week video gallery.
Until next time,
Jade xx
We are still young but you will never find passion like ours.
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Last week, I attended Mercedes Benz Fashion Week for the whole glorious week!
It is my most favourite week of the year.
Industry professionals line up eagerly each and every year to view the current landscape of Australian fashion and the ever increasing talent of the emerging designer market.
As always, I am there to champion, encourage, and cover editorially, the high stakes game of Australian fashion. The designers, established and emerging, and their often forgotten, phenomenal creative teams.
It was a great privilege to see these very talented individuals forging ahead in the Australian fashion scene and I can only hope that it continues with great vigour.
“Project NextGen is an initiative that is intended to provide a platform to discover and support emerging Australian fashion designers. By connecting these gifted individuals with an experienced panel of industry insiders, the program mentors Australian talent to help them hone a broad range of skills and elevate their profile through industry connections and ongoing business support”.
The winners this year were Anna Quan, Holystone (Renee Sealey), Jason Hewitt, Kaliver (Roni Cross), Monster Alphabets (Sarah Ryoko Watanbe), and Third Form (Merryn Kelly). Judged by the following panel, Edwina McCann (Editor-In-Chief Vogue Australia, Kellie Hush (Editor-In-Chief Harper’s Bazaar Australia), Justin O’Shea (Buying Director mytheresa.com), Emily Weight (Director Fashion IMG Australia), Eva Galambos (Director & Buyer Parlour X), Chris Buchanan (GM Ellery), Donna Player (Merchandise Director David Jones), and Kelly Francis (Fashion Director MADE), we now find ourselves watching the final product. Project NextGen 2016.
Jason Hewitt showed his Resort 17 Collection.
Get out of H&M and Topshop and Forever New, and all that crap. It’s bad for the environment and it’s bad for you. Ultimately it won’t satisfy. Start buying quality, and curate a wardrobe of things you cherish.
That. Is. Style.
Jason Hewitt
Jason Hewitt Resort 17 Collection | Photographer | Stefan Gosatti | Getty Images
LM
What is the philosophy behind your label?
JH
It’s two fold.
Firstly, Every aspect of your business should be as sustainable and ethical as possible and should not define one as a designer.
Secondly, I enjoy creating pieces that I am proud of and which resonate with people.
LM
What is the inspiration behind your label?
JH
Depends really, it’s so varied. I’m inspired by life, but that sounds a bit new-age-hippy for me. I like contemporary art, culture, reading. I was looking at an interview with JW Anderson recently where he said he wants Loewe to come from a place of culture – I think I agree with that. I’m so fascinated by different cultures, and how they’re presented and old traditions are updated. I think that’s what drives a lot of the things I’m interested in.
Jason Hewitt Resort 17 Collection | Photographer | Stefan Gosatti | Getty Images
LM
What do you think of today’s street fashion?
JH
There’s not really much to think. People should wear what they feel good in. It’s not really my place to have an opinion on it (I dress like an absolute slob most of the time) but I do sometimes take inspiration from the way people put things together.
The street fashion thing feels a bit like an Oroborous these days. Trends are taken from the street and then fed back, like a closed loop. I don’t know if that’s going to generate anything new in terms of design so I do wonder if street fashion isn’t just becoming rather watered down … Normcore, a trend so boring it didn’t need to be named.
LM
Lol! (Normcore is a unisex fashion trend characterized by unpretentious, average-looking clothing).
LM
What advice would you give to aspiring fashion designers?
JH
Learn how to make clothes, properly, before you start designing them. Take your inspiration from anywhere, but avoid looking at other designers unless it’s for a historical point of reference or a preferred silhouette. Look at other designers work from a construction point of view not design. Go to museums, read books, get off your phone, close your computer and take it all in. The internet is a great resource but it’s not the same as the real thing.
I first discovered the work of Bec Cole when I was at VAMFF earlier this year. Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival is always a treat as it combines the week long excitement of the runway with a cultural taste of Melbourne itself, and it truly is a wonderful delicatessen of fashion experience.
On one of the last days, through the haze of my exhaustion I could feel my interest pique when I saw Bec’s work, and made a mental note to myself as I do to remember to contact her with a view to highlight the obvious dedication to her work when I returned home.
Bec is one of the highly talented, hard working stylists, and passionate devotees of the Australian fashion industry, who travels far and wide to bring us the wonderful smorgasbord of visual delight that only such a stylist can.
A kind of creative hero if you like. I feel we tend to forget the amazing creative minds and teams who sit behind the creation of the collections of fashion designers. Personally, I believe it is so important to remember to applaud the work of these dedicated professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes.
Very loudly.
Enjoy xx
Stylist |Bec Cole | Photographer | Benn Jay | Hair & Makeup | Blanka Dudas
LM
What do you believe is the role of “the stylist”?
BC
A stylist is a visual translator….helping a designer, art director or editor achieve a look, story and campaign brief. It’s helping create a visual reality….This can be anything from dressing talent, liaising with designers to designing sets and alternative worlds.
I have a background in set design, so I love seeing a whole vision come to life….this includes not only the wardrobe side of things, but the propping, set design….even the casting of the talent / models. It’s helping everything come together visually to tell the whole story.
If you put something together and it doesn’t look so good, the fashion police are not going to come take you away. And if they do, you might have some fun in jail.
The wonderful American Style Queen, Iris Apfel, commenting on how women combine the elements of good dressing …
well, after all, Iris should know …
Who better than Iris to show us all how to put the ultimate in fashion craziness together with some other garments which equals perfection?
Our current world is so homogenised in every way. And the way we dress has become a victim to it. Whatever happened to wearing crazy colours, either on their own, or together? I have styled many people over the years who have been afraid to wear colour. Want to add colour to your wardrobe? Here’s how.
Remember that colour does not have to be always worn near the face. It can be introduced into an outfit with colourful shoes or a handbag.
Wear colours that make you feel good and remember that as we age, hair colour and skin tone changes. Revise your colour choices often. Finding confidence in this ability is how we all secure a connection with our own confidence and creates our sense of wellbeing. Be prepared to take a “fresh look” at yourself and reassess how you can improve your image. If you’re not comfortable wearing colourful garments introduce colours through nail varnish, lipstick or your hair!
Photography & Styling | Karlstrom Creatives
Colour does not have to take the form of block colour. Sometimes we look better in plain colours or colours that are infused within a pattern.
If you prefer to wear plain, block colours because you feel they suit you better, try introducing patterns and interesting prints through cute shoes and handbags. Another idea is the simple layering of colour underneath another block colour, such as white or black. I like to call it ‘colour referencing’.
Remember, all you are trying to achieve is a “joining of the dots” effect – a visual reference of design and colour, continuity and harmony.
Colourful tops, and even tops with a blend of more muted colours, can look great underneath plain understated jackets.
An outfit of block colours works a treat with a gorgeous pair of leopard print ballet flats and a stylish Gucci handbag! Things do not necessarily have to match but there does need to be a marriage of harmonious elements and colour tone. Tonally they work together and there is enough visual space between the two items to make the combination work. The natural balance of the outfit then becomes effortless and an understated elegance of good quality and taste becomes the highlighted theme.
All beautifully constructed outfits and exceptional dressing comes down to the combination of colour and texture, and the ability to achieve the all-important balance of proportion.
It is always a good idea to be generally aware of what is trending, not because your individual style depends on this, but because it allows you to have a choice of product in every season to add different elements of value to your wardrobe.
Photography & Styling | Karlstrom Creatives
If you wear black or grey, wear colour that compliments your main palette. Try to move outside of the normal combination. For instance, lime green and acid yellow are exceptionally beautiful with black. Gerbra pink is divine with charcoal.
If you are teaming these items with jeans or casual trousers, bring the reference of colour from the top of your body (ie. lime green top), down to the feet with gorgeous flats in a tonally appropriate colour, or paint your toe nails in a tonally balanced shade in open-toed heels.
Introduce visual depth and weight and experiment with colour, tone and texture.
Adhering to these general rules will mean that you achieve a lovely balance in your wardrobe that you will be pleased to visit every day!
Until next time,
Jade xx
