Interview with Sara Darling

Here's my recent interview with stylist Sara Darling: 

1. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

I am a freelance fashion/wardrobe stylist, fashion editor and journalist

2. Why did you want to become a fashion Stylist?

I have a degree in journalism and started my career at The Face magazine in the late nineties. I was working on reception, hoping to work my way up, but kind of fell into styling.

3. Did you have any experience in fashion before becoming a stylist?

I have always been interested in fashion, and used to wear some crazy home -made ensembles, but I didn't realize I could make a career out of it before I worked at The Face magazine.

4. Can you describe what type of stylist you are and the work that you do e.g. Personal?
I am a working stylist- so I do whatever styling that is involved to pay the rent! This ranges from fashion editorial shoots, to brand campaigns, TV commercials and music videos. I am currently in Beirut, working with a Dubai client on their fashion brand launch shoot.

5. What has been your dream job or your dream client?

I worked with Helena Christensen on a Habitat campaign, and I shot a high fashion editorial in the middle of the Cannes film festival which was crazy but fun!

6.  Who has been an inspiration to you?

I love the eccentricity of London and the UK as a whole. People are really adventurous and eclectic.

7. What have been the most valuable lesson or challenges that you have learnt in this industry?

Remember people's names!!!

8. What are some of your favourite places to shop?

Charity shops, TK Maxx in the sticks for the best rummaging, and foreign countries for unusual local finds.

9. What tips would you give anyone who is starting out in fashion?

Get used to loooooong days and lots of running around- its not all champagne for breakfast- that comes later!

You can have a look at Sara's portfolio here

Thanks for your time Sara x

Jewellery Editorials

When you’re flicking through your pages of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar or Elle you normally come across some jewellery editorials. These are pages are there to promote jewellery brands from designers or the high street.

Usually the Editorials are styled to enhance or draw attention to the jewellery, which is understandable as customers will need to see the pieces. A stylist would normally style the jewellery pieces on a model or with other props. If the jewellery is styled on a model it is normally exaggerated as the stylist would use many jewellery pieces to create the look which would be perfect for an editorial and also helps to promote the jewellery brand. 

The stylists job would be to create a look which is contemporary but not over- powering. Emphasis is normally on how the jewellery pieces are styled and how well they fit together, so colour and proportions and the brief would normally need to be considered. Have a look at the examples above. These examples are all styled creatively with a theme in mind.

Here is a Chanel AD Campaign which is to promote the Chanel Brand, but the emphasis is also on the jewellery pieces that are styled to create an Indian inspired look. 

Chanel’s Metier d’Arts Paris-Bombay Collection is styled by the former Paris Vogue Editor Carine Roitfeld and shot by Karl Lagerfeld.

Find The Perfect Pair of Jeans!

One of the biggest problems that all women have is finding the right pair of jeans. Sometimes they're too tight, uncomfortable or don’t complement your body shape. The best thing to do is find your body shape (apple, pear, hourglass, athletic and petite) as this can help you find the perfect pair of jeans that fit well.

Here are some tips for different types of body shapes:

Curvy Curves:  For you the best fit would be the classic or relaxed fit, which should be worn on the hips. It’s best to avoid a tight fit because it will make you feel uncomfortable.

Heavier Thighs:  For you the best pair of jeans is the boot-cut. This helps to balance out your legs as well help you to look good. It’s best to avoid high wasted jeans as they won’t do justice to your shape.

Short Waist: Try out the hipster, and simply avoid high waists.

Petite: Try out a straight pair of jeans with a long leg and it should be worn just above the hips. You should try to avoid wide legs or low cut jeans as they can make you look shorter.

Curvy but a Small Waist: Try out a pair of jeans that is straight but has a stretch. Make sure the pair of jeans is tight. Once again its best to avoid a high waisted pair, as it can make you look out of proportion.

Boyish Figure: Try out a low rise straight leg or a high waisted pair. Avoid jeans that don’t add curves to your body.

The key is to shop for your body shape and these are just small tips that can help you in choosing the right fit.

So good luck in finding the right pair of jeans, when out shopping!

The DVF Mantra iPad Case

I have just come across these cute Mantra iPad Cases from DVF. This case is available in red or metallic leather for £127. The cover of the case is embedded with a quote and signed by Diane Von Furstenberg and finished with a gold zip closure. The case from the inside is also very versatile with elasticated corners to hold the iPad in place. I also like the fact that it has pockets so you can carry cards and any documents with you at all times.

One of the main reasons that this case stood out for me was because of the quote by Diane Von Furstensberg: "WORDS ARE POWERFUL, USE THEM CAREFULLY"- short quote. I'm a big fan of accessories, so I think this case is kind of cute!

You can purchase your DVF case by clicking here.

Three Floors Fashion AW12 Editorial

I love this editorial by Three Floors Fashion. I think all the creatives involved on this shoot have done a good job of creating a visual story!

Art Director: Han Chong

Photographer: Takahito Sasaki

Stylist: Ozzy Shah

Assistant Stylist: Keena Liew

Hair: Takuya Morimoto

Make-Up: Jennifer Mika Avins

Love Fashion Sales!

Do you love Designer Clothes from your favourite brands? Then look no further as LOVE FASHION SALES is the perfect site for you. This is an on-line site that carries all the designer labels that you can think of, ranging from Topshop, Roberto Cavalli, Kurt Geiger to Michael Kors.

It's very simple to register the site for free. When you log onto the site you will have to fill in a registration form. The next step will provide you with a list of designer brands and a list of high street labels. You will then have to choose all your favourites, and will have the  option to choose from over 7,000 + Brands. Lastly you have the chance to choose the category of clothing that you would like e.g- Dresses.  

The last section is about you for example, your dress size, shoe size and lingerie size. Finally you get to choose a budget and the frequency of emails you would like on the deals. I think that this is a great idea especially if you have a budget. You will then receive deals from your favorite designers in your sizes. Then all you will have to do is choose and pay!

Animal Instinct at ASOS

Mono Tiger Jumper-£30.00

Panda Jumper-£30.00

Petite Bulldog Jumper-£30.00

Scotty Dog Jumper Dress-£38.00

Owl Jumper-£30.00

Cat Face Jumper-£32.00

Sugarhill Animal Jumper-£48.00

Sugarhill Foxy Jumper-£48.00

Cat Jacquard Cardigan-£30.00

Paw Print Jumper-£32.00

Cat Jumper-£32.00

Tiger Jumper-£30.00

I've just stumbled across these jumpers from ASOS and they're just so cute to wear this winter. They're all  made from cotton blends and so would definitely keep you warm. Each jumper has some kind of animal design on it like an owl, panda or a fox etc. I would have to say that my favourite would have to be the Monochrome Tiger Jumper...I love the monochrome aspect of it. These can be easily paired with a pair of skinny jeans or a pair of shorts for a laid back look. They're comfy and warm and perfect for winter. I think ASOS definitely have the most adorable jumpers, don't you think! 

Take your pick by clicking here

Chocolate Boutique Anyone?

Unfortunately The Chocolate Boutique doesn't sell any chocolate, however they do sell a variety of collections from Independent Designer Labels. This boutique carries a large amount of clothes, jewellery and accessories...all selected form the owner Jo. She makes her choices on brands that she could relate to, or is fond of their creations.

Personally I love boutiques which carry independent designer labels. I think customers get to choose good quality clothing etc... from labels that have limited distribution. This way whatever you choose to buy you can be sure that it's unique and it can bring something different to your outfit.

I was fond of all the accessories at the boutique especially all the jewellery pieces. See all the images of the jewellery pieces and see what I discovered at the boutique below.

The Chocolate Boutique carries a variety of Independent designer labels including: Anna Scott, Noa Noa, Peppercorn, Sandwich, Desigual, Bohemia, Heather, Lavard, Yumi, Uttam, Millie K, Girls and Pearls.

The Young Republic Xmas Collection

Are you looking for the perfect Christmas present? Then have a look at the Young Republic Christmas Collection. Young Republic is an online retailer that is passionate about representing many new collections. I think it’s great to see that they represent many independent brands, labels and designers from all over the world (Sydney, NY, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Madrid etc). It’s even better that you can shop the Christmas collection online by clicking here, for great gift ideas for anyone in your life. I've searched the gift guide and I would have to say that I love the gifts for her (for the obvious reason) but also for the home. I think there's something for everyone and there's so many unique gift ideas, all under one site (Which is a good thing!) So what would be your favourite collection from Young Republic?

Interview: Lauren Eva

I recently had the chance to interview London based Stylist- Lauren Eva. I found out everything about her journey as a Stylist. So here it goes....hope you enjoy the interview. 

1. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

My name is Lauren Eva, I am a fashion stylist and art director. I was brought up on 50's Hollywood glamour and 80s indie electro. I love to create beautiful and creative fashion imagery.

2. Why did you want to become a fashion Stylist?

It was something that just happened naturally. It was always about clothing and costume for me from a very young age. I remember when I was little asking my Mum to help me make a mermaid costume and sitting stitching endless sequins on in the shape of scales after school - I only ever ended up wearing it in the bath! 

I always had to have the best outfit for costume parties, I always found some kind of excuse to dress up not only myself but all my friends, I would try and style anything and everything, I always spent ages choosing my outfits and I always wore heels to work. My Mother thought I was ridiculous but I used to tell her, "Life's a photo-shoot!"

3. Did you have any experience in fashion before becoming a stylist?

All of that creating outfits and getting dressed up led me to doing a degree in costume design for film and theatre at London College of Fashion. It gave me a great understanding of how to make clothes and all of the effort that goes into each piece. Designing costumes also nurtured the idea that each outfit should tell a story about the character wearing them. I carried on after graduating working on films and for theatre productions but at the same time I was always organising my own shoots. I would create garments and scenarios for each shot and I loved having the creative control to construct an image.

I went on to work in a lingerie boutique, and then went on to be a corset maker, I did a stint working at ASOS and eventually I became a visual merchandiser for Beyond Retro dressing the store and all the mannequins. This gave me a wealth of experience in styling outfits to many varied briefs. 

All the while I was organising my own shoots and eventually started getting work published. It didn't take long until I realised that styling and art direction was what I wanted to do and over a few months I dropped my hours at Beyond Retro and became a full time freelancer. 

4. Can you describe what type of stylist you are and the work that you do e.g. Editorial?

Editorial work is where I feel I can be most creative with both styling and art direction. It exercises my imagination the most and is therefore my favourite genre however, I do really enjoy doing nice clean commercial work as well, such as look-books or marketing shots. I enjoy being able to have a break from over thinking a big scale editorial and just concentrate on a simple but well done fashion image - just a backdrop, an amazing model, incredible clothes and fantastic production values. 

5. What have been the most valuable lessons or challenges that you have learnt in this industry?

I'm lucky in the fact that I haven't had to deal with to many difficult people or 'Divas' so far but on the odd occasion that things have been hard I've learned that clear, fair communication and maturity without seeming patronising are really things you need to help a project run smoothly. When these things aren't present, life is often a lot more difficult. There are still so many things for me to learn and each project seems to throw something at me that I haven't encountered before. 

6. What's your favourite place to shop?

I spend so much time shopping for other people that I do often forget to shop for myself! After many years I am still a fan of vintage and every time I walk into Urban Outfitters there are at least ten things I want.

7. What have been your favourite trends for AW12?

I never really got completely over my teenage Goth years so the fact that it has come back around for this A/W has definitely made me happy! I also love the trend for heavy embellishment with Baroque themes. It's an excuse to wear lots of jewellery.

8. What tips would you give anyone who is starting out in fashion?
Say yes to everything you like the idea of and don't stop working as you risk losing momentum. Smile lots and don't take yourself to seriously :-)

To have a look at Lauren's Portfolio then click here. 

Thanks Lauren for your time X

Roberto Cavalli SS13 Collection

This year Roberto Cavalli launched their SS13 Collection at Milan Fashion Week. This was one of my favourite collections. It consisted of a monochrome theme with a.... dash of colour. Light pastel colours were also injected into the colour palette which rounded the monochrome theme. The designer had concentrated on creating a collection that was feminine yet beautiful. So delicate fabrics like chiffon and lace were used to create a romantic theme. There was also the use of textured materials, embroidery, appliqué and some prints. All the pieces are beautifully constructed, and intricate detail had gone into all the dresses. The collection consisted of knee and floor length dresses, which was a great balance and there were also some separates etc..

All the models had minimal make-up and laid back hair. Some of the models had a minimum amount of jewellery whilst others had none at all, this way the main emphasis was on the sophistication and the construction of the clothes.

Personally I love the collection because all the garments were feminine and represented clothes that women should wear. I also like the fact that the garments had texture as so many different types of materials were used, to create a classy pieces. I can’t help the fact, that I like all the dresses that are black and equally all the dresses that are in white… I cant choose between the two.  I would have to say job well done to Roberto Cavalli!

The Classy Wardrobe Challenge

A Style Challenge was set up The Classy Wardrobe which involved in creating three looks with a chosen dress from their website. After browsing around I chose a Rosie Dress by Vivel which costs £109.00. This is a grey pencil dress with a belt detail at the waist creating a more feminine silhouette. The  sleeveless dress is finished with a V-Neck . Here’s how I chose to style the dress…..

Out to Breakfast: I paired the dress with a simple short black cardigan which can help to create an illusion of a pencil skirt to which I added some ballet flats. Then to accessorize the outfit I chose some pearl jewellery pieces which are elegant and I also added a large black tote. It’s important to keep things minimal for this look and not to over accessorize.

In the Boardroom: For this look I paired the dress with a short blazer and some black courts. To accessorize this outfit I chose to pair it with a classy watch and a ring once again the jewellery was kept to a minimal. I also added a large satchel with is appropriate to carry work etc..in. In the boardroom you would want to dress classy and professional yet stylish.

After work Drinks: For this look I paired the dress with a quilted leather black jacket with some shiny high courts. Then I chose a pair of chandelier earrings and a statement ring to accessorize the outfit, which is needed to make the look more glamours and chic. The final touch is the small clutch with is appropriate for going out. With this look you can pull off wearing more over the top jewellery pieces.

 

The Geek/Chic Rucksack from Chanel

I know it’s back to school season so rucksacks are going to be essential… right. I guess it’s the same on the runway. Chanel has cleverly incorporated this idea into a rucksack,which is so cute. As you can see they have many editions to the ultimate Geek/Chic Rucksack. I’m sure that you’ll agree that they’re adorable. I like that fact that the famous quilted design has been incorporated into the rucksacks whilst they still remain different from each other. There is also a tweed version available in plum and black which is petite yet fashionable. So if you deciding to go back to College or University bear in mind the Chanel Rucksack. These bags are small yet versatile and I think you’ll love them. Have you seen any other versions of the Chanel Rucksack or Backpack (known by some)?

Pantone Colours for AW12

Now it’s time of the year where we’re all excited to see the new trends, designs and not to mention the colour palette for Autumn/Winter. Pantone has made this job very easy for us by compiling the colour hues that would be very popular this season. As you can see this winter this we’ll be dressed in very sophisticated yet feminine hues. I would say that the dominant colours are the pink and blue shades.These are perfect colours for your favourite garments whether its coat, skirt, blouse or a dress. The colours complement and work well together…so it’s a good batch. I would have to say that Rhapsody or Rose Smoke would be two of my favourite colours as I like the pink undertones, and it works well for clothes. I feel that these two colours can easily work well together and with the colours from the palette. So its much easier to mix and match. Now you have an idea what the main colour palette is and hopefully, you'll be adding these colours into your wardrobe very soon.

Website Review: The Classy Wardrobe

Majority of us will attend an interview in our lifetimes, hopefully many of us will go on many interviews. Normally at an interview you want to wear something that is classy, sophisticated yet fashionable yet sometimes it hard to find the right outfit ….. maybe because you live in a small town or your high street retailer isn't selling what you’re looking for. Then this is the right time to order an outfit on-line. If you’re in an interview or meeting a client you want to look your best, as most of us do.  The Classy Wardrobe is a site that is dedicated and caters to business clothing specifically for women running their own businesses or if you're attending an interview/meeting. The Classy Wardrobe have made sure that the options that they have created are for a niche and it also won’t break the bank. Its great to see a whole website dedicated to women's business clothing. You should  invest in separates like a pencil skirt, trousers or a shirt then you can choose to mix and match whist still remaining stylish. What do you think of the A/W12 Collection above?

Personally, I like the colour palette that is available currently on the website. This is full of feminine colours, like plum, purple and maroon. I also like the tailoring of the clothes which is kept simplistic and clean yet the garment is stylish. Before you place an order you can check the size guide to make sure that it that the garment you have ordered is the right size for you. For the size guide, click here.

So if you’re looking for a nice blouse, a stylish blazer or a sophisticated dress then visit: www.theclassywardrobe.com for your perfect outfit. Look your best......whilst at work!

Do you have a Favourite David Yurman Ring?

These are some of the beautiful rings that are available from the David Yurman Collection. As you can see a lot of thought and detail has gone into each individual piece to make the rings intricate and unique. All pieces are made out of Sterling Silver and Yellow Gold with colourful Diamonds and Gems. Do you have a favourite ring?

H&M Autumn/Winter Look-Book 2012

Here’s a look at the new H&M Look-Book for Autumn/Winter.  H&M customers will definitely see some of their favourite trends from the runway. This includes Shimmery Skirts, Oversize Coats and Cardigans, Metallic Separates, Colourful Bags, Prints and some perfect chunky Accessories. I like the chosen colour palette including Black, Navy, Greys, Burgundy and Shimmery Metallics with simple minimal styling. Overall, I think it's a well put together collection and would leave fans satisfied. What do you think of the collection?

 

  

Alexander McQueen AW12 Campaign Video

Topshop's Little Treasures

Topshop would have to be one of my favourite retailers on the High Street. One of the main reasons is that they sell a large amount of jewellery pieces. The designers are creative enough to design pieces that you would want to wear and which will complement the clothing collections they sell in-store. Topshop also carries jewellery from other labels like Freedom who also offer unique pieces. Overall, Topshop is always on the point every season and some beautiful jewellery pieces for us to enjoy. Whether you're interested in spikes, skulls, metallic or chunky pieces you can visit in-store or order on-line here.

Coco Chanel Quotes

This a famous quote by Coco Chanel which is still so important today. Fashion is fleeting and tends to change season by season . Trends that are important or fashionable now will be constantly changing and evolving. As trends come and go.Fashion eventually does fade away while style is something that is with you forever. Style is something that represents who you are and what you believe in and how you project yourself to others. Style tends to stay with you until you age and is an expression of who you are. It helps to make you different and unique and distinguishes you from others. So this quote still remains relevant in fashion today and is what some designers live by, for example Karl Lagerfeld. Who dresses in the way that really represents his style and its easily identifiable. So always remember...