Men Of Substance – Being A Stylist
Hi fam and welcome back to another blog from my Men Of Substance blog series! This week I bring you “Being A Stylist” chatting to some of Australians top male stylists in the industry today.
My first ever taste of being in the industry I work in today was from starting as a Stylist! My first every intern/job was styling Tom Derickx from Sydney Swans AFL for LAB A4 which was an online men’s fashion publication. It was a short lived path for me which didn’t last long as it wasn’t meant for me, but gave me the insight I needed to get my connections and place myself in the position which I am in today working in social media/blogging.
In this series of Being A Stylist I ask the guys a series of questions talking about everything from how they got in to the career of being a stylish and the highs the lows to get a glimpse of the industry from the stylists themselves, thanks for tuning in and let me introduce the guys below.
Jeff Lack
Intro – I was raised on the far north coast in and around Byron Bay. I have a brother 3 years older and until I was bigger than him, I had his ‘hand me downs’. I had always had a keen interest in fashion from the very first Nike Air Jordans to 60’s – 70’s vintage. I am tactile by nature, so fabric and fabrication have been a driver in my personal style decisions and selection for others. Unemployment was very high at the time and I didn’t love school. After doing all kinds of odd labouring jobs my first role in fashion was in October 1989, at a menswear store in Port Macquarie.
What inspired you to get into the styling industry & who are your style icons.
I liked how my dad looked in a suit, particularity the polarity between his farm work gear and suiting for church. Style Icons are usually celebrities that have had stylists create their looks, so not really. . .I love a mix of fabrics and cuts from the 60- 70s.
I moved across to freelance styling with my first client in 2005 (it took 2 years to take it from conceptual to start up) when I designed a job that best suited my abilities. I found it difficult working for others that didn’t get the best out of me. I love that everything you put into your work is yours, you’re responsible, accountable and can bask in your own success.
What are your go to things to have on you being a stylist? Necessities?
My kit has a lint roller, pins, bulldog clips, double sided tape, shoe tape, stapler, shoe horn and wet wipes.
Being a stylist do you feel under pressure with your own fashion? How do you style a person? What goes into styling a client.
Your personal brand is always on display. Don’t get me wrong, I love trackies and uggs as much as the next person, I just don’t leave the house wearing them. I always consider the weather, my mood and who I’m seeing that day when choosing what to wear. You never know who you may meet or where your next client will come from.
With regards to styling clients, it varies greatly between event styling for celebrities and editorial styling. With my private clients I devised a system called FIT, COLOUR, STYLE which focuses on the individuals personality. With editorial and content creation, I consider the audience and look to appeal to their senses, its more emotionally and artistically driven.
Through your career what is one of your pinch me moments/highlights over the years.
The greatest highlight to date would be having my book IndulGENT published, that was an incredible achievement. Working with Jamie Oliver whom I’d admired for many years was a real treat.
What would you say to anyone wanting to get into the styling industry? Did you study any, how did you get to where you are now?
I personally didn’t study however, I would recommend psychology as its the most important element outside of your natural ability to see colour and shape. Business would be next, as most stylists are freelance and its way harder than you foresee.
Any last minute things you would like to add that we might not of covered with the intro and questions.
Thanks for having me. Check out my work at jefflack.com, the style pages at Mens Health magazine or @jefflackstylist.
Peace, JL.
Denis Todorovic
Intro – With just over 10 years experience in the Fashion Industry, Denis (Deni to his friends) has worked across Fashion Buying, Trend Forecasting, Product Development, Marketing, PR, Editorial, Celebrity & Campaign Styling. After completing his fashion studies at the Paris Fashion Institute, Deni moved to London and worked with titles like InStyle, Cosmo UK and British Vogue, in house with Burberry and as a Celebrity Stylist to ITV presenter Laura Whitmore. Upon returning back to Australia he started a blog in his Geelong-raised bedroom called ‘Style By Deni’, curating video and editorial content collaborating with designers like Kym Ellery, Toni Maticevski and Martin Grant. Covering Paris and New York Fashion Week and interviewing fashion icons like Miroslava Duma and Giovanna Battaglia along the way. Editorial styling was where his heart belonged and a year later he landed at Cosmopolitan Australia, the highest selling magazine brand in the world and 3 years later now holds the title of Fashion Editor. With an in depth knowledge of fashion and pop culture, Deni’s aesthetic is to inform and inspire. Whether it’s a fashion editorial, styling a celebrity for the Red Carpet or a still life product – the aim is to inform the audience of a moment in style, whilst inspiring them to aspire for greatness. Combining the urban with the glamorous is the sweet spot! He offers brands a 360 service ranging from styling to brand consulting and can sit easily between being both behind the scenes or in front of the camera as it were, in the role of a fashion expert and brand ambassador.
What inspired you to get into the styling industry & who are your style icons.
Styling kind of happened by accident to be honest. When I used to design clothes I always designed outfits as a whole. I’ve always thought about the bigger picture, how is the girl wearing her skirt, what shoes is she wearing, what bag is she carrying what earrings etc… so essentially I’ve always been styling. I’ve also always loved magazines so a combination of those two things found me in editorial styling. My style icons range Tom Ford, Rachel Zoe, Kim Kardashian, Carine Roitfeld and Kanye West.
What are your go to things to have on you being a stylist? Necessities?
Bulldog clips, always. Never enough! Double sided tape, a lint roller and a great steamer!
Being a stylist do you feel under pressure with your own fashion? How do you style a person? What goes into styling a client.
I definitely feel like I should always look good, its kind of that cliché, would you trust me with your style if I rolled out of bed looking like shit? Probably not. In terms of styling people/clients its all about accentuated the things they love most about themselves and concealing the things they like less. Its all about bringing out the best version of you!
Through your career what is one of your pinch me moments/highlights over the years.
Every cover I’ve styled for Cosmo has been a highlight but the first one with Elle Ferguson was easily a pinch me moment!
What would you say to anyone wanting to get into the styling industry? Did you study any, how did you get to where you are now?
I didn’t go to uni but I did a Tafe course during high school in Fashion Design & Clothing production. By biggest advice is keep your eyes open, always. Fill your well with knowledge, that’s what will set you apart. Research research research. I used to sit in the library in my lunch breaks and just read up on every major designer, their history etc… I also suggest to keep an open mind and hone in on what your signature aesthetic is. Once you’ve got that nailed you can learn to adapt from brief to brief whilst always using your own design identity to set your work apart.
Jame Azzopardi
Intro – I started in my career at 16 after watching my family work in different facets of the fashion industry and after trying a range of different careers I always came back to fashion and specifically styling. Since I have styled stars globally for runways, appearances, concerts, television appearances, campaigns, red carpets and a range of magazine shoots and placements as well as running a social empire that includes an Instagram page that thrives and a blog that reports on all facets of arts culture. Being a male in a female dominated field was hard but seeing the progression of men in the industry has been great and coming to a point where menswear has become jut as prominent as womenswear is both great and interesting.
What inspired you to get into the styling industry & who are your style icons.
Inspired me to get in the industry/style icons: the allure of fashion and the glitzy world it lives in is the real reason that I decided to work within this field but a range of my icons certainly helped like designer Alexander McQueen who’s work is true art, the street sensibility of Yohji Yamamoto, Model Kate Moss who is a true artist and portrays a visionary experience.
What are your go to things to have on you being a stylist? Necessities?
It sounds cliché but style is something you can’t just buy. It’s a confidence you have and if you believe that your outfit is a 10 then it is! Fashion is a representation of art and art is something that can NEVER be wrong.
Being a stylist do you feel under pressure with your own fashion? How do you style a person? What goes into styling a client?
I always feel pressure with what I wear out but if I’m honest I wear things I want and like to wear and stand by it, good or bad.
How do I style a client: styling a client is a weirdly fun experience. It starts with a consultation and ends with an understanding of who the person is and how they want to portray themselves.
Through your career what is one of your pinch me moments/highlights over the years.
I really am blessed to say that every day is a highlight, I love what I do although it’s hard work and there’s a million people ready to snatch away any number of jobs at any given point I think I have worked myself to a position where I am known for the work I have done and respected for the amount I’ve accomplished. My biggest career highlight was my first big paid job where I Shot campaign and realised this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
What would you say to anyone wanting to get into the styling industry? Did you study any, how did you get to where you are now?
If you want to work in style I say go ahead, there’s always room for more artistic challenge in the world but I would say be prepared to work harder and smarter than your competition. With more and more stylists globally the chances are you’ll hear no more than you hear yes and that’s because people may not see your vision. I’d also say that because our work is art keep to what you know and really explore that realm, don’t be afraid of the unknown or challenging yourself but keep in mind that if you’re doing a job it’s because that person or company sees things the way you do. I did study fashion and fine arts and have a double degree and I think style is evolutionary so the more the merrier.
Nima Syeh
Intro – I started working in the fashion industry when I was 15. Everyone thought I was crazy and weird, but I actually liked that… I already knew what I wanted to do, while my friends were only partying and thinking of the next weekend, while I was deciding what to get for a client.
Growing up in a Persian family and wanting to work in fashion was not an easy road, but I decided that I would do what made me happy and everyone could either deal with it or go away. I was never going to be a lawyer, a dentist or an accountant; it’s just not who I am and I refused to be anything that wasn’t true to me.
My mum, sister and closest friends have always been my biggest champions and they have given me the confidence to go and chase my dreams; I wouldn’t be anywhere without the support of my nearest and dearest.
What inspired you to get into the styling industry & who are your style icons.
Fashion was always a part of my life and one of my Aunts was a major contributing factor in my love for the industry. Aunty Sohila always pushed boundaries and experimented with amazing looks, which inspired me to do the same. I also loved making outfits for my baby sister, playing dress-ups with her and then putting on a show (she hated it) for everyone. The final push for me gutting into the industry was because of a dear friend of mine, Carmen Ianni. Carmen was essentially my mentor and gave me the kick I needed to pursue my dreams. Along with my Aunt Soheila and Carmen, my style icons are Christine Centenera, Olivier Rouesteing and Iris Apfel.
What are your go to things to have on you being a stylist? Necessities?
Being a stylist, I have a few necessities on me at ALL TIMES. I always have a few different pieces of jewellery to alternate between looks, depending on what I need to do that day and where i’m going; Jewellery is a big part of my personal look and I like to play with it according to the situation I am in. I always have at least 3 rings on each hand and a bunch in my bag. A smaller bag or clutch is usually in my main bag in case of a last-minute event or meeting and it also doubles as my jewellery holder. Generally, I also have an oversized black t-shirt in my bag, just incase I need to change my look for anything that pops up last-minute and I don’t have time to go home and change. So yeah, extra jewellery, a clutch and black shirt are my absolute necessities.
Being a stylist do you feel under pressure with your own fashion? How do you style a person? What goes into styling a client?
Being a stylist adds pressure to how I present myself, as opposed to if i worked in any other industry, but I also don’t really pay any attention to it. I’ve always dressed for myself and not paid attention to other people’s opinions or guidelines. I literally shop for groceries in sequins if i want to; I don’t care. Fashion is my way of expressing myself and I refuse to conform to anyone’s ideals of how I should look like, besides my own.
Styling people is very different to how you personally dress and that is a major thing that is part of the misconception which people have with the idea of what a stylist is. If i wear heat-to-toe black, it doesn’t mean that is how I expect my clients to dress and if I wear an outrageous outfit, I don’t expect my clients to do the same. I always dress clients based on what they’re comfortable in and what is required, but I do like to suggest things that may be a little out of their comfort zone or just merely more adventurous than their regular look and 9 times out of 10 they love it; Styling is always about finding the balance between you and the client.
Through your career what is one of your pinch me moments/highlights over the years.
Crazy is one way of describing some of the moments i’ve had in fashion. I’ve met incredible people along the way and done amazing things with them…The best would be flying overseas to multiple destinations with a client to find her the wedding dress of her dreams. We visited the ateliers of some of the most amazing fashion labels in the world and had the time of our lives doing it; The dresses were amazing and we had a blast, she is one of my first major clients and I actually legally can’t say who she is, except that we ended up getting Marchesa and Elie Saab for the big day….if you want to try to figure out who it was, then be my guest *wink*
What would you say to anyone wanting to get into the styling industry? Did you study any, how did you get to where you are now?
If you want to get into the fashion industry and are passionate about it… DO IT! But just remember that it isn’t all fun and games. It looks like parties and Prada mixed with champagne and Chanel, but behind what you see is hours of taping shoes, sourcing clothes from people that you have to convince to give you pieces, long days, rejection letters from magazines/people and general industry bitchiness, but just remember…If you want something, just do it and find your place… or better yet, disrupt the order and make your own place in the industry. It’s up to you and the amazing thing with working in fashion, is that the only boundary is your imagination. The best way to learn and also network, is to intern at a bunch of places; I interned at magazines, labels and PR companies to get experience in all the facets which cover the industry and the connections I made have translated into my work very well.
I’m not going to lie, the industry can be bitchy and sometimes hard to deal with, but the people I have met and work with are amazing. I have made some of my nearest and dearest friends in this industry and I wouldn’t take back a second. I truly enjoy my job and it’s never felt like a chore.
I also don’t believe in being jealous of other people’s success and when a friend gets a job that I would have liked, all I feel is happiness for them; We need to support each other and be happy for everyone’s success.
Ashton Eramya
Intro – Hello, I’m Ashton! My title can be interpreted into many different roles but ultimately, I am a Creative Director. Working professionally in the industry over the course of the last five years both behind and in front of the camera. My life has always revolved around fashion in some aspect, when I was five years old everybody wanted to be a police officer and I wanted to be Alexander McQueen. I like to say my career began at the young age of thirteen when I was documenting my style online with the help of my webcam while suppressing so much of my personal life and going through puberty. Between working as an editorial stylist and running my own platform, I am also the Digital Designer for Australian fashion house, Aje. Being able to express my creativity without any limitations is the most thrilling part of my job. Working alongside Adrian and Edwina has given me the opportunity to explore much more than just visual design but working for a successful retail operated brand that is growing so rapidly. There have been so many sleepless nights where I’ve questioned the road to take all while tackling a few bad seeds along the way but at the end of the day growing is the biggest struggle of all. I can definitely say the person I am professionally today is not the same person I was when beginning years ago. It’s a bumpy road but I’m learning so much along the way.
What inspired you to get into the styling industry & who are your style icons.
Surprisingly I never gave myself the title of being a stylist until recent years. Growing up playing with dolls would have to have been why it felt like a hobby rather than a career. My childhood inspired me the most to take this avenue. Dressing my dolls and then developing into being my friends and family’s very own personal stylist and consultant (this is still very relevant today!). Each and every one of them are my style icons because their personalities are all so unique in contrast with each other. These guys continue to inspire me every day. As well as this, I am constantly kept inspired by individuals like Caroline de Margriet and Mary-Kate Olsen together with drawing creativity from the streets of New York, Paris and Milan.
What are your go to things to have on you being a stylist? Necessities?
My non-existent styling kit that should exist somewhere would be a great start. Staying informed and keeping up to date on the industry is a good beginning however developing a great sense of style and having an eye for detail are the most crucial tools on begin a stylist for me. Understanding when to switch off and when to be present is so important.
Being a stylist do you feel under pressure with your own fashion? How do you style a person? What goes into styling a client.
It’s quite complex being a mix between a commercial and editorial stylist – There really are no restrictions on expressing my creativity through the photographic work I produce. Working as this type of stylist and being selective with the clients I choose has allowed me to create so many beautiful and breathtaking stories with individuals from all around the world.
Through your career what is one of your pinch me moments/highlights over the years.
How do you pick just one! We could be sitting here for days but here are my most memorable moments over the last few years:
· Attending my first NYFW at nineteen years old sitting in the same room as Iris Apfel at a Karen Walker show.
· Shooting a campaign on the streets of West Village in New York for Australian brand PS The Label.
· Being able to travel the world to work on content from so many different doorsteps.
· Landing a job at my favourite Australian label in February this year.
There is one more thing happening later this month that will be added onto this list that I cannot wait to share with the world. Watch this space!
What would you say to anyone wanting to get into the styling industry? Did you study any, how did you get to where you are now?
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and take your time discovering your signature. One thing I realised early into my career was to never compare yourself to others in the industry and don’t be afraid to befriend other stylists in the industry – Surely you have something in common with them? Treat your presence online as your personal brand and remember each feed works as your portfolio. Be grateful for each and every opportunity that comes your way, you will learn the most here early into your career. Be humble but own what you say, the industry worldwide is relatively small and one day, you never know, you can wake up on the other side of the world collaborating with a team who managed to discover you just by finding you on social media. Despite what they tell you, you can’t study this information – It’s all about experience and knowledge.
If you would like to know more or have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out via email on hello@ashtoneramya.com or @ashtoneramya on Instagram.
Zack Allen
Intro – My name is Zakk Allan and I’m a Creative Director and Stylist and I also work in talent management and artist development. I have been involved in the industry for about 10 years, having been fortunate enough to work on many projects here and internationally.
My career started out from my work as a dancer and choreographer where I worked with a number of artists on live shows and music videos, including Cody Simpson, Kelly Rowland, Paula Abdul, Tamara Jaber, and worked on shows such as So You Think Can Dance and Everybody Dance Now.
These opportunities among others, helped take me to the U.S where I lived in NYC and L.A for many years and began to fuse my love of direction and movement with my love of fashion and style. I soon found myself working on various fashion projects as a movement coach, directing fashion videos and evidently as a stylist, creating alongside the people who were behind the early work of Azealia Banks and Lady Gaga, creating concepts and looks for various artists and developing ideas for brands like Hood By Air (HBA), Kill Brand & Rochelle Label.
My work in film and dance has always been about story telling and i think i bring that same narrative aspect to my work as a stylist, whether I’m styling an event, photographic shoot or a video I want it to be somewhat of an immersive experience, I’ve always loved the idea of taking people to an entirely different world of my own creation!
I grew up in a small country town in rural NSW called Nashdale and growing up in a farming community i was often bullied and made to feel ‘different” or “abnormal” in comparison to those around me. But I never questioned who i was as a person and rather than conform or change my character, I channelled my pain and my emotions into my creative activities. I would use these things as an outlet for my thoughts and feelings and as a way to transport myself to a another place, where i was free to be who I was and express myself.
Regardless of what was happening around me or what people would say, when I was being creative i was safe, comfortable and content in my own crazy, beautiful world.
In a way I’m thankful for that experience because it’s not only helped me cope with struggles I encountered later in life, but it also helped me develop this ‘survival tactic’ into a career that I’m passionate about, love immensely and which i hope will one day help others embrace who they are, much like artists did for me growing up.
What inspired you to get into the styling industry & who are your style icons.
It was definitely my background in music videos and live productions that inspired me to move into doing more styling work. Growing up I was obsessed with music videos, I never missed a Saturday morning “Video Hits” episode, and I think the connection between fashion and music was just so apparent, that I instinctively grew a love and appreciation for styling and the over all importance of attention to detail.
With fashion videos or music videos you have a short time frame to set the scene, tell the story and come to a conclusion, and styling choices have the ability to assist in conveying that in a fraction of time!
I grew up watching artists like Madonna, Queen, Elvis, Elton John, Grace Jones, Lady Gaga and the way they used music and fashion as a way to communicate and convey a message in a beautiful and often meaningful way, really resonated with me and has continued to inspire me. Not only to express my thoughts and emotions in creative ways, but to also push boundaries and try new things in order to achieve my often outlandish ideas and concepts.
My love for fashion is equal to my love for music so I was excited when the opportunities to work more in styling presented themselves. The idea of creating stories and ideas around the fashion, opposed to the music artists, was an exciting and fresh concept for me and my career, so i jumped on the chance to take on something a bit different!
What are your go to things to have on you being a stylist? Necessities?
Hairspray, a versatile pair of shoes, staple nude and black clothing and a diverse range of accessories.
Hairspray is such a great tool, not only for hair but to flatten loose threads, prevent holes in stockings or even to just give some extra shine to body or fabric! It’s the best!
Having black and nude ‘basics’ are a must! Whether it’s a fitted top or singlet, black jeans or nude shorts, you’ll never be sorry you have them and you’ll use them more than anything else in your wardrobe!
Accessories are my personal favourite, they are like the icing on the cake and they can transform any look in a second. Belts can assist in changing the shape of a look, while hats, glasses and jewellery have the ability to dress up or down any look, from glamorous to grunge or from street to sheike!
Being a stylist do you feel under pressure with your own fashion? How do you style a person? What goes into styling a client.
I feel some pressure in my personal style choices, but it’s more about my own personality rather than my career. I’ve always put effort into my appearance and feel strongly that presentation (no matter what your profession) is of vital importance. It’s also a slight comfort to me that no matter how bad other areas of my life may seem at the time, at least I look damn good and I’m well put together haha
There are a lot of different aspects I take into consideration when styling a client from individual complexions and hair colour, what platform or event the client will be showcasing a look at and even their personality plays a huge part.
The two main questions I commonly find myself asking when styling a client are, “What are we trying to say with this outfit or event, what’s the message or theme” and “Is this a look the client can pull off and feel confident in, are the clothes complimenting their other attributes both physicality and personality.”
I honestly believe that no matter what you wear, if you present yourself with confidence and you feel like a million bucks, people wont question you or your style (within reason)
Through your career what is one of your pinch me moments/highlights over the years.
Some of my career highlights would have to be choreographing on So You Think You Can Dance and writing and directing my own short film, which was funded and produced and will be released early next year.
To be honest I’ve always dreamed big and kind of set the bar rather high for myself from a young age, so I don’t know if I’ve had any “pinch me” moments in the traditional sense of the term.
But I’m definitely grateful everyday to be working in an industry that I love and constantly meeting and working with new and talented people all the time.
There is no better feeling than working with a passionate and talented team and together turning an idea into a physical reality!
It’s very humbling and gratifying to be working toward the same goals and dreams I’ve always had and i’m excited to keep moving forward and seeing where it all takes me next.
What would you say to anyone wanting to get into the styling industry? Did you study any info to how you, got to where you are now.
To anyone wanting to get more involved in the styling industry I’d say go out of your way to surround yourself with others involved in the industry, take the time to create projects off your own back and choose life experience over stability.
I’ve met some of the most incredible people and had some of my biggest learning and inspiring moments because I took a chance on adventure. I left home at 14 yrs old in pursuit of my passion and by 20 I was living in NYC where I met people like Jesus Villa (Half Animal), Amanda Lepore, David La Chapelle, Lady Gaga and so many others, that not only have assisted me in my career goals but have helped to inspire me and my vision.
Since then I have gone back and studied to perfect my craft from a technical aspect, but technique is nothing without a greater vision to put that technique into practice. It’s not always been easy and there’s definitely been times where I’ve struggled and questioned my choices, but I wouldn’t change it for anything simply for the life changing experiences I’ve had along the way.
You never know where your adventure will take you, but that’s the exciting part and even if you don’t end up where you thought you’d be, you may just find a whole different path to travel that’s just as, if not more, fulfilling than anything you ever imagined.
You can’t let other people’s idea of what life and success is get in the way of what you need, to do what it is you want with your life.
As a creative, inspiration is everything and when inspiration doesn’t come, you have to go out and find it for yourself, you won’t ever be disappointed that you did.
Outro – For me my work is about creating a story through visual aesthetic, its more about transporting an audience to completely different world.
The fashion and material items are secondary to the overall narrative, but it’s the attention to detail that ultimately draws people in and styling is a one of many details that assist me in doing that on any project I work on.
1 Comment
Fashion Accessories That All Men Should Have – Nathan Tito
September 11, 2020 at 11:19 pm[…] accessories tend to be something that females gravitate towards. However, as any male stylist should know, men can also adorn themselves with jewellery to create a unique look. Every man should […]