About
Too much is just enough!
With my friend's daughter Edana at mine (the pink tower): channelling a shoot for Hello!, while she is watching Postman Pat and I wear vintage...
I work as a contributing Fashion Editor for a number of leading international publications, including Muse magazine, whom I am currently working very closely with. After graduating from UCL with a BA Honours degree in English Literature, I assisted the leading fashion editors of that time: Debbi Mason, Anna Cockburn, Venetia Scott, Cathy Casterine, Monica Dolfini, David Bradshaw and Marcus Von Ackermann. It was the height of what was to be termed the ‘grunge’ era: an incredibly exciting, innovative and fun time and i was lucky (or hard working!) enough to assist the best stylists who challenged our ideas of taste, style and fashion.
I like to play with ideas about aesthetic: mixing the unusual with the everyday to create what I describe as ‘mundane magic’, meaning the visual opportunity to believe that this world of make believe hints at a magical reality we can see in our own - if we look hard enough and take the plunge (like Alice) - with our imagination.
I work with a client, or publication from the initial concept, to creatively guide and brief each area, expanding my ideas to realise aims and goals for the job: be it a commercial or creative exercise, so that everyone is aware, involved and pleased with the process and result. My work is all about the collaborative process: from creating visuals which define stories, to working with an artist developing looks and an image, which define their identity with the maximum of style.
From mood boards and references, at each stage of the production: from PPM through to post, each job is unique, but always they are clearly and creatively formatted and executed.
As a stylist, organisation is key: be that editorial fashion shoots, celebrity styling, shows or events. Keeping to the brief while being open to ad hoc situations on set, client liaison, time efficiency, besides the more obvious aesthetic skills!
I have worked as a consultant for the brands I have styled shows for. This means developing silhouettes and shapes for the catwalk collection with the designer and tailoring team. From Christian Lacroix, to Topshop; from couture and high-end catwalk to high street, this has meant working at all levels of the market, consulting and creating designs which best suit their markets. Year on year, clients who have worked with me have seen improved sales. This season I styled three shows for London Fashion Week.
I also keep an allotment and write about this for the Guardian Online!