Fashion Entrepreneur Report – Delivering the business of fashion from Nolcha: Fashion Busi: fashion stylist

Showing posts with label fashion stylist. Show all posts

Interview | So You Can Think You Can Dance's Soyon An

Posted by fashionentrepreneurreport On Monday, August 17, 2009 0 comments

Currently a notable costume designer for Fox’s hit TV shows AMERICAN IDOL and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, Soyon An has been adding a fashionable edge to the stage week in and week out.

Be it in music, TV and film, from past experience with names like Kate Bosworth, Mariah Carey, Avril Lavigne andPink, Soyon has paved the way for great success.

Since beginning her work with 19 Entertainment, Soyon has assisted for season two and designed for season four of “So You Think You Can Dance,” designed season one of “Superstars of Dance,” designed for a feature film called “Shoot the Hero,” and was recently a head costume designer on “American Idol’s” past season eight. She’s also designed three tours (seasons 2,3, 4 with 5 to come) for “So You Think You Can Dance” including a tour in Canada and the tour for season six of American Idol with Jordin Sparks.

She is currently designing for “So You Think You Can Dance” season five this summer while supporting the current American Idol tour (season eight with Kris Allen and Adam Lambert). Nolcha's
Creative Director Lynn Furge caught up with Soyon to find out what it really takes deal with not only creative design, but movement and a hectic television season.

Lynn Furge: You deal with athletes in a sense... How do you allow for movement?

Soyon An: The last thing I want is their movement to be restricted and for there to be any tears. So, the fabrics I use all have to be stretchy and strong. Especially if they are bottoms. If they the look requires a material that isn't dance-friendly, I'll customize it to make it work for the movement.

LF: When the dancers do their solo dance they seem to have a much more casual broken down work out type of attire... Do you design those costumes as well and if so what is the thought behind them?

SA: I don't design the costumes for their solo dances. I allow the dancers to choose what they want to wear so that America can vote for who they are as an individual. I do help them style their look though. Every week, they have to get their solo outfits approved by me.

LF: You have so many different genres to cover. Hip-hop, Ballet, Broadway. How do you prepare and research each style? Which is your favorite?

SA: I prep and research via internet, fashion books, and all sorts of magazines. I also have creative meetings with the choreographers. I don't have a favorite style, but I think my favorite situation is when the choreographer and I have to conceptualize a lot and my creative wheel gets to spin full speed.

LF: How many people are on your design team and how long do you have to create the costumes?

SA: I have 2 seamstresses and 2 Costumers. So we are a total of 5. We have 3 days to come up with and make the couple's outfits and 24 hours to come up with and make the group routine outfits. We use every second that we have so on some show days we are still sewing the dancers into their wardrobe.

LF: You really need to allow the dancers to embody a character because they cannot speak so the audience needs to understand both the movement and the visual costume. Please explain how you you prepare for all of that?

SA: It all ties in together through the choreographer. The choreographer knows the story/concept that they are trying to create. They speak with me about the story/concept and the music. Together we come up with wardrobe ideas and colors. I draw them a sketch and show some fabric samples. Since we are so short on time, there can't be any second guesses. I love the movement of fabric and how, visually, we can communicate a feeling so it is very important for me to have these meetings with the choreographers so that we are all on the same page. From there we create each piece.

LF: How did you begin as a costume designer? Where did you start? Give me a career timeline...

SA: I first started off as a fashion designer. I designed for a couple of men's lines and at Forever 21. I also assisted stylists and other costume designers and ended up designing the So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol's tours. Now I do their shows as well side projects such as consulting for clothing lines, photo shoots, look books, and award shows.

LF: What do you think people who want to get into the fashion industry but more in terms of costume design should know?

SA: People who are working their way into becoming a costume designer aren't necessarily required to sew or know patterns, but I recommend the individual to be knowledgeable of all aspects of design and production fundamentals so you can go beyond basics. Fashion is moving art! It helps to know functional wear, especially for dancers.

LF: Kayla had one of my favorite costumes with the vampire type dance she did in the tutu. How did you channel Goth Vampire without being too "Twilight" or "True Blood?"

SA: I wanted Kayla to wear something pretty, designer, and trendsetting. We all know what the stereotype of Goth Vampire is... I used that idea as the basis for the costume but then I put my own flair into it by adding many details and an element of dance into her outfit.

LF: The men's costumes are always simple and pretty much close to menswear but need to take the movement into consideration as well. Can you tell me about some of the fabrics you use?

SA: I make sure the fabric content has some spandex. You can pick pretty fabrics with sheen and lycra... also cutting on the bias helps a lot. Stretchy, stretchy, stretchy is key!

LF: Do you ever design anything on your own or that can be purchased in stores for either dancers or just regular consumers?

SA: That is under construction at the moment. But I have received a few messages on Facebook asking for some custom pieces.

fashion stylist, interview | |

Style Gets Personal: The Shoe Ban

Posted by fashionentrepreneurreport On Sunday, August 02, 2009 0 comments

For years I used to go shopping in Paris and Milan and buy clothes and shoes for myself.

My friends would give me money to buy for them, a suitcase for me and one for them, thus a career Personal Stylist/Shopper beckoned and I duly succumbed and trained.

Staying opposite Roger Vivier shop I found a small dusty shoe shop -Christian Louboutin. A love affair began, long long before he came to the UK. I am almost ashamed to tell you how many pairs I have.

My shoe affair is my own business. “Comfort or Style”? I ask my clients. Comfort c. 80% reply. “What about shoes”? “Oh Style EVERYTIME, I don’t care about comfort” is the most common response.

We have a recession, many people face a loss of jobs, income and businesses face melt down. The huge working class union the TUC scratch their collective bald patch and ruminate the answer is women must stop wearing heels over 1”.

The motion to the 2009 TUC congress asks employers to work in partnership with trade unions, staff, and local Health and Safety reps to ensure that proper risk assessments are carried out, and where high heels are deemed a health risk should be replaced with comfortable shoes.

http://www.feetforlife.org/cgi-bin/item.cgi?ap=1&id=2350&d=pnd&dateformat=%25o-%25B

What happened to our happiness and state of mind, and the feeling of beautiful sexuality to boost one’s mood in a bad economy?

PURLEEESE. Men we love you, we love your intellect, innate sexiness, muscular superiority, fun, wit and charm. Leave our shoes alone!!!!!

Gabrielle Teare is a London based Fashion Stylist for more pics and more fashion trends visit http://www.gabrielleteare.com. Featured in Marie Claire, Elle, Esquire and providing style/editorial for Disney.

fashion season, fashion stylist, fashion trends | |

Style Gets Personal: The London Jewelry Shows Top Finds

Posted by fashionentrepreneurreport On Monday, June 29, 2009 0 comments

I met Nina Koutibashvili at Coutts Jewellery Fashion Week. She won Design Innovation Platinum Award, Coutts New Jeweller Award and was voted Designer of the Week. Wow.

Rightly so. This is WOW jewellery! Nina says “I am passionate about my collections which are deliberately fashion-conscious. For a special occasion when you want to make a fashion statement this jewellery allows you to express yourself.”

This is my beautiful friend Maria De Heaver wearing Pucci and an earring from Koutibashvili's collection who was also named Jewellery Designer of the Year http://www.ninakoutibashvili.com. These are stupendous we both wanted these!

Nina has achieved all this in under 4 years we are impressed. Massively impressed.

I went on to meet Amanda Brighton wearing some superb jewellery. She combines Eastern and Western influences to great effect. Amanda has an International Private Client base and can be reached at http://www.amandabrighton.com

This is a necklace to die for award winning Ring Leader showcased at TREASURE as part of Coutts London Jewellery Week. Designer Katie Rowland shows here how to look exquisite. From the St Tropez collection of dynamic show stopping gems. At http://www.ring-leader.com

There was award winning Tania Clark Hall who designs innovative bold and creative jewellery in leather. http:www.taniaclarkhall.com

In this fantastic dress is Clare Schooling of http:www.cjsinspireddesign.com this is fun, funky designing at its best.

These are bold intricate and quite beautiful designs. Would you expect less from someone wearing that dress?

Needless to say women will have something to save up for this fall, but they are treasures that will only enhance your wardrobe.

-Gabrielle Teare is Alexa ranked No 1 Globally for Personal Stylist. Gabrielle is recently featured in 09 Marie Claire, Esquire, Elle and is currently providing Styling Consultancy for Disney on 2 films Confessions of a Shopaholic and Tinkerbell.

fashion season, fashion stylist, fashion trends, london fashion | |

Style Gets Personal: Fashion in Film

Posted by fashionentrepreneurreport On Saturday, June 13, 2009 0 comments

Film has always had an enormous impact on fashion. Hubert Givenchy in creating a wardrobe for Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s created some of the most iconic and enduringly fashion images ever.

Audrey is always top of any list of the most elegant women.

Marilyn Monroe in the most famous dress ever by William Travilla and Ferragamo stilettos appeared in the 7 Year Itch in 1955. Everlastingly imprinted on the brain is the image of the white halterneck dress above the street grating and Marilyn fighting to control the swirling skirt. In How To Marry A Millionaire who could forget that wonderful fuschia pink strapless dress as men fight to carry her off.

Heartbreakingly beautiful, broodingly sexy, bad boy Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront and a Streetcar Named Desire. He made the T shirt, leather jacket and jeans a male fashion staple as relevant today as in the 50’s.

Yves St Laurent dressed Catherine Deneuve in Belle de Jour and she remained his muse for years. This dress for example is as stylish today as in 1967. Prim proper elegant of course, the ideal attire for misspent afternoons. Who would have guessed?

In the early 70’s Ralph Lauren was relatively unknown until Robert Redford and Mia Farrow appeared in the Great Gatsby dressed by him. Ralph Lauren again in Annie Hall saw Diane Keaton dressed in manly clothes still looking strikingly elegant in 1974. This set off a fashion for women to wear the boyfriend jacket and waistcoats the first time round. SS09 sees this repeated.

Bonnie and Clyde with Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty set off a trend for 1930’s fashion. Theodore Van Runkles’ costumes and Faye’s wonderful hair made this film fantastically watchable.

Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan wears a highly visible bra and suddenly underwear as outerwear is everywhere in 1984 and still is worn today. Dolce and Gabbana, Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood still produce corsetry in clothing.

Michael Douglass in Wall Street symbolises the “greed is good” 80’s. In red braces and huge stripes the Yuppie was born and also our love of excess that continued unabashed until recently.

In recent years the massive success of blockbuster Sex in the City 2008 saw women everywhere striving to look like Carrie Bradshaw. Whilst appearing to barely work, Carrie accumulated effortlessly an enormous shoe and designer wardrobe collection. What was her secret? Can we have it please!

Johnnie Depp, who is himself a living fashion icon, starring in Pirates of the Caribbean, initiated another round of Pirate fashion. Not since the 1980’s with Adam Ant, has swashbuckling style been so in fashion!

The Devil Wears Prada saw Meryl Streep 2006 with stunning grey hair in severely chic and elegant clothes whilst her younger underlings struggled to keep up. This was a serious fashion lady, helped by free clothes and a seemingly endless budget she looked just tremendous.
In Confessions of a Shopaholic we have Rebecca working hard, earning very little, but still determined to keep up to the minute. As an often inspired shopaholic a series of ecletic, whimsical, and original outfits ensue.

Bold contrasting colours, leopardskin, tartans, plaids, and chic monochrome outfits abound. Brilliant accessories colour matched such as flowers, gold metal belts, fur boots in pink, show Rebecca is a girl who stands out, is adventurous but at the same time wears high fashion. The sheer exhilarating fun of so much of the fashion makes her memorable and copied. Becky even has a facebook app http://%20http//apps.facebook.com/shopaholicmagazine/ so that you can send favourite items to friends.

In Coco Avant Chanel, a new film about the supremely elegant, achingly chic Coco Chanel is an inspiration to women everywhere.

Coco Chanel is credited with inventing the little black dress, the sun tan for upper class women, multiple strings of pearls, the eternal Chanel No 5 still one of the world’s top perfumes.

The invention of the boxy short classic jacket, tailored dresses and trousers meant women could for the first time take men’s tailoring skills and make them their own. This film no doubt will stoke Chanel fever all over again.

-Gabrielle Teare is Alexa ranked No 1 Globally for Personal Stylist. Gabrielle is recently featured in 09 Marie Claire, Esquire, Elle and is currently providing Styling Consultancy for Disney on 3 films CocoAvantChanel, Confessions of a Shopaholic and Tinkerbell.

fashion season, fashion stylist, fashion trends | |

Style Gets Personal: The Media Tour

Posted by fashionentrepreneurreport On Saturday, June 06, 2009 0 comments

I spend my life getting celebrities and successful business people ready for their media tours and deal closing meetings. As apersonal stylist this week as the saying goes... "the shoe was on the other foot."

This week saw me interviewed by many print and online magazines worldwide to coincide with the forthcoming launch of Confessions Of A Shopaholic DVD. As a Personal Stylist I was asked to comment and review on the Spring Summer Collections and also what we as fashion insiders can predict to be the trends for Fall/Winter 2009.

Elle France wanted to know what women should buy on a budget and what was my top choice for SS09 (I always say classics, read some of my previous columns or hang on tight for Elle and you will see the exact details). It was intellectually challenging to switch from a magazine catering for teenagers in Brazil to an uber chic Vogue in Europe! Marie Claire Spain asked at length about Spanish Celebrities so I talked about Penelope Cruz also Princess Letitzia beating Carla Bruni in the Style wars.

All the magazines wanted to know about celebrity style and in particular who I have styled? What celebrities are stylish, who looked good at Cannes etc.

What does a Personal Stylist do? What was the last thing I bought? Who are my clients? The media wants to know information from people who are in the know so they can get it out to the public before anyone else. I get the sneak peak of every fashion do because it is I who dresses them.

All of the interviews will be made available to Nolcha once the embargo is lifted.

Gabrielle Teare is the Leading London Personal Stylist. Currently Alexa ranked No 1 Globally. Gabrielle has 3 articles in the press in Feb 09 Tiscali, MSN and Esquire on personal styling. Gabrielle styled a rock band at London Fashion week as part of the Dress the band Competition for Fashion TV and Nolcha.Com. Previously another rock band was featured on Channel 4.

Gabrielle will also be writing for WAR magazine which is a uber chic fashion magazine to be launched next month. May 09 sees Gabrielle featured in Elle France, Vogue Italy, Marie Claire Spain. Gabrielle is providing Styling advice and PR for 3 Disney films currently. http://www.gabrielleteare.com

fashion season, fashion stylist, fashion trends | |

Style Gets Personal: The Gents Guide to Keep Cool

Posted by fashionentrepreneurreport On Thursday, June 04, 2009 0 comments

What to wear this summer? When styling men white always looks great with a tan as this Nikki Beach White Party shows.

White shorts tight black T shirt, coloured linen shirt for an easy, cool look. But this is better in warmer locations the edge the water.

Colors? Choose black, pale blue, turquoise or dark red. Linen shirts can be found everywhere. Keep it simple for instant sex appeal.

Add a panama hat to impress. Markets all over France, Italy have these for good reason, as do little sidewalk shops in most major international cities or you can go to Nolcha Retail and investigate the charming hats of Ms. Bodangles.

Choose Aviator shades, add espadrilles in black for a European look, to take you from beach to bar.

Swimming trunks choose one color, Olebar Brown make great ones. The flowery look is now overcooked. I feel the same way about these as I feel about boxers with little devils. Fun? Yes, Sexy? No. Replace baggy shapeless trunks with tailored ones effortless style.

For evening swap the shorts for jeans in black or white, add another linen shirt. T shirts choose black, white or blue on top. If you are heavy add a one button linen jacket in white to hide a tummy.

Where to stay? Bastide de Salins, Pans de Palais, Byblos in St Tropez or visit Grimaud. Enjoy some Rose` on me!

- Gabrielle Teare is the Alexa ranked No 1 Globally for Personal Stylist. Gabrielle is recently featured in 09 Elle, Marie Claire, Vogue and is currently retained by Disney for work on the new Tinkerbell project.

fashion season, fashion stylist, fashion trends | |

Running in Converse: Inspiration

Posted by fashionentrepreneurreport On Saturday, May 23, 2009 0 comments

“What inspires you?” is a question that is asked to countless designers ad nausea. It is as prevalent as hearing “ Who are you wearing?” at the Oscars, yet the aforementioned question does more than skim the surface.

Asking someone what their inspiration was for a certain collection is like going back in time to figure out a specific and personal moment of their lives. One gets a glimpse into what makes them tick, what they imagine, the direction they are going and where they have come from out of only three little words.

Inspiration can come from very personal experiences. From the more trying events in our lives, the most beautiful ideas are be born. It is when we are pressed to our limits that we evolve. So much beauty comes out of the struggle. One may not recognize it in the moment, but only after the fact, yet it is there. Nothing fabulous comes out of the status quo. From the onset of the recession, I have been telling people that creativity will be derived… mark my words. Precedents will be set, alterations will be made, and something amazing will be born. I have already caught a glimpse and I promise you it will not disappoint. There is an awakening going on all around us. Get excited!

Inspiration can also be as impersonal as seeing a fabulous brand-less scarf in a vintage store, and by the way the colors are composed ignites something in you that you cannot yet put your finger on but you know from it, some idea will be produced. Or it could come from waiting for the subway and seeing the wording and pictures from an ad that was vandalized. Ideas are always waiting to be hatched.

What inspires me? All the people in my life play an important role. Present or past, there has been something from everyone who has aided in my creative growth. Built me up or tried to break me down, each individual has had his or her place in my life. The random events also seem to spark something in me as well. Getting off the wrong subway stop and ending up at the Marcy Projects because I was deeply engaged in my iPhone or sneaking into a hostel in Bushwick has opened up new outlets into the world for me to explore. The are countless acts of beauty and despair all around us, and depending on my outlook at the time, that is what will dictate what I will see and will help inspire my next work of art no matter what medium I am working in.

Relax, go out and try something new, for you never know what is waiting around the corner to inspire you. I am even finding myself inspired as I type this column. The ice cream truck is coming around for the billionth time and the song propelled out of his truck is inspiring me to buy a shotgun.

-Oriana DiNella

fashion season, fashion stylist, fashion trends | |

Style Gets Personal: Buying Style vs. Trend

Posted by fashionentrepreneurreport On Saturday, May 23, 2009 0 comments

As a London Personal Stylist I spend many hours reviewing wardrobes. Given the fact that we only wear a shocking 20% of what we buy, frankly most of my clients waste money.

I always ask my clients what would you like to look like “more stylish” is the most common response.

If you continually buy fashion only the buzz of buying translates into the unworn, there is nothing remotely glamorous about this. Learn the difference between style and fashion and wear most of your wardrobe until it wears out.
“Fashion” is next season’s shoulder pads jacket. The “boyfriend” jacket now on trend will suit you if you are 5’8” or more, if you are under 5’4” and petite, it will swamp you. So don’t buy it! “Fashion” is also the here today, gone tomorrow looks that reinvigorate your wardrobe. Shoes are a fantastic “fashion” statement and so are bags.

Fashion should be fun!

We all need regular “fashion” hits but we should not pay too much for them. Remember the 80:20 rule, and do not pay over the odds for something you will wear only for a season or not at all. Buy the diffusion ranges or the better high street brands and look to wear for 2 seasons only.

Sometimes we are all hit with a “I will die if I don’t have that” and these instincts should be followed for sheer fun occasionally, but if you let them dominate your wardrobe you will have nothing to wear.
Style is what you actually wear 90% of the time so spend money here, buy the best you can afford and look to keep the clothes. A great beautiful coat in your style and colors will last 10 years so simply buy a more expensive one. The “fashionable” coat will last 4 months so don’t pay too much, have fun with it buy a great color, and look to replace it.

Find your signature style. Last summer when smocks were in most of my clients bought them. These are now part of the vast unworn in your wardrobe, along with the sleeveless jacket etc. Style should be items that you love deeply that you will wear forever. Jackets, jewelry, coats, cashmere should not be dull but beautiful in rich colors. Fit is everything, buy for how you are now, not for when you lose weight, for example, as this does not work. Buy beautifully cut garments that flatter whatever shape or size you are now.

If orange is in, and it does not suit you, then don’t buy it. In short, learn what suits your body, learn what style you are and buy clothes that fit you. Baggy clothes generally don’t flatter and make you look fatter than you are. Go spend your money on fantastic must-have shoes instead or a great piece of jewelry. Then when things are in the shops that you love, that make your heart sing, that really really suit you, buy them. These will form a great wardrobe for many seasons to come. Aim to be beautiful and fabulous and you will be!

Gabrielle Teare is the Leading London Personal Stylist and International Fashion Writer, writing in London, NYC, Malaysia, California. Gabrielle is currently ranked by Alexa as No1 Globally for Personal Stylist. http://www.gabrielleteare.com. In Feb 09 Gabrielle was featured on MSN.Com,Tiscali.Co.Uk, Match.Com, Esquire Magazine. Gabrielle also styled the rock band Southern Attic at London Fashion Week for Fashion TV Dress the Band Competiton. In May 09 Gabrielle is working on 3 films for Disney and will be featured in Vogue, the European, Australian and American press and News Programmes worldwide.

fashion season, fashion stylist, fashion trends | |

Style gets Personal: Shop Smart On-line

Posted by fashionentrepreneurreport On Thursday, May 21, 2009 0 comments

The internet is massive now. it is so easy to get carried away, just remember we wear 20% of what we buy. This is a classic example of fantastic fashion that is hard to find in the shops. Vivien Westwood is a Uk icon with beautiful well cut flattering clothes at net-a-porter. What is sometimes sold out not picked up by buyers might be easier to find via the web.

1. Only buy things you love.

2. Check out different sites often so that you don’t miss sale items when they come up. Very popular sites such as Cocosa.com sell out quickly make it a favorite and you won’t miss out. Enter gabrielle for an invite.

3. Buy quality rather than "fashion" if you are on a budget clothes will last you longer and you will get more wear out of the

4. Buy things that fit you. Seriously, about 40% of my clients wear clothes too big for them

5. Buy colors that suit your skin rather than what is in fashion. Orange is in right now but only 3% of population can wear it so tread carefully.

6. Spend money on items that are staples i.e. jackets, bags, coats, dresses and buy cheaper fashion items so you are on trend but über stylish.

7. Fastest way to update your look is a new pair of shoes. Equally wearing shoes that are last years “news” when the fashion has changed will date your entire outfit.

8. Use block colors to add drama i.e. black and white, black and red, brown and raspberry, yellow gold jackets.

9. If you are classic style keep colors to bags and shoes to stop your outfit looking boring: lime green bags, red shoes etc. This is an easy way to make things fun and stylish.

10. Accessorize. The right necklace is literally worth its weight in gold don’t buy too cheaply aim to keep key pieces.

-Gabrielle Teare is a Fashion Ranked Number 1 Stylist

fashion season, fashion stylist, fashion trends | |

Interview | Gabrielle Teare

Posted by fashionentrepreneurreport On Thursday, May 21, 2009 0 comments

International stylist Gabrielle Teare has gone from being on the speed-dial of the affluent in London to styling for the press tour of Confessions of a Shopaholic, the new yet to be named Emily Blunt movie and yes, we said it… Tinkerbell for Disney’s new fashion initiative.

Nolcha's Lynn Furge sat down with her loyal columnist to discuss her rise to fame on a media level.

Lynn Furge: So you have taken on styling for Disney and specifically the Confessions of a Shopaholic tour how do plan to make the transition from dressing specific clients in a one on one setting to dressing a whole group of women that just want style advice?

Gabrielle Teare: I already provide style advice for many PR companies, websites and magazines on specific projects such as "What to wear for work"/ "Valentine's, First Date”. I have an agony aunt service on Definitive Diva.Com and I write for many online social network sites providing style advice so I am used to providing advice for women on a whole and actually helpful shopping rules can apply for anyone.

LF: Isla Fisher was dressed by the great Pat Field with a huge styling budget and a lot of amazing camera angles. What advice do you have for women who want to take style risks, but don’t have a stylist at home all of the time?

GT: Build a capsule wardrobe by investing in a few key pieces. Make sure you buy the right size. Many of my clients but their clothes too big. A very good quality plain white shirt. Good sources are Emporio Armani and Nara Camiche. Great fitted colored jacket to suit your style and shape. (Zara, Emporio Armani, Gucci) The little black dress to take you anywhere. (Dolce and Gabbana, RM, Alexander McQueen) Perfect jeans to suit your shape. (Acne for high waisted, Seven for hipsters Rock and Republic) A pencil skirt for the office or a great night out. (RM, Gucci, Reiss) If you build on these 5 key pieces you have the beginnings of a capsule wardrobe which will work for you.

LF: What are your top three tips to shopping on a budget?

GT: In the current climate, buy “style” rather than “fashion”, invest in the classic pieces that will last many seasons. Reserve fashion for shoes and bags that easily update an outfit, true fashion pieces should be kept to cheaper items. Last years’ sleeveless expensive jacket is almost certainly destined to remain unworn. “Style” is what we actually wear 90% of the time so it makes sense to spend money here.
Use a Personal Shopper to be disciplined and buy items that you love that will last. You can have style on any budget.

LF: This movie was all about romance and making your way as a business woman. What is your number one pick for an interview outfit? What about first date?

GT: The number one pick for an interview is a well tailored suit. Spend money on this and aim to keep it for several years. A crisp white shirt worn underneath and you will get your dream job. It is personal choice whether you favor trousers or a skirt suit, for me I would always choose a skirt, I think women should maximize their natural looks and show their figure.

For a first date: If you are going to a restaurant, a party, or a smart cocktail bar I would always choose a Little Black Dress. The dress should be fitted to your shape and reveal some cleavage but not excessively so. Wear great underwear and a simple pair of black court shoes or sandals and you will sizzle. Black is also a great choice on a budget as the material will generally look more expensive in black.

Dresses cut under the bust skim over a tummy and look flattering. If you are hourglass choose a style that is fitted at the waist. Micro-skirts are best avoided, but miniskirts if you have great legs are fine. To really wow a man another option is to wear red, this is the ultimate passion choice and will make a great impression from the outset. For true style, a tip I picked up in Milan is to wear red with red, this is a literally traffic stopping look.

If you are going to the cinema or similar casual event then the choice is simple. Jeans suit most people but do not look like you have made an effort. Swap them for black or white jeans with a colored top and suddenly style appears.

LF: Rumor has it you will be working on a film with Emily Blunt as well. What will your role be “chief stylist” are you wardrobing or doing the press tour etc?

GT: I will be doing press interviews and media coverage and advising on fashion and styling as it relates to the film.

LF: How do you decipher the difference between dressing an actress for her role and dressing her for the press tour as herself promoting that role?

GT: The two are very different. An actress "in role" may wear a costume or may dress down according to the role. For a press tour it is all out dressing to be noticed and to impress.

LF: Social media is huge right now, and it looks like it isn’t going anywhere, what do you think women should pay attention to and what do you think they should just skip over and hit “delete” in terms of e-mail blasts, sales, shopping invites etc.

GT: Social media is rapidly eclipsing ordinary press many sales, invites are only going to appear on these sites. If you ignore this then opportunities will pass you by. The problem is information overload so I would advise people to stick to sites that they love and trust like Nolcha.

LF: Everyone in fashion says “dress to please yourself and not to follow a trend” what do you say to the woman who claims she is pleased by her 1980’s high-waisted denim, bad shoes and permed hair? How do you get her into the current decade?

GT: This is hard and I had a client just like this recently. I think the main point is to make clear that they have come to see me for a reason. I immediately make them look about 10-15 years younger by shortening hemlines etc. Generally women are enthralled when they look in the mirror and can see for themselves that they look fantastic. I think that seeing a stylist regularly every 5-8 years or so would stop people falling into a rut and save money in the long run as they buy less clothes.