Alex Moore is a freelance fashion stylist and a
stylist at Styling Up. Her style has an 80s feel and she defines herself as a “shoe
fiend”.
She decided it was a time for a change in her life, and being a fashion lover, she took a course in styling and started working as a freelance stylist in 2012. She just launched her very own personal website, so do take a look.
Check out
the full interview with this stylist and find out more about her style,
favourite designers and her very own tips for several body shapes. You can also
take a look at her stylist
page and contact her with your style questions.
How and when did you start being a fashion stylist? Tell us your story.
I only qualified this year in being a
stylist, but have always loved fashion and always seemed to be the ‘go to’
person when friends and family wanted advice on new outfits. I decided that
whilst I’m still young enough to change my career that I would look into taking
on a course in personal styling and from there I am gradually building up my
business.
What are you currently working on?
I focus on personal styling for women,
from complete wardrobe overhauls to quick lunchtime sessions for specific
outfits. The main thing I love about personal styling is working with and meeting
so many different people. It’s liberating to make someone feel good about
themselves, especially if they’re apprehensive about the experience or have
lost their way with fashion.
What does fashion mean to you?
Fashion intrigues me. The way it’s evolved over the
years to where we are now and where it’s going to go. I was never a confident
person growing up, but fashion is something I've always been interested
in. It took me a long time to find a
style that I was comfortable with and now I have, I enjoy finding new ways of
experimenting with current trends and incorporating them into old.
What are your favourite brands & designers?
I love the more slightly off the wall designers, Miu
Miu, D&G, Stella McCartney.
Alexander McQueen has to be my favourite. His clothes were amazing, almost like pieces
of art in their own right. The ideas of his designs always amazed me and the
way he tested the boundaries of normality at fashion week.
How would you define your personal style?
I generally plan my outfits around my shoes. I have a
relaxed but smart style and have been told many times my outfits have a bit of
an 80s feel to them. I can spend ages
standing in front of my wardrobe deciding what to wear, but like to look like
I’ve just put something on and off I go.
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One of the outfits recommended by Alex. Panda Print Jumper, from French Connection; Black Shorts, from French Connection; Fuchsia Strap Sandals, from Dorothy Perkins; Disco Leopard Clutch, from French Connection. |
If you could pick 3 fashion must-haves that every woman should own, what would they be?
I would say you can’t go wrong with a good pair of
jeans. Jeans are a good staple wardrobe
item that can be dressed up or down for various occasions – if you feel
comfortable in those, you can always push your comfort zone and experiment with
different tops. Be prepared to pay a bit
more for a good pair, but trust me, you won’t regret it.
Being a bit of a shoe fiend, I would feel like a
traitor to the shoe world by not suggesting making a purchase of a beautiful
pair of designer shoes. Granted, you
could be paying a lot more money than usual, however, if you went for a classic
black court Louboutin for example, like the jeans, you can team them with
anything and wear them anywhere. With
your new pair of jeans for example and they will make you feel amazing.
Personally I can’t go anywhere without my leather
jacket. I’ve worn it through the winter
with chunky jumpers through to cooler nights in the summer with little dresses
or shorts, I wear it to work, to the shops, everywhere. I would definitely feel lost without it.
What was your greatest challenge as a fashion stylist, and how did you solve it?
I find that I’m my greatest challenge as a
stylist – I can get nervous before a session because I so want my clients to
have a great day and get the most out of it that my mind goes blank with all
the research I've put into ensuring this happens.
I worry that the shops we go in aren't going to have their size or I haven’t understood their scope properly, but as soon as we hit those shops I relax into it and am able to ensure it is the perfect day for my clients and that they come away with exactly what they wanted and have learnt something about themselves too.
I worry that the shops we go in aren't going to have their size or I haven’t understood their scope properly, but as soon as we hit those shops I relax into it and am able to ensure it is the perfect day for my clients and that they come away with exactly what they wanted and have learnt something about themselves too.
Women have several body shapes. What’s the biggest tip you can give to women with different shapes?
Firstly, the best tip I can give women
whatever their body shape, is please, please take the time to try clothes on
and put them on properly, even if as you’re putting it on you decide you don’t
like it. Once it’s on and you've dressed
it properly, it will look completely different.
Pear Shape: Your top
half is amazing, don’t be afraid to show it off and show a bit of
cleavage. If you wear jackets, opt for
ones that sit above your hips.
Straight Shape: Being a
straight myself, we’re lucky enough to be able to carry pretty much anything
off. Don’t let this fool you though,
still try everything on.
Hourglass Shape: The
‘perfect’ figure – emphasize that tiny waist with shift dresses or pencil
skirts with tucked in blouses. Think
1950s.
Diamond Shape: Balance
out your shoulders and hips by adding definition to your waist. Lengthen those legs by wearing high waisted
straight leg trousers and show off those arms.
Oval Shape: The trick
here is to add curve to your shape – try a peplum top with a slim fitting
skirt. Chances are your legs are
amazing, so show them off.
Inverted
Triangle Shape: Emphasize
your hips by wearing tulip skirts or harem pants – anything that adds bulk to
your hips to balance out your shoulders.
Of the outfits you recommend in Stylingup.com, which one is your favourite?
This (below) is definitely my
favourite outfit that I have styled to date. I love the feminine style of the
dress and its simplicity. You can never
go wrong with a LBD (Little Black Dress), it will take you through season after
season, trend after trend. I teamed it
with nude shoes to let the dress do the talking in the outfit and stand out,
but incorporated the pink bag as a pop of colour. I thought the necklace would sit nicely in
the neckline of the dress, without being over powering.
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"This is definitely my favourite outfit that I have styled to date" Ribbon Trim Prom Dress, from Glamour; Nude Strappy Heels, from AX Paris; Pink Beaded Clutch, from Accessorize; Heart Necklace, from Accessorize. |
Do you usually check out fashion blogs and magazines?
I use twitter – I like the snappy one liner pieces of
information it gives you about fashion news.
Some of the people I follow are bloggers and so if I have the time to
read them I can, otherwise, I get a snapshot of what’s trending (literally)
each season and keep up to date with Fashion Weeks.
I’m a Vogue girl
and buy it religiously every month. It’s
not just a magazine, it’s a collectors item.
I could never throw mine out.