Louise Blaize has a degree in Fashion from the
University for the Creative Arts and currently she’s a stylist at Styling Up and a buyer for a premium high
street chain.
Louise is
starting her styling career and this is the first chapter. She believes that
everyone has the right to look and feel good in their clothing and, to her,
there’s nothing more important in an outfit than a smile: “If you’re not happy
in your clothes, it shows”.
Read the
full interview with this stylist and find out more about her style, her love
for prints, favourite designers and blogs and some tips for several body
shapes. You can also check out her personal stylist page to see some of
her recommendations.
How and when did you start being a fashion stylist? Tell us your story.
Probably ever since I was a
kid. I used to style my family, friends and of course my Barbie dolls. I’d say
my professional career as a stylist starts right here right now, so you are
reading Chapter 1. Right now, I’m building up my portfolio as a stylist through
Stylingup.com, that way I get to know my
client in depth, I get to understand their body and know what works and what
doesn’t.
What does fashion mean to you?
Fashion is right but oh so
wrong,
Fashion is a statement but
it fade.
Fashion is luxury but often
budget,
Fashion can be a nightmare
but turns into a dream.
Above all fashion truly is
passion, you either have it or you don’t.
What are your favourite brands & designers?
I love Peter Pilotto for the outstanding prints, I can
look at his prints for hours and Christopher De Vos brings life to those prints
with hs amazing silouettes.
Christopher Kane burst onto the scene and shook up the
fashion world in 2007 with his neon collection,but one of my favourite
collections is his Resort 2011 collection where he uses space images as prints
for his clothing. I like Marc Jacobs not only for his crazy personality but the
silhouette’s he creates and the fabric manipulation.
I really love everything about Tom Ford from his
tailoring right the way through to his looks.
How would you define your personal style?
I love colour and I love prints, sometimes they marry
together in an explosion that would be classed as crazy, unique, garish. I see
it as having fun and letting my personality show through my clothing.
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"I love this outfit because every piece is bold in its own right but put together makes such a striking powerful outfit, everyone will notice and the wearer will feel so good in it. Plus it has flat shoes so you could wear this outfit all day" |
If you could pick 3 fashion must-haves that every woman should own, what would they be?
The most important item in your entire wardrobe is
underwear, that covers bras, knickers, support, the lot. If you aren’t
supported underneath you might as well consider yourself half dressed. The
importance of a good bra is totally understated these days.
Another must have has got to be a LBD. No matter where
you’re going or what you are doing there is always an occasion for a little
black dress. It can be styled up differently each time to give you a different
look but it’s always the safety net on those days when you think you have
nothing to wear.
And finally you’re never fully dressed without a
smile. This can make or break your outfit, if you’re not happy in your clothes
it shows.
Looking back… what was your biggest fashion “mistake”?
I don’t trust anyone that says they never make mistakes with fashion, everyone makes mistakes. (Like me wearing bright green Adidas trainers and I mean bright green with pretty much every single item of clothing in my wardrobe. I loved them but looking back at the pictures that will never see the light of day, I think to myself, I’m sure I owned a mirror so what happened?) People think mistakes are bad, I think that if you don’t make them you’re not adventurous and fashion is an adventure so have fun.
What was your greatest challenge as a fashion stylist, and how did you solve it?
I was asked once to take a girl shopping who was a
tom boy but wanted to change. It was hard because just getting her to try on
something with colour or shape let alone a dress was proving near impossible.
That’s when I realized I had to talk to her and find out why she wanted to
change. Styling someone can also be a form of therapy, it’s a chance for the
client to look inside themselves and find out why they want to change or why
they want to stay the same. It was then
I also realized how important clothing could be in some people’s lives.
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One of the outfits Louise recommended, based on a Cheetah Print Tunic from Praslin, Print Palazzo Trousers from Simply Be, Red Contrast Heels from AX Paris, Red Tote Bag from ASH, and a Bead Choker from French Connection |
What’s the biggest tip you can give to women with different shapes?
Pear Shape: I say embrace your curves; you really do
have a good thing. A small waist and a booty, which is there to entice, what
could be better? But if you really
aren’t a fan of your shape make sure when wearing tops or jackets that they cut off above the
hip line and show off your shoulders and waist to distract the eye.
Straight Shape: You need to create shape from
somewhere and that could be in the form of A line skirts (add a tutu for a real
50’s,volumising silhouette), shoulder pads or epaulettes are a good way to add
some structure and draping is an excellent way to add volume, just let the
fabric do all the work.
Hourglass Shape: You ladies have the best of
everything so be proud of it. I know fashion stores don’t easily cater for
curvy women, hopefully one day they will catch on but in the meantime. You can
wear any skirt you please but nothing suits you better than a pencil, your
clothes can be figure hugging but don’t go overboard I’m not saying go out
dressed as Jessica Rabbit. Consider going up a size especially for tops with
buttons, you do not want to keep buttoning your blouse because the buttons keep
popping out.
Diamond Shape: You need to create a waist so a belt or
clothes that incorporate a belt or some kind of paneling will be your best
friend. You can wear V neck tops or thin straps to show off your shoulders and cleavage
(make sure the strap isn’t too thin that it shows off your bra straps). Make
sure when wearing trousers or jeans that they are straight, no flares for you
and besides the 70’s are over.
Oval Shape: A wrap dress is perfect for you, it shows
of your bust, drapes to create a waist and also disguises your mid section
whilst skimming over your hips. Patterns that elongate your body are the ticket
to looking good as an oval shape.
Inverted Triangle Shape: This can be a very desirable
shape, your waist is slim and you have hips as well. You can go wild with asymmetric
cuts on tops and dresses. If you want to create volume in your lower half try
harem pants, a long pleated maxi skirt or tulip dress. As for the top half
anything that will draw the eye downwards and away from your shoulders will
help so wrap tops are ideal and nothing beats a waterfall neckline.
Do you usually check out fashion blogs and magazines?
Style Bubble - For fantastic close up images of the latest
trends, great front row and backstage images of fashion shows and Susie’s
writing is engaging and sometimes amusing.
The Online Stylist - A great way to see fashion looks easily and
access to bloggers websites from around the world.
Schön! Magazine – This magazine covers fashion, art, photography, all
things I love