Fashion Profile
My Full Story
Having worked as a Fashion Editor for a number of years, a career which took me around the world for fashion editorials, I know a thing or two about the industry and am truly passionate about all things style.
My love affair with fashion began during my childhood, creating outfits made from my mother’s sarongs and trying every possible trend. Eventually this led me to obtaining a degree in fashion then finding my way into magazines fresh out of university. Working at prestigious publications such as Cosmopolitan, GQ and Woman & Home magazine, I worked my way up to the position of Fashion Editor.
Immersed in the creative world from day one, styling still life shoots, attending fashion events, conceptualising fashion stories, and manifesting them into fashion editorials, this is a role I am truly passionate about: a role that does not feel like a job.
After moving from South Africa to the UK I combined my invaluable experience gained from being a Fashion Editor with my urge to capture the buzz of the fashion industry, and pursued my career in fashion styling in the UK. Collaborating on various fashion advertorials helped me master the art of integrating high-end fashion with accessible everyday style. I draw inspiration from the most unexpected areas of everyday life — from the timeless style of the Dior era to the vibrant kaleidoscope of colour that exposes itself in the cosmopolitan areas of today.
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There is a unique and special story behind every client’s brief and I enjoy helping them bring it to life, working collaboratively with others to create the perfect outcome. Bringing my experience and perspective to all elements of the shoot process, whether styling shoots, creative direction or shoot production, I feel that this is a field where my creativity belongs.
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Travel plays a key role in my styling philosophy and moving to the UK gave me a broader understanding of the global and cultural differences in style and the way people express themselves through fashion. I am excited for my styling future ahead and look forward to creating fashion masterpieces in the UK.
Professional Experience
Styling Work
I am a diligent, dedicated and driven fashion enthusiast with a comprehensive background in the fashion industry. I possess an eye for my target market and the competence and capability to apply myself to any task I am given. Creative and artistic, I also possess strong, communication, organisational and administrative skills and am particularly proud of my ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines without compromising quality. Regularly trusted to manage relationships at a senior level, I consider myself particularly lucky to work in a creative field which I love and this shines through in the work I produce.
Freelance Stylist & Fashion Advisor
May 2015 - Present
End-to-end conceptualisation of fashion editorials based on thorough research, industry knowledge and natural creative ability; researching shoot location, sourcing models to complement the brief, briefing photographer, hair & make up artist and model on creative concept, sourcing clothing, prepping items, styling, directing and producing the shoot.
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Creating mood boards for shoots to ensure the creative process is adhering to the brief and to give the collaborating stakeholders a visual of the fashion story.
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Collaborating with various photographers on fashion stories, styling and directing both shoots and video shoots.
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Styling looks for various advertorials and commercials, setting up scenes for the shoot and styling still life shots according to clients' brief including Edgars, Avon, BP, Pernod Ricard, Living & Loving magazine, Very kids.
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Personal stylist and fashion advisor at Hobbs Manchester being solely responsible for taking on personal styling sessions with clients and customers as well as being the spokeswoman at various events hosted by Hobbs on the latest fashion trends and how to wear them.
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Key note speaker at Hobbs events providing audience with knowledge of fashion trends, how to wear them, how to style them for any age or body type and provide stylist advice while they shop the new collections.
Stylist and lead creative at Sinnamon PR and Communications
July 2017 - November 2017
Conceptualised celebrity photoshoot in a tight time frame for popular South African actress Nambitha Ben-Mazwi.
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Negotiated the venue, sourced clothing, styled and produced the shoot.
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Styling and production of Scotch & Soda Advertorial with Sashi Naidoo which was featured in Elle magazine over a two-month period.
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Assisted in design decisions of advertorials.
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Fashion Editor Woman & Home magazine SA
February 2011 - May 2015
Accountable for the end-to-end planning and execution of all fashion pages in the magazine, editorial and still life.
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Conducting research and translating that into trends for target market.
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Creating monthly fashion briefs in line with researched fashion trends.
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Maintaining the magazine website, styling and shooting look books and updating all social media platforms.
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Organising an array of both national and international fashion shoots.
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Sourcing for shoots from various fashion brands sample rooms and from stores according to the monthly fashion brief.
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Viewing and selecting locations and models who are appropriate to the brand and brief and styling them accordingly.
Developing and mentoring fashion team of 3 in the production of the fashion pages, and delegating where appropriate.
Building relationships through clear and effective communication while working alongside internal stakeholders;
Art Director, Photographer, Hair and Make Up and Assistants
Working with Art Director in choosing the images which would be featured in the magazine and identifying areas for retouching in order to create the perfect image.
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Regularly prioritising workload to meet tight deadlines.
Negotiating with suppliers to agree products and services within budgeting requirements.