Fashion changes with the seasons and with the latest celebrities du jour, but style comes from each person within.  It is developed over the years as a reflection of character and everyone has a style; they just might not be aware of it or feel comfortable enough in their own skin to display it successfully.

Most of todays celebrities have a team of fashion stylists to help co-ordinate their look and to create their own personal style. One such stylist is the amazingly creative Lisa Maynard-Atem of company STYLISA.

STYLISA

STYLISA is a a full service styling consultancy that aims to cater for all fashion styling requirements. Ranging from press show styling, television, music videos and personal consultation.

www.stylisa.com

LadyM Presents interviewed Lisa to learn more about the great work the company does;

Q. When was the STYLISA brand created and what was the inspiration?

A.  The STYLISA brand was created five years ago.  The inspiration came from my love of fashion, which I inherited from my mother, who used to take me to fashion shows and clothes shops when I was young.

Q.  What encouraged you to get into this industry and what was your route into it?

A.  I have been passionate about fashion from a very early age.  However my route was not a conventional one.  I trained and worked as a graphic designer.  After having worked in that industry for almost 10 years, I decided to follow my real passion.  I spent two years assisting other stylists, building up my portfolio and contacts and in 2005, I launched STYLISA.

Q.  What is a typical working day for you?

A.  There is no such thing as a typical day really.  Some days are spent calling in clothes and shopping for photo shoots.  Others are spent on the phone to journalists and going on press visits.  One thing that is consistent is that we are always promoting the STYLISA brand.  Wherever we are and whatever we are doing, we are always mindful that we are representing the brand, so we never miss an opportunity to promote the brand in the best possible light.

Q.  Where do you source your pieces for your clients? Where do you get your ideas from?

A.  We source clothes from a variety of sources, ranging from department stores, boutiques, designers and press offices.  I also spend a great deal of time scouting for new designers, as clients always want something unique and different, that no one else has seen before.

Model and entrepreneur Caprice, with the STYLISA team

Q.  What key trends do you think there are for this spring/summer? How do you stay on top of the latest trends?

A.  Denim is a big trend for spring/summer, as are maxi dresses and playsuits .  We stay on top of the trends by attending fashion shows, reading trend reports, and speaking to designers.  We also people watch.the street is a great place to discover trends and unique styles.

Q.  Who is your favourite designer and why?

A.  My favourite designer is Vivienne Westwood.  When I was young, I used to watch the Clothes Show, and each year they ran a competition for a couple to win their fantasy wedding.  One particular year, Vivienne Westwood was the designer chosen to make the dress.  She designed and made the most beautiful tartan gown.  The moment I saw that dress was the moment I fell in love with Vivienne Westwood.

Q.  Who is your fashion icon?

A.  My fashion icon is Audrey Hepburn – she epitomises a classic and timeless elegance that has yet to be surpassed.

Lisa with Stewart Parvin, dressmaker to The Queen

Q. What advice would you give for anyone wanting to get into the fashion/stylist industry?

A.  Be prepared to work EXTREMELY hard.  Be focused and never give up.  Always keep yourself up to date with the latest trends.  Most of all, believe in yourself.  When I first started out, there were doubters who did not believe I could achieve my goals of being in the fashion industry, especially as I did not have a fashion background.  It was my self-belief and sheer determination that has got me to this point and it is those same two things that will take me even further.

Q.  What’s the most rewarding part of your work? What is your greatest accomplishment so far?

A.  The most rewarding part and greatest accomplishment is simply that I am here, doing the one thing I have wanted to do since I was four years old.  I love my job and look forward to going to work every single day.  Everything else after this is a great bonus.

Q.  What is next for STYLISA? What are your goals for 2010?

A.  We are currently developing and growing the social media side of the business.  We are currently working with our clients to develop the social media side of their businesses, and through social media, make contact with key people that they could collaborate with.  This area of the business is experiencing a serious growth spurt, which is fantastic.  My goal for 2010 is to simply carry on growing the business and concentrating on my global strategy to take the STYLISA brand to New York and beyond.

www.stylisa.com

STYLISA is also working with many great designers such as Miglio Designer Jewellery to develop their online presence as well as having the fabulous blog with some great interviews with fellow lovely people from the world of fashion.

Contact Lisa at STYLISA via www.stylisa.com for all your fashion styling, sourcing creatives, fashion event organising, corporate styling, garment sourcing and personal shopping needs.