Tuesday, 27 April 2010

STYLISA talks to Company Magazine Art Director, Adele Chidwick



Firstly, tell us about what you do at Company Magazine?
 I'm the art director on Company magazine, my job is to create the vision of the title - from the design of the covers and the magazine, typography, styling, photoshoot art direction and concepts, commissioning creatives and managing an art team!

How did you get into the fashion industry?
I studied both graphic design and photography at college and early on knew I wanted to be an art director.  My first real job was for Marvel comics, from there I got in to the glossy magazine world, working on titles such as 'B', 'Ikea Room' 'Fabric' 'The Sunday telegraph' 'ELLE' 'Grazia' to name a few.  I've just worked my way up from junior to art director level, full time and freelance positions, monthly and weekly titles.  I think it’s really important to gain lots of experience on a variety of titles, you are then prepared for every challenge (and pace!) and can adapt your design skills and embrace new ideas with no fear! I've been really lucky to have worked on a wide range of titles and worked with some amazing talented people…

What is average day like for you?
Every day is pretty different, if I'm in the office I'll start at 9.30am with a large mug of tea :) Going through layouts with my team, allocating design work and prioritising layouts, looking through edits and picture research with my picture editor.  I'll be designing pages or maybe a cover, choosing guest fonts, pantone colours with my editor to work on our covers.  Looking at models with my beauty editor and looking at key fashion looks for my photoshoots with my fashion team.

If on a shoot its usually early, 8.30am call time and you tend to be on your feet all day, I oversee the whole shoot - looking at lighting,/crops with the photographer, discussing my ideas with the celebrity/models or readers and art directing them on set with my fashion editor.   We shoot a lot of content for the magazine, so I get to do heaps of different photo shoots working with a wide range of photographers both in the UK, Europe and America.

Company isn't just a magazine but a brand so I'll work across platforms, adding content to the website, designing posters, even new fashion magazines such as 'The High-Street Edit' which I worked on at the same time as the main title! Our next issue is out in September so in the midst of summer I'll be creating the next one…


New Fashion Magazine

I look online at new photoshoots and stories, advertising and blogs (I heart google!) and looking through inspiring titles- it’s really important to see what the trends are, what our readers are interested in and what I need to create in the magazine that’s individual and different.  I also create mood-boards for all our shoots showing the vibe I want to create.  Working on a fashion title you need to be really on trend and be doing something different!

What are the highlights of your job?
 I love coming up with ideas and that for me is the highlight of my job - seeing a random idea I've had to transform into a photoshoot and then in a magazine!  Also, building a small team and working hard on a project and it becoming successful.  It’s not just about designing pretty pages, it’s about readers buying and relating to the magazine, so I've always got the Company girl in mind in whatever I do…

Adele with Alexandra Burke

You are a big supporter of up and coming designers – have you come across
any young designers who you think have promise?

What I loved in the high-street edit is that we could champion new talent, whether it be fashion or illustration, in the next edition I want to develop this further with photographers etc too. I did a shout out on twitter and has some amazing feedback… so watch this space! I've given a lot of photographers and illustrators over the years their first real break and seeing them shooting big ad campaigns makes me really proud!

At STYLISA, we believe that style is as much about your state of mind, as it is about what you wear.  What is your interpretation of style?
 True style for me is definitely wearing something that makes you feel happy, that’s not only about what’s 'hot now', but what you love and makes you feel confident.  The way I personally dress is inspired by everyone around me, a girl walking down the street or someone in my office, a beautiful photoshoot, a celebrity or model off-duty and the catwalk shows.  My clothes are probably a mix of high fashion pieces - usually through accessories; quirky shoes, simple jewellery, a cool bag and classics; like a well cut blazer and a slouchy T. I'm pretty lucky that I can ask my fashion director' opinion on clothes I like before I buy - my very own personal stylist!

What are you favourite key looks for Spring/Summer 2010?
I'll definitely be investing in … the nude trend 'chloe' style, a pair of clogs from Topshop - at the LFW shows it was all chunky heels and clogs come autumn/winter 2010, a mini A-line skirt maybe vintage, a maxi (again a timeless piece) a pussy bow blouse, am also embracing the Mad Men Betty vibe with red hot lippie and floral dresses!

If you could give one essential style tip, what would it be?
Heart the high-street! It’s worth spending time rather than money on key pieces, Uniqlo jeans for around £20 are the best jeans I've seen around and Zara have great from catwalk to highstreet pieces, also the rings from H&M are amazing!  Also, it’s worth investing in some classics, a cute LBD from a diffusion range e.g., twenty8twelve, Marc by Marc Jacobs, see by Chloe, which you can get from ASOS.

Finally, what advice would you give to anyone who wants to get into the world of fashion?
 I believe you can achieve whatever you want if you want it badly enough! It’s about focus and hard work, determination and believing in yourself.  Apply for work experience and say yes to 'every' opportunity!  Sounds silly but always be polite, everyone knows everyone else in this job, if you are a lovely hardworking person you'll be recommended, late for work or
unenthusiastic you won't be!

Be realistic - you are not going to earn the big bucks and it’s not all glamour especially when you start out, but its soooo worth it when you get to see your ideas become a reality!

www.company.co.uk
The next issue of 'Company The high-street edit' is out in September 2010.
follow us on twitter @companymagazine @highstreetedit @adelecompanymag

Friday, 23 April 2010

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer


If you only buy one item of clothing, make sure it comes from the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer’ collection.  Various designers and high street brands have leant their support to the campaign and come up with some very fashionable pieces.  Our personal favourite is this ‘Love to Love’ Tee from Topshop (£16, stockists number 0844 984 0264).  Not only does it look great, but a 30% donation will be given to the campaign, so not only are you making an investment in your wardrobe, but you are investing in a very worthy cause.

Here are some facts about Breast Cancer:

1      Nearly 46,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK.
2      Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK.
3      1 in 9 women in the UK will develop breast cancer at some point in their lifetime.
4      Nearly 1,000 women die of breast cancer every month in the UK.
5      More women than ever in the UK are surviving breast cancer thanks to better awareness, better screening and better treatments.

Please show your support by wearing your support.


For more information, go to the official website

The STYLISA team would like to dedicate this particular blog post to the memory of our dear friend Kelly Fox and all of the incredible women who have lost their battle to breast cancer.

Thursday, 22 April 2010

Tuesday, 20 April 2010

STYLISA featured on the Save Your Sole blog

Lisa has been featured on the Save Your Sole blog, talking about her love of Jimmy Choo shoes.  Read it here http://saveyoursole.wordpress.com/

Monday, 19 April 2010

Florence & Fred Couture - Pagoda Dress


Love at first sight, was the term that came to mind when we first saw the pictures of the new F&F Couture collection from Tesco.  However one piece in particular caught our STYLISA eyes…the Pagoda Dress.   The dress is a combination of Lady Gagas’ quirkiness and Audrey Hepburns’ classic and timeless style.  Add to this the texture and the pleating, and you really do have a potential capsule wardrobe contender.  This dress is great because you could wear it to work or you could wear in the evening, and it requires very little in terms of accessorising.
Even the name is quirky and couture (Pagoda refers to an Asian temple usually a pyramidal tower with an upward curving roof).  Personally, I love the fact that couture-inspired pieces like this have become so accessible, instead of just being available to the few that could afford them, as was once the case.  Fashion is for everyone and innovative collections such as these give us all the opportunity to look great on a reasonable budget.
A couture dress for £140.00?  That’s Credit Crunch Couture at its’ best if you ask me!
Look out for another STYLISA F&F couture blog piece coming next week…



For more information, see the clothing at Tesco blog http://blog.clothingattesco.com/





Saturday, 10 April 2010

Thursday, 8 April 2010

Exchange - Orange Business Magazine


STYLISA has made a second appearance in the Orange Business Magazine, Exchange http://www.orangeexchange.co.uk/gfs22/#/team_leaders/

Tuesday, 6 April 2010

Stewart Parvin – A Wedding Dress Wonderland




If Alice were to ever decide to get married, and wanted to find the perfect wedding dress, then Stewart Parvin would be the first boutique she would see when looking into the looking glass. Upon entering the boutique on Motcomb Street in Knightsbridge, it is not difficult to see why Stewart received The Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of his work in 2007. The bridal collection is simply breathtaking to say the least. Further enhanced, by a very personalised service from a dedicated team, these dresses are truly the stuff of fairy tales.

There is a style to suit every woman, regardless of age or body shape, and better yet, each style can be tailored to fit any woman. If you want to accentuate your curves, then A Star is Born is the perfect choice. To show off your waist, then Pretty As A Picture or North by Northwest are great dresses. Or if like me, you are a fan of the infamous 1950’s silhouette, then My Funny Valentine captures this era perfectly. My personal favourite is Strangers in the Night, a luscious lace gown that is beautifully beaded, and teamed with a gorgeous bolero jacket. This dress is both flattering to the body and exceedingly elegant. It would be difficult to find a woman, who wouldn’t look great in such an enchanting creation.

Not only are the team a delight (especially Jean Barrett, who immediately puts you at your ease), but the man himself is also very delightful and friendly. I had the pleasure of meeting Stewart at the re-launch of the UK branch of the FGI, which he was kind enough to host. An evening in wonderful company, whilst surrounded by beautiful clothes. What more could a fashion stylist ask for?

Having seen a sneak preview of their Spring/Summer ready to wear collection, I can tell you that there is a great deal of colour and the unmistakable elegance that is sewn into the very fabric of every piece of Parvin’s work. Put simply, it is…Perfectly Parvin.

Top image: North By Northwest, Middle Image: My Funny Valentine, Bottom Image: Strangers in the Night

Website: http://www.stewartparvin.com/

Friday, 2 April 2010