EARLY FASHION AMBITIONS: I’ve always had an interest in fashion. As a child I would go through my mother’s jewellery boxes like they were treasure chests. I loved how the pieces felt vintage and like they had a story to tell. When I was in high school I became interested in photography and asked my parents if I could sign up for FIT’s Summer Live program (a 4-week program for high school students). The photography program was filled so I signed up for Multi-Media Art and Jewellery Designs classes. I loved it and knew that I wanted to do something in fashion. Magazines have always been my first love. I think I still have boxes of ones I read as teenager packed away at my parents’ house! I’m a very visual-thinking person and I always loved the idea of telling stories in that way. I studied photography at FIT and that’s where my love of fashion really developed. FIT opened my eyes to fashion as a business. I loved how the industry was social and living art and big business all at the same time. I changed my major so many times (I was a professional student to my parents’ dismay!). I was required to do an internship during my last semester, (a rare requirement at the time) and I choose an internship at Teen Vogue magazine. I loved everything about that internship and for the first time I really knew what I wanted to do as a career.
HER NOT-SO-AVERAGE CV: I started as an intern in the fashion department at Teen Vogue magazine and after graduating started the difficult task of looking for assistant positions or anything that could keep my foot in the door. I knew magazines were very competitive and I was ready to hustle. I sent my resume to everyone, went on many ‘informational’ interviews and cold-called fashion stylists and work a lot for free assisting them. Finally, I received a call from an assistant at Teen Vogue who was ‘moving up’ and I interviewed and got the job. Don’t only make a great impression with the editors; the connection you make with the assistants are equally as important. As they get promoted or move up, they will make recommendations for candidates to fill their position. I moved from Teen Vogue to Cosmo Girl magazine and held the Accessories Editor position until the magazine folded in 2008. After Cosmo Girl, I worked as a freelance stylist working on editorial and advertising projects, but I would freelance as a market/ accessories editor when opportunities came up, usually filling in for an editor who was on leave. I started at Oprah magazine in 2010, as Contributing Market Editor, which turned into a staff position. In 2012, I was promoted to my current role as Market and Accessories Director, (my current role), where I oversee all things fashion and accessories.
ON JOINING THE TEAM AT O: I love so many things about magazine and I am very proud to work for Oprah. Our readers are very passionate, smart and they have a connection to the magazine and Oprah that is truly unique and special. They’re very responsive so as an editor, it’s a great responsibility but it’s also an unbelievably rewarding experience to know the reach your ideas and stories have. As the Fashion Market and Accessories Director, I am responsible for the fashion content in the magazine. I oversee the market as a whole and manage the fashion department team. I collaborate with my team to forecast fashion trends and build story concepts that I think the Oprah reader would value and love. I am always looking for a new designer or emerging trend!
FYI – THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A NORMAL WEEK: It’s always changing but my week is usually filled with market appointments, brainstorming and ideas meetings with my team, run-throughs for current stories, more meeting with various departments and evening events. The industry has changed a lot since I started my career. Everything has gotten faster. Designers and brands essentially show deliveries now, so my team and I are out in the market all the time. The market we cover at Oprah is very large; from mass brands all the way through fine jewellery and high-end designers. On market appointments I visit designer and brand showrooms where I preview upcoming collections and pick out clothing and accessories for our shoots, but it’s more than that. I am building relationships with designers and I love this aspect of my job.
HOW HER SHOOTS COME TOGETHER: The process is a collaborative one. Ideas are always in motion and there are so many things that can inspire an idea for shoot or fashion page. At the beginning of each season we start building ideas and story boards based on what we are seeing on the runway or while out in the market. We gather and analyse trends we see emerging and then we conceptualize stories based on what we feel the Oprah reader will value. We don’t cover trends for the sake of covering trends. We build stories with our reader in mind. We want her to be inspired but the information needs to be useful for her life.
WHY, AFTER SIX YEARS AT THE MAGAZINE, SHE HAS NO INTENTION OF LEAVING: I love my job! I love the entire creative process of putting together a monthly magazine. It’s a lot of work, but it’s in creditability rewarding. Throughout my time at Oprah magazine, I have been fortunate to work with smart, talented and creative people. I feel particular grateful to work with my boss and O Creative Director, Adam Glassman. Adam has been a mentor to me and I have learned so much from him and continue to every day.
MATERNITY STYLE: I wasn’t a fan of maternity clothes when I was pregnant, which really surprised me because maternity clothes have come a long way! I found that there are not a lot of options for petite moms-to-be. I’m petite (5’1) and most of the proportions of maternity clothes just did not work. I found a few key maternity pieces that I splurged on like jeans from AG and J Brand and Seven For All Mankind’s black jean-pants. The rest of my wardrobe was mainly comprised of oversized sweaters, knits and button-downs and stretchy dresses.
ON HOW BEING A MOM INFLUENCED HER APPROACH TO FASHION: Everyone’s body changes after they have had a child. I feel my style is more focused or uniform/ capsule-like now. I look for pieces that work easily together so getting dressed takes less planning. Good foundations are key. I invest in quality bras, I look for higher cut trousers and I wear one-piece swimsuits now because I am running after a two-year old! Joking aside, I was fortunate to have “bounced back” as they say, after having my son, but I gained 60 plus pounds during my pregnancy so fashion was challenging. It was difficult to have such sudden changes and to feel comfortable and stylish. Now, I value comfort and ease for my day-to-day uniform. I’m really into lower, blocked heels at the moment. They are the perfect run-around-NYC-all-day shoes. A chic, but comfortable shoe is key for busy market days. I’m miserable if my feet hurt! Otherwise, my style is pretty classic with feminine touches. My wardrobe is made up of navy, black, white and grey with touches of prints. I love boxy tops and cashmere sweaters paired with mini-skirts, tailored trousers or great fitting jeans. Each season, I like to add a few trend pieces into my wardrobe, usually in the form of a new jean and pant silhouette and accessory.
TREND TALK: I always want what I’m seeing in advance! Especially when I start working on a new season because everything can feel so fresh. I see a new style or silhouette, and I instantly want it. At the start, there’s an excitement but as the season progresses you can start to see the pieces you really ‘must-have’ and what you are already over. If after I’m still thinking about an item after seeing it for an entire season, it’s probably a smart buy and I usually go for it
ON THE BRANDS TO HAVE ON YOUR RADAR: There are so many, but I’m particularly excited about Monse, Tome, Brandon Maxwell and Novis. They are all talented and it’s been really exciting to see each of them develop and find their groove over the last year. I think they are breathing fresh air into New York City. They are the ones to watch!
ON BEING A WORKING MOM: Women put so much pressure on themselves. We want to be successful at it all and it’s not realistic. My son and my family are always most important, but what I have come to realize is that there is no such thing as complete balance when it comes to juggling work and family. Sometimes the scale is going to tip a little in one direction and I think that’s ok. Everything changed when I had my son but truly, in the best way. I think motherhood has definitely impacted my view on work/ life balance. This is a personal goal of mine that I’m working towards, but I also feel it’s important for everyone to try and find “their” personal balance. Creatively, I think you need to step out of your box in order to be creative. I have learned to ask for help.
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❤ Kisses from STYLLEA ❤