
I should begin by saying I abhor lists. Even from the most revered of icons (Save Anna!), they are, at best, a distilled dictum, and it is in my not-so-humble opinion that, truly, style lives in the idiosyncratic variations, the visual cadenzas, the flagrant violation of those hallowed ‘rules’ of style. Coco? Yes, yes, I’ll take one thing off before I leave the house, love. Apfel? No, no, you’re right, I must add, just must. Three rings too many? Perfect. The ever mercurial enfant terrible that it is, fashion creates rules one season so that it may rebel against them the next.
That diatribe aside, my work as a stylist has taught me that while taste may be subjective, style is an essence, not merely an au courant aesthetic assemblage. I strive to help my clients define their own essence through the following fundamental principles:
Always begin with inspiration. It need not be aesthetic, either. I once had a client tell me she wanted me to dress her the way she imagined Rosalind from This Side of Paradise would. This particular inspiration was rather difficult to articulate, because she wasn’t speaking purely of period-specific apparel, but, rather, a studied irreverence. She lives in cropped motorcycle jackets now and wears more bracelets than even I do, and that is no small feat. Oh, and she’s come to adore Balenciaga. Quelle Surprise!
Understand your body’s limitations, even if you don’t always heed them. This is simple: know what works, and only leave your comfort zone when you are absolutely in love with a look — the confidence you have will eclipse any insecurities (ahem-the hips you usually make an effort to disguise).
Accessorize. Whether you draw inspiration from the aforementioned Ms. Apfel, or a more streamlined subject, never underestimate the impact of a few well-chosen accessories. Even in those dire situations where you simply cannot coordinate an ensemble, a glam neckpiece (big is in again, ladies! Think Givenchy or Lanvin…) will give that Hanes tee you stole from your significant other a chic, polished touch.
Do not take ‘this stuff’ too seriously. Nothing is more unattractive or, frankly, gauche, than a woman dripping in designer who speaks of Schiaparelli as if she were our lord and savior. Fashion should be a source of fun and fantasy, not just another arena in which we can wax academic. Did I love the afros at Louis Vuitton for Spring? Absolutely. Does it signify a paradigm shift? Not so much.
So what I am really saying here is take a risk. Dress to suit yourself, and you may
just find, as I have, that style is an expression, and if you let it, joyous it will be.
xo joseph