Stalked: Courtney, Stylist

If I had to choose a person from their day job for some fashionable recommendations, it would have to be a stylist - most will agree, they are the kings and queens of being 'in the know'! Therefore, when I met the lovely Coco a successful fashion and celebrity stylist I picked her brains like no tomorrow on all things stylish! 

 What do you love about being a stylist and why do you do it?

I am a creative person… I love that every day is different. In one week I could be presenting a tv or online show about a celebrities style, styling a shoot for a commercial or editorial, creating idea mood boards for clients, at a model casting, attending the launch of a new fashion collection, attending press events, pulling clothes for shoots, researching new shoot locations, flying to somewhere exotic for a shoot… the list is endless and keeps me excited and on my toes and I get to work in fashion every day. It’s tough but I’m still living the dream!

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Who have you styled for and how did you get started?

 I studied fashion design and then continued to do a post-grad in Fashion Media in London College of Fashion. It was a combination of styling, writing and PR which gave me a very rounded idea on what the industry is like. I started styling shoots with friends from when I first started college so it really was a natural progression and a learning curve.

I worked for a high end fashion boutique in London where I had the incredible opportunity to style their celebrities and work with them on looks for red carpet events and some magazine features.

From there I moved on to set myself up as a stylist and that’s when it all started. It was really hard of the first 2 years as you are building your name, contacts and a portfolio but this is my 6th year in business now and going from strength to strength. I have had shoots and covers for Sunday times STYLE, GQ South Africa, Xpose magazine, U Magazine, Tatler Man to name a few. And my commercial clients include adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, Ebay, Heatons, Dunnes Stores and many more.

How would you describe your personal style? 

A friend once described me as a Glam Bohemian Rocker, which sounds very elaborate but kinda knocks my style choices right on the head actually. I adore kimonos and anything and everything to do with the seventies, but on a day to day basis I am usually in leather trousers or jeans, an oversized jumper and some chunky or fringes boots. And always with my selection of vintage jewellery.

Best styling job to date?

 I don’t have one specific job but I do have a specific trip. I was hired to go on an epic 6 day shoot around Italy which was a high production. The team kicked off in Lake Como where we shot a campaign with 4 models, a vintage motorboat, an old-school sea-plane and vintage mini cooper. Then we flew to the Amalfi Coast where we shot on the cobblestones of the beautiful Amalfi Village and then straight to Venice to shoot another campaign along the canals and with the incredible architecture. It was insane and chaotic and really hard work - but I loved every minute!

Where do you like to shop in London? And who is your favourite designer?

I love different areas for different reasons. I actually LOVE Portobello Market for the little trinkets and vintage steals you can find. I also love Liberty and Browns because it’s like a boutique version of the incredible designer super stores… almost like a very carefully curated selection of the best designer goodies. Other than that I have a few haunts around Covent Garden and Soho that I love; I love to make shopping an experience so the highstreet with hoards of people just doesn't do it for me!

And my fav designer... just one? (That’s so unfair) I adore Isabel Marant - everything she does to me is perfection. 

Favourite restaurant in London? 

Sushi Samba currently - this changes (often) as there are so many incredible places to eat in London. But at the moment it is Sushi Samba, I went with my boyfriend a few weeks ago and could have eaten the place out of fish! 

Advice for an aspiring stylist? 

Work your butts off - and if that doesn't work, work harder! The fashion industry is heavily infiltrated and increasingly more difficult to break into; you need to have a thick skin and you need to be prepared to have to graft at the beginning. But it does eventually pay off… I LOVE what I do.

What 5 items could you not live without?

 My gold claddagh ring my mum gave me, my phone, my diary (I’m old school like that but I need it otherwise I would never turn up to a job or meetings), credit card and lipgloss (had to have something girly in there).

Keep up with this little lady via twitter @CocoSmithStyle or stalk her more on her website www.courtneysmith.ie

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