Lily Russo is a freelance fashion stylist and Co-Founder of the luxury online swimwear shop Beachflamingo.com. She worked as Grazia UK's Fashion Editor for 8 years but left that role to pursue her freelancing career. Her specialised areas for freelance fashion editor commissions include main fashion, celebrity styling, look book styling, brand consultancy and trend prediction and reports.
As part of one of my university assignments I had the pleasure of interviewing her.
What inspired you to pursue a career in fashion styling?
"My mother. I grew up with parents who taught me to appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of clothing. My mother worked at Browns when she was 17 and at one stage even had her own lingerie shop. She had an amazing wardrobe and loves an accessory so my sister and I would always play dress up and raid her wardrobe. She always encouraged us to be expressive and follow our dreams. My father is Italian and as expected also loves a great suit, shirt or pair of shoes. I went to university and studied Italian and French as I was sure what I wanted to do and loved languages. I tried to find a more 'conventional' career that would interest me as my parents always made me aware that it was a difficult industry to make it in. But I finally plucked up the courage to apply for internships, got a
response the next day and never looked back."
What's your starting point when approaching a new creative/styling project?
"First of all it's about understanding the aim of the shoot and if it's trend based. Then I create a moodboard of the looks I want to shoot so I have a clear vision in my head. Shoots are 80% prep. If you know what you have to work with on the day it makes your life alot easier and makes any obstacles on the day easier to iron out."
Who or what is your inspiration behind your work?
"Growing up in the 90's and early noughties I was literally obsessed with Vogue and the Brazilian models. It was when Gisele, Ana Claudia and xxxx were the hottest girls to book. The style at the time was also very aspirational and sexy - I would analyse every inch of every page of a shoot.
Stylist Carlyne De Cerf (see iconic shoots from 80's/90's) is my idol. For me her work represents what fashion is about. It's fun, fearless, unapologetic and celebrates women and their bodies."
What do you enjoy the most about being a stylist?
"I get to touch pieces of clothing and see them before they go on sale in shops. It's such a privilege. I've also met so many wonderful people. Every shoot is always so different with new teams. I also get to meet so many wonderful new designers and see their brands grow. Working at Grazia and editing the fashion charts - a page that had a real impact on sales - was wonderful - knowing that you could help a new designer launch or grow their brand."
Out of the projects you've worked on, which are you most proud of?
"Styling main fashion shoots for me is my biggest achievement. As an intern it was just a dream so when it happened it didn't seem real. Being able to shoot looks from the biggest designers in the world is such a privilege."
Tell me something on your bucketlist.
"To work for Vogue Nippon or UK."
Are there any designers or brands that you would like to collaborate with in the future?
"I'm currently designing my own swimwear line. I launched my own luxury online swimwear boutique 4 years ago and obsessed with bikinis. Being on the beach is my happy place and it's something I've always wanted to do. Having my swimwear stocked in my favourite departments stores is my goal."
As part of one of my university assignments I had the pleasure of interviewing her.
What inspired you to pursue a career in fashion styling?
"My mother. I grew up with parents who taught me to appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of clothing. My mother worked at Browns when she was 17 and at one stage even had her own lingerie shop. She had an amazing wardrobe and loves an accessory so my sister and I would always play dress up and raid her wardrobe. She always encouraged us to be expressive and follow our dreams. My father is Italian and as expected also loves a great suit, shirt or pair of shoes. I went to university and studied Italian and French as I was sure what I wanted to do and loved languages. I tried to find a more 'conventional' career that would interest me as my parents always made me aware that it was a difficult industry to make it in. But I finally plucked up the courage to apply for internships, got a
response the next day and never looked back."
What's your starting point when approaching a new creative/styling project?
"First of all it's about understanding the aim of the shoot and if it's trend based. Then I create a moodboard of the looks I want to shoot so I have a clear vision in my head. Shoots are 80% prep. If you know what you have to work with on the day it makes your life alot easier and makes any obstacles on the day easier to iron out."
Who or what is your inspiration behind your work?
"Growing up in the 90's and early noughties I was literally obsessed with Vogue and the Brazilian models. It was when Gisele, Ana Claudia and xxxx were the hottest girls to book. The style at the time was also very aspirational and sexy - I would analyse every inch of every page of a shoot.
Stylist Carlyne De Cerf (see iconic shoots from 80's/90's) is my idol. For me her work represents what fashion is about. It's fun, fearless, unapologetic and celebrates women and their bodies."
What do you enjoy the most about being a stylist?
"I get to touch pieces of clothing and see them before they go on sale in shops. It's such a privilege. I've also met so many wonderful people. Every shoot is always so different with new teams. I also get to meet so many wonderful new designers and see their brands grow. Working at Grazia and editing the fashion charts - a page that had a real impact on sales - was wonderful - knowing that you could help a new designer launch or grow their brand."
Out of the projects you've worked on, which are you most proud of?
"Styling main fashion shoots for me is my biggest achievement. As an intern it was just a dream so when it happened it didn't seem real. Being able to shoot looks from the biggest designers in the world is such a privilege."
Tell me something on your bucketlist.
"To work for Vogue Nippon or UK."
Are there any designers or brands that you would like to collaborate with in the future?
"I'm currently designing my own swimwear line. I launched my own luxury online swimwear boutique 4 years ago and obsessed with bikinis. Being on the beach is my happy place and it's something I've always wanted to do. Having my swimwear stocked in my favourite departments stores is my goal."
What advice would you give to current university fashion students wishing to pursue a career in any area of the fashion industry?
"The industry is tough. Jobs are far and few between so you need to stand out by showing how hard you work. Your dedication and passion for the job will shine through.
Prepare to get your hands dirty. Despite the many films and TV shows about working in fashion that portray it to be uber glamorous you will spend half your time carting around suitcases and bags and steaming clothes. But I did it and I loved it."
Lily Russo is a freelance fashion stylist and Co-Founder of the luxury online swimwear shop Beachflamingo.com. She worked as Grazia UK's Fashion Editor for 8 years but left that role to pursue her freelancing career. Her specialised areas for freelance fashion editor commissions include main fashion, celebrity styling, look book styling, brand consultancy and trend prediction and reports.
As part of one of my university assignments I had the pleasure of interviewing her.
What inspired you to pursue a career in fashion styling?
"My mother. I grew up with parents who taught me to appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of clothing. My mother worked at Browns when she was 17 and at one stage even had her own lingerie shop. She had an amazing wardrobe and loves an accessory so my sister and I would always play dress up and raid her wardrobe. She always encouraged us to be expressive and follow our dreams. My father is Italian and as expected also loves a great suit, shirt or pair of shoes. I went to university and studied Italian and French as I was sure what I wanted to do and loved languages. I tried to find a more 'conventional' career that would interest me as my parents always made me aware that it was a difficult industry to make it in. But I finally plucked up the courage to apply for internships, got a
response the next day and never looked back."
What's your starting point when approaching a new creative/styling project?
"First of all it's about understanding the aim of the shoot and if it's trend based. Then I create a moodboard of the looks I want to shoot so I have a clear vision in my head. Shoots are 80% prep. If you know what you have to work with on the day it makes your life alot easier and makes any obstacles on the day easier to iron out."
Who or what is your inspiration behind your work?
"Growing up in the 90's and early noughties I was literally obsessed with Vogue and the Brazilian models. It was when Gisele, Ana Claudia and xxxx were the hottest girls to book. The style at the time was also very aspirational and sexy - I would analyse every inch of every page of a shoot.
Stylist Carlyne De Cerf (see iconic shoots from 80's/90's) is my idol. For me her work represents what fashion is about. It's fun, fearless, unapologetic and celebrates women and their bodies."
What do you enjoy the most about being a stylist?
"I get to touch pieces of clothing and see them before they go on sale in shops. It's such a privilege. I've also met so many wonderful people. Every shoot is always so different with new teams. I also get to meet so many wonderful new designers and see their brands grow. Working at Grazia and editing the fashion charts - a page that had a real impact on sales - was wonderful - knowing that you could help a new designer launch or grow their brand."
Out of the projects you've worked on, which are you most proud of?
"Styling main fashion shoots for me is my biggest achievement. As an intern it was just a dream so when it happened it didn't seem real. Being able to shoot looks from the biggest designers in the world is such a privilege."
Tell me something on your bucketlist.
"To work for Vogue Nippon or UK."
Are there any designers or brands that you would like to collaborate with in the future?
"I'm currently designing my own swimwear line. I launched my own luxury online swimwear boutique 4 years ago and obsessed with bikinis. Being on the beach is my happy place and it's something I've always wanted to do. Having my swimwear stocked in my favourite departments stores is my goal."
As part of one of my university assignments I had the pleasure of interviewing her.
What inspired you to pursue a career in fashion styling?
"My mother. I grew up with parents who taught me to appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of clothing. My mother worked at Browns when she was 17 and at one stage even had her own lingerie shop. She had an amazing wardrobe and loves an accessory so my sister and I would always play dress up and raid her wardrobe. She always encouraged us to be expressive and follow our dreams. My father is Italian and as expected also loves a great suit, shirt or pair of shoes. I went to university and studied Italian and French as I was sure what I wanted to do and loved languages. I tried to find a more 'conventional' career that would interest me as my parents always made me aware that it was a difficult industry to make it in. But I finally plucked up the courage to apply for internships, got a
response the next day and never looked back."
What's your starting point when approaching a new creative/styling project?
"First of all it's about understanding the aim of the shoot and if it's trend based. Then I create a moodboard of the looks I want to shoot so I have a clear vision in my head. Shoots are 80% prep. If you know what you have to work with on the day it makes your life alot easier and makes any obstacles on the day easier to iron out."
Who or what is your inspiration behind your work?
"Growing up in the 90's and early noughties I was literally obsessed with Vogue and the Brazilian models. It was when Gisele, Ana Claudia and xxxx were the hottest girls to book. The style at the time was also very aspirational and sexy - I would analyse every inch of every page of a shoot.
Stylist Carlyne De Cerf (see iconic shoots from 80's/90's) is my idol. For me her work represents what fashion is about. It's fun, fearless, unapologetic and celebrates women and their bodies."
What do you enjoy the most about being a stylist?
"I get to touch pieces of clothing and see them before they go on sale in shops. It's such a privilege. I've also met so many wonderful people. Every shoot is always so different with new teams. I also get to meet so many wonderful new designers and see their brands grow. Working at Grazia and editing the fashion charts - a page that had a real impact on sales - was wonderful - knowing that you could help a new designer launch or grow their brand."
Out of the projects you've worked on, which are you most proud of?
"Styling main fashion shoots for me is my biggest achievement. As an intern it was just a dream so when it happened it didn't seem real. Being able to shoot looks from the biggest designers in the world is such a privilege."
Tell me something on your bucketlist.
"To work for Vogue Nippon or UK."
Are there any designers or brands that you would like to collaborate with in the future?
"I'm currently designing my own swimwear line. I launched my own luxury online swimwear boutique 4 years ago and obsessed with bikinis. Being on the beach is my happy place and it's something I've always wanted to do. Having my swimwear stocked in my favourite departments stores is my goal."
What advice would you give to current university fashion students wishing to pursue a career in any area of the fashion industry?
"The industry is tough. Jobs are far and few between so you need to stand out by showing how hard you work. Your dedication and passion for the job will shine through.
Prepare to get your hands dirty. Despite the many films and TV shows about working in fashion that portray it to be uber glamorous you will spend half your time carting around suitcases and bags and steaming clothes. But I did it and I loved it."
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