Lesley Brice is a Fashion stylist based in London. A graduate with a BA(Hons) degree in Fashion Promotion Lesley has worked for a range of successful companies in the Fashion industry including Vivienne Westwood. Currently she is working for Burberry and she took the time to share her style tips with us.
CH: How would you describe your style?
LB: I would say eclectic. At the moment I’m very preppy meets vintage, I love mixing vintage pieces such as a fur cape with a check shirt. I’m also into the Sloaney mum look mixed with 1960’s house-wife, so high waist skinny jeans turned up at the bottom with a blouse is a look I love. Sometimes I also like to wear 80’s pieces such as a studded leather jacket.
CH: Skint Magazine is all about style on a budget, where would you recommend our readers shop?
LB: Well I love a bargain and London is the perfect place to pick up cheap high fashion pieces, the best places are sample sales, charity shops and markets. Battersea car boot sale is full of finds and is a stylist’s best kept secret. Last time I went I managed to pick up a Marc Jacobs cardigan for a £1, a Barney’s New York chunky jumper for £2 and Chanel sunglasses for 50p. As I said sample sales are also great, if you register at fashionconfidential.co.uk the site will email you updates on the latest sales in your nearest city. Markets and charity shops are always work a look, they are defiantly my favourite places to shop.
CH: What is the first thing you look at in a person’s outfit?
LB: Shoes, always shoes. Shoes are really important they effect posture and support your weight, so I always make sure I invest in a good pair of shoes most especially if they are platform heels. Also I think that shoes show how much someone is willing to spend on their appearance.
CH: What is your must have for S/S 09?
LB: It has to be customized sunglasses, which you can buy online. Everyone has designer glasses so personal customized sunglasses are a more unique way of enhancing your style. I also love jeggings, I have a pair in every colour they defiantly are a spring/summer must have.
CH: You live in London, how would you describe London’s fashion scene?
LB: London’s fashion scene is varied. I always find that the more influential the person is in fashion the more simple and chic they dress. I think its really important to stay true to your own style, I don’t like it when people dress head to toe in brands its shows insecurity.
CH: What are you inspirations and influences for the way you dress?
LB: I am really influenced by old films such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Gone with the Wind. I love the film noir meets 1960’s look. Movies are defiantly the biggest influence on my style.
CH: Whose style do you admire?
LB: Audrey Hepburn, I love her style in every film she ever appeared in apart from My Fair Lady. If I could dress like her everyday I would.
CH: What has been your favourite campaign to work on?
LB: Each campaign has its ups and downs, depending on the stress and freebies! However my favourite shoot was for the ethical clothing brand Adili. It was based in the country in a massive bohemian mansion, it really was an amasing shoot, the location was so lush.
CH: I know you worked for Vivienne Westwood what was that like?
LB: Many extremes. Extremely stressful, extremely fun and exciting and extremely hard work! The highs were working on the shows in London and Paris, the Paris Gold Label show was amasing because I got to stay in Paris for a week for free and I met Pamela Anderson! I also got given two Vivienne Westwood coats. It was defiantly a learning curve and there were moments where I wanted to give in but at the end of the day I was working in the immensely famous Vivienne Westwood studios with my idol.
CH: What are your three favourite pieces hanging in your wardrobe?
LB: The first is my Alexander McQueen Gold Brocade, silk quilted opera coat. I bought it recently at a McQueen sample sale for £150, it would retail for over a grand and I feel so lucky to have it. I particularly love the large bow detail at the neck, as bows are one of my style traits. The second is a gold crepe pleated Betsy Johnson skirt, which I bought when I was 10. And it still fits! It’s so elegant and understated. The third is a Vivienne Westwood trench. Its chic and simple with gold buttons stamped with the Westwood orb.
CH: Where do you imagine yourself in ten years?
LB: In ten years I want to be an established stylist in London and New York. I love New York fashion, to work for brands such as DVF and Marc Jacobs would be amasing. I also want to freelance for large brands such as Burberry, who I am currently working for, and Chanel.
CH: What advice do you have for our readers who want a career in fashion?
LB: Make contacts! That is so important, it is defiantly about who you know rather than what you know in some cases. Socialise and give out business cards, get a website, work hard and get yourself out there! Another tip is to become an assistant to someone prominent in the field you want to go into because then you can learn and involve yourself in that area.
CH: Finally what is your number one style tip?
LB: Don’t shop in Topshop! No seriously don’t dress in head to toe trends. If you like something wear it, even if it’s from a fashion brand or charity shop. Mix pieces and create your own style, don’t restrict yourself. Style is a reflection of yourself so be true to what you want to wear and you will have your own unique style.
This interview was conducted by Charlotte Hoyle in June 2009, Lesley’s portfolio can be viewed at www.lesleybrice.com
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