Photographer Paul Adshead
Photographer James Nader
Photographer Ian McManus
Photographer James Nader
Did you enjoy working on The X Factor?
What are your top fashion musthaves?
The X Factor was amazing - so much goes into a huge production like that and it was interesting to see behind the scenes.
Everyone should own a really well cut pair of jeans and a blazer that can be worn in so many situations with simple changes.
What are the best and worst points of your job?
What should we avoid?
I love the creativity of the job and getting to see an idea come to life when you’re shooting. I love all the clothes I get to shoot and all the people I get to work with. The worst points are definitely the long hours and shooting in crazy, cold locations for 16 hours at a time. Definitely not all glamour!
Are you an avid fashion follower yourself?
Steven Spencer
How did you get into fashion styling? I started out as a personal stylist and started testing with various photographers. Everything else has been quite organic and my client list has grown each year through recommendations and requests.
Did you always want to work in fashion? I’ve always been interested in fashion, but being from a small town I didn’t even know jobs like mine existed. Things have moved on a lot since then.
What has been your favourite assignment so far? It’s too hard to pick a favourite. I love the variety of my job - it keeps it exciting. It’s nice to see the faces of my personal styling clients once they’ve had their transformation and it’s also amazing to do some cool fashion shoots with gorgeous models.
I love fashion, I always have. The shows are amazing and they give you a chance to see a full spectrum of fashion, from new designers to more established brands. Now they’re accessible to everyone through the internet.
Who is your favourite designer? There are so many, it all depends what you're looking for. My personal favourites are Acne, Christopher Kane, Gareth Pugh and Burberry. All amazing designers but quite different in what they do. I always love Victoria Beckham’s collections and Erdem prints. Miu Miu is another all time favourite.
And your favourite high street brand? The high street is amazing now but I’m not a fan of throwaway fashion. Classic staples that you can build upon are much better in the long run. Zara do this really well.
It’s hard to generalise but be careful what trends you choose to follow and how you adapt them to your wardrobe.
Any top tips we can take on our next shopping trip? Try things on and don’t be too concerned about the size you buy as long as it fits well. Many stores do vanity sizing, so you may be an 8 in one shop and a size 12 in another.
What advice would you give to anyone hoping for a career in the fashion industry? Work hard and be patient! The fashion industry is tough and not all glitz and glamour so be prepared. And wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be on your feet a lot… obviously they still have to be fabulous, comfortable shoes.
What are your ambitions for the future? To be successful at doing what I love. Steven offers a variety of private styling services, including personal shopping trips, wardrobe makeovers and pamper parties. For full information please visit www.StevenSpencerStyling.com and www.effortlessimage.co.uk. Follow Steven on Twitter @NorthernStylist.
Ruth Meredith www.rochdalestyle.com
37