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 LAURAINE
BAILEY
FASHION STYLIST
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
Lauraine
Bailey
wears a few hats in the entertainment world. Being in
the film & television industry for ten years, she has
learned plenty. Having the experience behind the scenes
knowing what it takes to succeed in this industry, she
takes on the fashion industry well-seasoned. Lauraine
has great insight and understanding on what it takes to
make beauty, fashion, and a commercial. As a fashion
stylist in film & television, she has build up clients
such as: MTV, London Film Academy, Stone Walters-The
Brits 2009, ITV, Channel 4, Celador Productions, K West
London, and ITV2-The Brits Launch Party 2009, to name a
few. With an rolodex like this she is sure to make her
imprint in the fashion industry. I had the pleasure of
asking Fashion Stylist Lauraine a few questions.
EFM: I read in your bio that you
worked in the television & film industry. How did you decide you wanted to become a fashion
stylist?
LB:
Do you know that saying ‘in the right place at the right
time’? Well that was me! I was working in an
administrative capacity on a television production and
some of the wardrobe items purchased for the show’s
presenters was not to the presenters liking. Financial
budgets are never big enough on productions, so rather
than re-hire the stylist, the team asked me if this
would be something I was interested in alongside my
coordinating role and of course, I jumped at the
opportunity! Once the production was over, I considered
that I might actually have a real talent as well as a
passion for fashion……..but I still wasn’t sure that I
could have a fashion styling career.
EFM: Where do you think your
love for fashion began?
LB:
My fathers’ parents were a very well respected husband
and wife Tailor and Seamstress team in our local
community. My grandparents’ living room housed several
sewing machines – each one did a very different job. As
a child, I used to watch my grandparents keenly. Watched
how they handled fabric, how they respected it…..yes,
they had a respect for fabric! Watched how they would
measure their clients and make chalk drawings directly
onto fabric. My mother was always very well put
together, she always mixed textures, leather, fox furs,
suede’s – she was so elegant, so classic, but yet so
very stylish and practical! I guess that’s where my love
for fashion began, but to be honest, it was all in my
subconscious, I don’t think I really fell in love with
fashion until I was in my early 20’s.
EFM: You have been in the fashion
and entertainment industry for more than 10 years. What
is your most memorable moment?
LB:
Entertainment has definitely been the industry I have
come to know and love until officially becoming a
fashion stylist in April 2006. But in all the time I
have been fashion styling and wardrobe managing, my most
memorable was working out in Bordeaux on a TV commercial
– it was October and 30 degrees, the commercial was for
a well known superstore and was about wine. We were
filming in the vineyards, being educated, getting sun
tans, and getting PAID! It really didnt feel like work!
Oh how we could do with more jobs like that one!
EFM: What is Lauraine's typical day
like?
LB:
Typical? I wished there were such a thing! All jokes
aside, my days are so very unpredictable – it would seem
that we work in a very reactive industry, therefore
sometimes, well, most of the time; everything needs to
be pulled together which much speed, whilst still trying
to remember key details. Once I’m booked for a job, I
create a mood board from the client brief ���� this can
take days and it’s a matter of collecting materials. I
then present the ideas to the client who will then
highlight the various elements that they like. I then
source the wardrobe with the key elements in mind.
Sourcing clothing is not an easy job. It comes from all
over the place! I do that with Fashion PR companies,
independent designers or sometimes purchasing a few key
items from the high street. For things I cannot find, I
make!
EFM: When did you decide that you
wanted to embark on designing clothing?
LB:
I started to design clothing around the age of 24 years
old. I did a very basic sewing course and that was the
only time that I had ever used a sewing machine was at
Secondary school (from 11-16). I was always customising
garments, de-constructing, re-constructing and adapting
– I didn’t realise it was designing! I was just trying
to find a new love for old garments.
Photographer: (portrait and
magazine editorial) Ishay Botbol -
www.ishaybotbol.com
Fashion Stylist:
Laurain Bailey -
www.laurainebaileystyling.co.uk
EFM: Which do you think inspires you
to create an image, either a photo-shoot or
design?
LB:
I am inspired by everything and anything, something and
nothing! Sometimes ideas come from the seasonal changes
– whether it is the weather or calendar events.
Sometimes they may come from a book I have read or a
film I’ve watched. I work with regular creative’s so we
are always talking about what sorts of ideas we have and
what we would like to produce for our portfolio’s – so
yes, even talking can get my mind inspired!.
EFM: Will you start producing a
collection soon, if you haven't already?
LB:
I have started to work on designs for my collection, but
I’m taking my time, as I want to produce something very
strong, wearable, but strong nonetheless! I also believe
that nothing happens before its time. It’s about making
sure all the necessary measures have been put into place
before moving forward.
EFM: Do you think by being a fashion
stylist, working with fashion designers gave you an itch
on becoming a designer?
LB:
Oh no, not at all. I was designing clothing long before
I became a stylist and always dreamed of producing a
collection. But I would definitely say that working with
designers has made me realise that I have a very strong
talent which I need to share with the world! I think
there is room for everybody and I certainly believe
there is a market for my forthcoming collections.
EFM: Where do you see yourself in
the future in this industry?
LB:
Who knows what the future holds, two years ago, I
certainly didn’t see myself where I am now! Life for me
is just one big journey with the odd unpredictable
diversion on route! I know that I would like to have my
own clothing label, one which produces a collection each
season and I would definitely like to work much more
with children and young people. I was never a very
academic child so I think it’s important that we
recognise the importance of working closely to encourage
and nurture creative talent and ability at a young age
with those who are less academic and more creative.
EFM: In your own words what does
fashion means to you?
LB:
Fashion is like one big beautiful work of art. There are
so many elements, colours, textures, shapes……..it’s
endless. With works of art, if you change the angles,
you see something different and even though the elements
are set, they look different, therefore giving you a
whole new work of art! Fashion is an extension of one’s
personality and confidence and it’s definitely a form of
expression.
Interview by Rochell “E” James
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