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 ALEXIS
HONCE
FASHION STYLIST
TORONTO, CANADA
Alexis is
passionate about what she does. She lives and
breaths fashion ever since she could remember, "You can't
choose fashion, it chooses you". She quotes in our
interview. I am not always impressed with certain
individuals in this industry. Alexis is a hustler
and a hard worker. She is definitely the fashion
stylist to intern and learn from. She has teamed
up with EFM to give the Aspiring Canadian fashion
stylist the once-in-a life-time opportunity to assist
her.
Exclusively Fashion Magazine:
What made you choose a career in fashion?
Alexis Honce:
You can’t choose fashion, it chooses you.
I have loved clothing before I even knew what
fashion was. I would skip class in school to sneak into
the sewing room to whip up a new skirt idea I designed.
I love to make a statement with the way I dress and it
has translated into a career for me.
EFM:
Do you think today it is harder to become a fashion
stylist?
AH:
Yes I think that it is harder to become a successful
stylist today.
Only a few understand the demands of the
industry and provide a full range of styling
services.
The great thing is that once you have defined your
style through your work and you continue to produce
work that has your distinctive style, clients hire
you for exactly that.
You prove yourself through your work, or you
get lost in the ever-growing styling crowd.
EFM:
Are you represented by an agent, if not why?
AH:
I am not with an agency at the moment. When the time is
right I will join an agency. It is very important that
you find an agent that understands you and how you work.
The agent will be representing you and creating a
career path for you, so you must trust them 100%.
Representing myself is great. I am in full control of my
presentation to clients and I have to count on myself to
find new clients and negotiate the terms of my
contracts. It is exhilarating to run your own business
by yourself. I call it the hustle.
I love the hustle.
EFM:
What was your very first paid fashion stylist job?
AH:
My first job as a stylist was working with two
international designers that came to Toronto to show
their collections at what is now LG Fashion Week.
They came 3 days before their show date and I was
hired to take them through the production and styling
steps to get them ready to show.
Model castings, fittings, proper labeling, shoes,
accessories etc, etc.
I work on fashion shows with Monarch Events Group
throughout the year, so I love this job.
EFM:
How long have you worked as a fashion stylist?
AH:
After completing fashion studies, I designed a ready to
wear collection which sold through Three Monkeys, one of
the top boutiques for independent designers in Montreal.
I later decided to change career paths and moved
to Toronto to start my styling career.
EFM:
I think it is great that you offer aspiring fashion
stylists to assist you; how did the idea come about?
AH:
Every stylist needs assistants and I would like to give
opportunities to those interested in the field and
wanting experience.
EFM:
Why do you think it is important to assist an
established stylist?
AH:
Everyone creates his or her own career path in styling,
but if you can assist a stylist you can really see what
it takes day-to-day to get the job done.
You can make contacts and learn the secrets of
the trade.
EFM:
Who would you love to style that you haven’t?
AH:
I would love to style Kirsten Stewart. She needs a style
that is consistent.
She is one of the biggest starlets now in
Hollywood, but you would never guess it from her red
carpet choices. I would focus on the fit of the dress
more and work with the hair and makeup team to produce a
unified style.
EFM:
How do you prepare for a photo-shoot?
AH:
Research, research, research!! Then you have your meetings
with the creative directors/ art directors and
photographers to discuss the photo shoot theme and
desired outcome for the look of the images.
You have pull days where you run around to every
end of the city picking up clothing for the shoot.
In fashion, everything happens very fast, so you
have to keep organized and be ready for anything that
comes your way.
EFM:
Who are your favorite Canadian fashion designers?
AH:
Greta Constantine is one of the top Canadian fashion
designers I love. Their
designs are worn by every celeb and are featured in all
the top Canadian fashion magazines.
Lucian Matis is another genius fashion designer in
Canada. His fabric selection and silhouettes in his last
collection are to die for.
His is the name to watch on an international
level.
Denis Gagnon is another favorite. His latest collection
featured fringe dresses and pants. Very rock and roll
and wearable. I just put one of his dresses in a fashion
video I styled with Shenae Grimes and hope to put his
dresses on celebs on the red carpet in the next year.
EFM:
What advice can you give to an aspiring fashion stylist?
AH:
I would enroll in a well-known fashion program. This is
the first step to learning about fashion and its
history. It also opens the door to score that coveted
internship with the biggest names in fashion. Contact
stylists to offer assistance and intern with them on
future jobs. WORK HARD!
Interview by Rochell “E” James
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