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 HANNA
KELIFA
FASHION EDITOR & STYLIST
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
 anna
is one editor and stylist to keep an eye on. Her
recent work has been seen in W Magazine, "Behind The
Muses" featuring the iconic Fashion Designer, Donatella
and singer sensation M.I.A.
We love how her career began, with just her persistence
and a cold phone call; she is now living her dream.
Exclusively Fashion Magazine:
Can you tell me how your career as a fashion stylist
began?
Hanna Kelifa:
My career as a fashion stylist
really began once I met Edward Enninful. I phoned
i-D and got his office number, called his office and
thankfully they happened to be looking for more help and
took a chance on me. I had never really done any
assisting before him, bar assisting on one shoot for
Tank Magazine, so I literally couldn't believe my luck
when I started assisting Edward and realized that my
first ever shoot was going to be a Steven Miesel Italian
Vogue shoot in Los Angeles!
EFM: How did you know that
working in the fashion industry was something that you
wanted to pursue?
HK:
I think having worked with
Edward, on that level, with the people that he works
with, Paolo Roversi, Steven Miesel, Craig McDean,
Mario Sorrenti, they were like celebs to me and I was
absolutely in awe! I knew that this was
exactly what I wanted and although it was really
hard work it was really fun and bloody worth it.
The canalot studio days were some of the best and
physically exhausting times I've ever had.
EFM: So
far, what has been your most memorable moment?
HK:
That's quite
a hard one but shoot wise, I think the first Paolo Roversi shoot I assisted on was
a pretty big moment for
me. I have always been such a big fan and like SO
HAPPY to be going on this shoot. We were shooting Stella
Tennant in Paris, in Paolo's studio and Paolo (my idol)
was right there shooting 10x8 Polaroid's on one of his
massive wooden cameras. I mean, it was
exactly how I'd imagined it, if not even better.
EFM: Your work was recently seen
in W Magazine, "Behind The Muses"; can you tell me what
was the preparation like?
HK:
Sure, the preparation included speaking with W and
M.I.A's agent to find out what kind of accessories and
clothing MIA would be into and sourcing them. Then
on the shoot day working with MIA and Donatella to
decide what they would wear for the shoot, etc. It
was really a fun day. We had a really great team
and I'm a big Donatella Versace fan and really like
MIA's music, so I was really pleased to be asked to do
it.
EFM: You are
also i-D Magazine Fashion Editor; how long have you been
Fashion Editor of i-D?
HK:
Well, myself and Caroline
Newell (who I worked with assisting Edward) are both
Women's wear Editors at i-D and Elgar Johnson is Menswear
Editor. We have all been there for 2 years.
EFM:
'Today' do you think that it's hard to become a
fashion stylist?
HK:
Yes and no; in a way I think it's
incredibly hard and if you don't assist I feel like it's
probably near impossible. Although, that being said;
there are so many magazines now, so many blogs,
tumblers, and online magazines, so it could be relatively
easy to get published. I guess it depends on the
stylist, and in what capacity they want to work in.
EFM:
How important do you think it is to assist an
established stylist?
HK:
I think it's incredibly important, for me it gave me
such a clear understanding of how the industry works,
how to make a story, how to refine my taste and my eye,
how to research and how to work incredibly hard. I
started assisting at 21 and it was literally the best
thing I think I've done.
EFM: Describe your personal style?
HK:
I'm a little messy, a bit
disheveled, I tend to wear black (although I am trying
to now wear more colour) and I love wearing hats.
I think Amish is a very good look. Ha ha.
EFM: How would you
describe your work ethics?
HK: I'm a
grafter. I work hard and don't like giving up or
doing a bad job.
EFM: What advice can
you give to the aspiring fashion stylists?
HK: I would
say, make a list of whom you want to assist (if you do
want to, contact them, start at the bottom and
work your way up. You don't always have to know
someone, cold calling can work! You will get
there. I'd say be yourself, work hard and be nice.
Also, chill out a bit and just absorb as much as you can.
Try not to step on anyone's toes. Most importantly,
don't be in a rush, take your time and learn. It's
good to realize it will take years.
Interview by Rochell “E” James
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