We met Brandy back in 2010 when she attended all three (this was before we had all of new classes we have today) of our School of Style classes. Brandy came all the way from Texas to learn from us and we are glad that she did.  Brandy stood out to us then and she certainly stands out today as one of our top graduate success stories.

The last time we got an update with Brandy was in July of 2011. Back then she was already kicking some major butt in the fashion industry. She had styled a Grammy award winning artist for Elle magazine, created and produced how-to styling videos for Tyra Bank’s TypeF.com, and much more.

Today, Brandy has completely blown us away with her latest update! She has just been signed to the Next agency as as stylist in New York City!!! We couldn’t be prouder.

To read our very first interview with Brandy, click here.

A few months back, Luke Storey styled the Onitsuka Tiger™ ad campaign for Asics shoes. The campaign involved lots of socks, rolled up pants, and of course – great shoes. The campaign was shot at our home away from home – Smashbox Studios. Check out the behind the scenes shots …

Asics

Goofy around between shots

The view from the monitor

The set

Chillin’ on colorful carpets and fake grass

On set at Smashbox Studios

A bar for balance

Leopard and red- never a bad combo

Lots of socks!

Prepping the set

Happy Monday! It’s time for another Stylist Spotlight. Today we are interviewing stylist Simone Harouche. Simone is a big time stylist, she was named one of the top 25 stylists by the Hollywood Reporter. Yep, kinda a big deal, which makes us extra happy that she took a few minutes out of her busy schedule to talk to us. Simone styles some of Hollywood’s and music’s biggest stars. She is the stylist to Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus, Nicole Richie, and Ashley Tisdale (but don’t even begin to think that the list ends there).

In this interview, Simone dishes on what inspires her, what she looks for in an assistant stylist, and what she is up to today. Just keep reading to find out all of that and much more.

School of Style: What made you want to become a stylist?

Simone Harouche: I love fashion. Its in my blood. My dad, and sister are both in the fashion industry. It was only a matter of time till I found my own niche in fashion.

How long have you been styling?

7 years.

Who are some of the artists that you have worked with?

Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Richie, Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus, Ashley Tisdale, Demi Lovato, Kim Kardashian, Avril Lavigne, Good Charlotte,Panic at the Disco, and Nicole Scherzinger.

Who have been some of your favorite directors/photographers to work with?

Ellen Von Unwerth, Mert & Marcus, Mathew Rolston, and Rankin.

How did you get your start as a stylist?

To make a long story short, I knew Christina Aguilera socially and she liked my style. She would always ask me to do little things for her- but I was scared because I was still assisting and didn’t think I could do a huge pop star all on my own. But she was very persisitent and kept asking me to do little jobs, and then she asked me to help with Album packaging for “Back to Basics” which was gonna be shot by Ellen Von Unwerth!!! I was so scared, but I couldn’t say no. it was an amazing opportunity!

How long did you work as an assistant?

2 years

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

All over… from movies, to music, to history, and always from travelling. Travelling really gets my creativity flowing!

What was your most memorable experience as a stylist?

Working with the Rolling Stones!!!

What is your favorite aspect of the job?

I love that in styling you can really let your imagination run wild. You can create imaginary worlds where anything is possible.

What was your most disastrous experience as a stylist?

I plead the fifth.

What is you least favorite aspect of the job?

Schlepping all the garment bags! People don’t realize how much stuff you have to lug around. Its crazy.

What is your greatest (styling) accomplishment so far?

Being named one of the top 25 stylists in Hollywood by the Hollywood Reporter! That was really gratifying for me.

Do you have a signature style?

I would say my signature style is bohemian with a little bit of rock and roll.

What is your favorite piece in your closet right now?

My Balenciaga black leather motorcycle jacket.

What trends do you love right now?

I love all the bright colors that are happening in fashion. Nothing helps an outfit like a bright pop of color in a shoe, handbag or accessory!

Any trends that you are completely over?

Feather hair pieces.

Name your favorite shopping destinations?

Tokyo and Paris!

What qualities do you look for in an assistant stylist or an intern?

To be a great assistant / or intern, you have to be super eager and willing to put in extra hours. You also have to be super organized.

What are your worst assistant pet peeves?

Assistants that talk over you, or think they know more than you do. Your job as an assistant is to be listen and learn by watching.

What’s your best advice for someone looking to get into wardrobe styling?

Intern, intern, intern! Don’t be afraid to work for free to get some experience and face time with a stylist. I had to do it, we all did. And if you are good, your boss will notice and snatch you up fast!

Where can we see your work?

Right here on Margret Maldonado.

We showed you the behind the scenes shots from the Levin Rambin shoot for Fault magazine, now we are ready to show you the cover …

And the pics from inside the magazine …

Pretty sweet, huh!

All photography by Miguel Starcevich

If you are wondering how School of Style graduate, Jill Pineda went from taking our class to making accessories for Kim Kardashian … then you came to right place.

Jill started off as a regular old School of Style student who took our direction, had talent, and most importantly had the drive to make it as a stylist. Jill interned for us during Class 3. She was smart, skillful, and easy to get along with. To thank her for interning for us, we helped her by hooking her up with Kim Karashian’s stylist, Monica Rose. Monica needed a smart intern who could jump right in and get the job done. We immediately thought of Jill.

We interviewed Jill a few months ago but she has been so busy working (styling and designing her own line of bow ties) that we had to play catch up with her again. Check it out and please take a look at her cute bow tie video below too!!

School of Style: Have you been able to find work since graduating from School of Style?
Jill Pineda: Yes, I’ve completed a 6 month intensive apprenticeship with one of Hollywood’s top stylist, Monica Rose and it was fantastic! I was able to assist her and her team in numerous fittings, shoots, show fittings, red carpet and other styling related events. I’ve learned so many things and met a lot of amazing people! I am now officially a paid assistant and have been working on high profile gigs. I’ve also discovered that I have a passion for design and started my own line of bow ties and accessories.

What have you worked on?
I’ve worked on high profile shoots, shows and red carpet events which for most, the details I cannot disclose. I’m so excited to share that I’ve also recently started designing and making my own line of bow ties and accessories! They can be seen at www.jillpineda.com

Who have you assisted?
I have assisted Monica Rose & Rebecca Jefferson on a regular basis.

Did any of these jobs come your way via SOS referral?
Yes and I’m so grateful to be recommended by the School Of Style! You guys are amazing!

If you need a good laugh, great information, and some spot-on advice for aspiring stylists … then you came to the right place! Today we are interviewing stylist Leslie Lessin, who is an insanely talented stylist. Leslie works regularly with Terry Richardson and has styled some serious A-listers. We’d hate to give all the information away in this little intro, so please keep reading because you all are really going to love this interview.

PS- Leslie hires School of Style grads as interns and assistants to work with her on shoots!!

School of Style: What made you want to become a stylist?

Leslie Lessin: I needed a way to to amass the exorbitant funds necessary to never move my forehead again.

How long have you been styling?

15 years

Who are some of the artists that you have worked with?

I don’t do celebs so much for the red carpet . But I do for magazines. I have worked with Cate Blanchett, Barbara Streisand, Nicholas Cage, Javier Bardem, Rick Ross, Kings of Leon, Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Rene Zellweger, Mariah Carey, Evan Rachel Woods, Ashley Green, Mickey Rourke, Justin Bieber, the cast of Gossip Girls, Lance Armstrong, Kerri Rusell, Yoko Ono, Jessica Alba, Claire Danes, Anna Paquin, Debbie Harry, Paris Hilton, Michael Pitt, Adrien Brody, Helen Miren and this other guy one time, I made him look real nice.

Who have been some of your favorite directors/photographers to work with?

I love Terry Richardson so hard! He is one of my most favoritest people on the planet. He is a creative, artistic genious he literally never ever runs out of fresh amazing
ideas. He is a modern master. I am blessed to be one of the people who gets to work with him. Ryan Mcginley is magic. His pictures give me chills , so does he.

How did you get your start as a stylist?

It was either this or clown college.

How long did you work as an assistant?

I had been in the industry working in PR and in show production for quite awhile. So when I assisted I found I knew much more then my boss about many aspects of the industry . So i didn’t assist for long. I was the worst assistant ever!

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I love the street. I am inspired by everything I grew up with in Los Angeles back in the punk scene, and the skater boys I had crushes on growing up, to the high end inspiration of Paris, Milan and London runways. I love seeing what is happening on the street level and mixing what is happening I the runways .

What was your most memorable experience as a stylist?

Pirelli Calendar shooting in Brazil with Terry Richardson,and Levi’s campaigns in Puerto Rico with Ryan Mcginley. Doesn’t get any better then that. I’m the luckiest gal in the world.

What is your favorite aspect of the job?

The occasional glimpse of hot tushy.

What was your most disastrous experience as a stylist?

I can’t tell you but it rhymes with Tiarrhea

What is you least favorite aspect of the job?

Literally 24 hour work days! No joke, it happens to me at least a few times a month. Its an ass kicker.

What is your greatest styling accomplishment so far?

Reducing a crotch bunch.

Do you have a signature style?

Yes I do.

What is your favorite piece in your closet right now?

A vintage black Chanel boucle dress that I scored vintage!

What trends do you love right now?

72 day marriages

Any trends that you are completely over?

Anything studded.

Name your favorite shopping destinations?

If boutique in New York, Opening Ceremony LA and NYC, Colette in Paris …

What qualities do you look for in an assistant stylist or an intern?

Organization is the most important, psycho attention to detail, stamina for 24 hour shifts. If someone thinks this is a 9 to 5 they are mistaken!
Not gossiping about peoples business is important. I watch how assistants talk about their past employers and then I know how they will talk about me!

What are your worst assistant pet peeves?

Being negative, tardiness, speaking poorly about other people , not knowing appropriate behavior towards clients , eyes to close together.

What’s your best advice for someone looking to get into wardrobe styling?

Intern, intern, intern!!! It’s more important then a degree in fashion! I would rather hire someone who interned for a year then someone who just graduated. I interned for a year at a fashion house that’s how I got my start. I was hired from my internship. I have hired many of my interns.

Where can we see your work? 

Brydgesmackinney.com

After about a zillion and half requests- we’ve finally launched our newest class, Personal Styling 101. In this class we teach students how to jump start their career in personal styling. Check it out …

Lauren Messiah, a Los Angeles based personal stylist, has developed a course at School of Style for aspiring personal stylists. If you live in a city where a career in high fashion or celebrity styling isn’t available to you, or your passion is to help people by developing their personal style – then perhaps a career in personal styling is for you.

During this one-day course, Lauren will provide you with the tools you need to start your own personal styling business. This class is the perfect introduction to the career and covers the following topics in great detail:

• An introduction to a career in personal styling
• How to start a personal styling business
• How to market yourself as a personal stylist
• Learn to conduct a client consultation
• Shopping and styling a variety of clientele
• Policies, paperwork, and billing as a personal stylist
• Sample forms needed to run a styling business
• Getting started as a personal stylist
• Guidelines to continued success after competition of this course
• And much, much more …

A workbook, water, and light refreshments will be provided to each student. Lunch is not provided, however there will be a one-hour break where students can leave for lunch.

About the instructor- Lauren Messiah is a stylist in Los Angeles who’s specialty is personal styling. Lauren is the stylist to Hollywood’s top entertainment executives from FOX, CBS, Nickelodeon, United Talent Agency, Lifetime, and HBO.

Register today, as spaces are extremely limited.

We have this great little section in our first class called “How to Get Fired”. It’s probably our favorite part of class. We basically tell our students common mistakes that assistant stylists make that result in them getting canned. Sometimes our students don’t believe us during this section. We get a lot of  this … “You get can get fired for that, really?” Our answer is, yes you really can and today we have back up from some of the top stylists in the business.

Check it out …

“Coming in super hung-over and talking too much”- Carol Beadle

“Those with a sense of entitlement, otherwise know as “lazy” – Haidee Findlay-Levin

“Asking me something more than twice and not writing it down the first time.”- Lori Messerschmitt

“Laziness and someone who says “like” a lot.”- Negar Ali

“Giving any opinions on the clothing during a fitting (when I have not asked) in front of my client. Hearing they were rude to anyone while working for me. Not getting something I sent them to get and not telling me about it in time for it to get fixed.”- Daria Hines

“My worst pet peeve in an assistant is when an assistant’s is not honest with me, is tardy, has excuses for everything, and complains a lot. I cannot deal!”- Monica Rose

“Having bad personal timing and not taking direction.”- B Akerlund

“Laziness. Lateness. Excuses.”- Jess Zaino

Some of these aren’t even on our list! Sounds like we’d better get to adjusting our curriculum. If you want the full list of ways to keep yourself employed once you get that huge assistant stylist gig, you’d better register for our next Class 1.