Last month we styled a shoot for Flaunt magazine, featuring MCM handbags. The shoot was a lot of work but the whole experience was really cool. There were 12 different looks with 12 different locations to match. Intense. BUT we did get to cruise around in a really cool motor home for two days.

Here are some of the behind the scenes pictures. More to come, so stay tuned …

Shooting outside of Mann’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood

Luke Storey outside of Mann’s

SOS grad/intern, Abi and Lauren Messiah

Luke pumping some iron at the gym

Male model

Luke adding some finishing touches to the model

Model, looking great in gold

At an incredible house in the Hollywood hills

Ever wonder ‘What are the School Of Style grads are up to? Are they out there living their dream and working as wardrobe stylists?’ Well, we wonder that all the time so we try to keep in touch with our grads to find out what they are up to.

Today we are interviewing School Of Style graduate, Danielle Stein. Danielle took our first class WAY back in 2008.  Since completing School Of Style, Danielle has been working her little tail off.  She has worked on music videos, editorials, look books and has even done shoots for an awesome designer handbag company!

Awe … Our students make us so proud :)

Keep reading to learn more about Danielle Stein the stylist and what she is up to these days.

School Of Style: Tell us a little bit about yourself?

Danielle Stein: Well my name is Danielle Bianca, born and raised in Orange County, school was not my thing at all! and fashion is what I love, so I decided to go the Fashion Institute after high school and graduated from there in 2008 and wanted to take on the industry like non other. I took every opportunity, internship, unpaid gig to get myself out there and now I have a buying service, buying clothes for clients internationally and out of state, and I am also a Stylist just enjoying every bit of it!

SOS: Did you have experience in the fashion industry before attending School Of Style?

DS: Yeah I did, I have been working in the fashion industry since I was 17 and decided to go to FIDM to further my interests and knowledge about fashion.

SOS: When did you know you wanted to become a wardrobe stylist?

DS: I have always loved dressing up my friends and myself in funky cool clothes, so since I was little I always knew I’d get into something like Styling. It wasn’t until I went to FIDM that I knew I wanted this is to be my career and is my passion.

SOS: When did you graduate from School Of Style?

DS: I graduated from school of style I think in the summer of 2008.

SOS: Which classes did you take?
DS: I took the first day 10 hour class (which is amazing) and the actual shoot day class. I worked on an amazing editorial spread with Luke.

SOS: What was the most valuable thing you learned at School Of Style?
DS: To be your own person, have your own style and establish yourself.

SOS: What was the most shocking thing you learned?
DS: Since I had experience styling a little bit before taking school of style I don’t think any thing really shocked me. I just learned a heck of a lot more :)

SOS: Have you been able to find work since graduating from School Of Style?
DS: Yes I have! I networked a lot since graduating from school of style and have worked on music videos, editorials, look books and done shoots for a designer handbag company called Cleobella! Check them out! to die for bags!

SOS: Describe your ”style” as a stylist:
DS: I am very edgy, rock n roll, glam, but at the same time I’m obsessed with bohemian chic and the hipster/hippie look.

SOS: Is that different than your personal style? If so, describe your personal style:
DS: It’s funny you ask that, because my personal style is pretty similar to my “stylist” style. I have two completely different looks. I either wear edgy black, rocker stuff-with studs, zippers and chains or I wear my denim cut offs with a floral shirt and hippie headband, or my zebra leggings with something weird!

SOS: Who is your dream client?
DS: My dream client would definitely be Nichole Richie or Mary-Kate Olsen. They both have that versatile style like myself. Edgy Rocker or Hippie and Bright.

SOS: Who are your favorite designers?
DS: My favorite designers are: Marc Jacobs he is a fashion genius, YSL, and Heatherette they haven’t be around for too long but they are just so fun and wild I love it!! for Shoes definitely Christian Louboutin- every pair they make I die over! their heals and their flats are just insane!

SOS: Favorite trends?
DS: Favorite trends, SKINNY Jeans! who doesnt wear them? they make you look awesome! Crop tee’s how amazing is it that midriffs are back in action? who woulda thought? skinny jeans and crop t’s make for a perfect outfit. Throw on a pair of heals and a rad chunky necklace and your totally set for a hot night out!

SOS: Trends you wish would die?
DS: That’s a hard because a lot of things I say I hate then they come back with the same thing just re-vamped and much cuter! but those sandals with that ugly short half wedge wood heal in the back thats a hideous trend!

SOS: What are your favorite places to shop?
DS: I love love LF, Urban Outfitters, Metropark, and boutique stores like in (Laguna, San Clemente, LA)
I’m a Loehmans girl! gotta love designer stuff for cheap.

SOS: Any tips you would like to share with other stylists who are just starting out?
DS: Take any and every job you get, paid or unpaid. You can network where ever you go and have to start somewhere so get your feet wet :) Network, network, network. You never know where you will meet someone important or who has contacts, you might be at the right place at the right time!!

We had another fantastic Class 2 last week. We drove all around town and had a really nice day. Some of our more memorable stops included the Cooper Building, Confederacy, and Dietch PR.

Cooper Building Basement

David Dietch at Dietch PR

Jewelry at Dietch PR

Sweet looking dress at Dietch PR

Syreeeta and Chelsea at Confederacy

Window at Confederacy

Art at Confederacy

Jeremy Scott shoes at Peoples Revolution

Phillip Lim store

Class 2: Shopping/Prep is held 2-3 times per month, and is generally held on Wednesdays or Thursdays. Dates for Class 2 are chosen based on Luke’s availability, and are announced to registered students via email, during the week prior to the upcoming date. So if you are interested in learning how to shop like a stylist, register now>

The other day we were thinking, “wonder what our grads are up to?” Some of them keep in touch with us, some of them even intern for us, but many of them drift off into mystery land. That got us thinking that maybe we should just ask them to find out.

With all that being said, we are excited to introduce a brand new column to the SOS blog, Graduate Interviews!

Our first interview is with Jennifer Margolin. Jennifer Margolin graduated from SOS about 5 months ago and in that 5 months she has proven herself to be a killer intern, and a very talented key stylist.

We played Q&A with Jennifer to find out what inspires her, what she is up to these days, who her dream client would be, and much more …

School Of Style: Tell us a little bit about yourself?

Jennifer Margolin: I have always loved fashion. At an early age, when I was in elementary school, I remember convincing my mom to buy me Vogue and I would try to recreate the looks with my clothes. I have always loved playing with fabrics and color. I can’t seem to get enough shoes and handbags and devour my fashion publications as soon as I get them!

SOS: Did you have experience in the fashion industry before attending School Of Style?

JM: While I never had any formal training besides SOS, I did own my own event planning company in San Francisco and was always designing amazing events. Playing with fabrics, lighting, flowers, etc. is similar to styling clothes. Either you have an eye for it or you don’t. I have always stayed up to date with the latest looks/trends/runways shows as soon they would come out.

SOS: When did you know you wanted to become a wardrobe stylist?

JM: I’ve always loved clothes and fashion. I’ve dressed friends, friends of friends and brides for the past few years. People email me all the time asking where to find a certain item of clothing, what would look good with something etc. I decided I should just follow my dream and do what I love and am good at. Last year I started writing my blog after my daughter was born and it somehow pushed me to become a stylist.

SOS: When did you graduate from School Of Style?

JM: 4-5 months ago

SOS: Which classes did you take?

JM: All 3. I was in the first day 3 photo shoot instead of helping out on a job.

SOS: What was the most valuable thing you learned at School Of Style?

JM: To follow your dreams and just get out there and meet everyone you can.

SOS: What was the most shocking thing you learned?

JM: Other stylists are upset at Luke for being so upfront.

SOS: Have you been able to find work since graduating from School Of Style?

JM: I have done a number of photo shoots with some amazing professionals. In addition, I have obtained some private clients that I have done wardrobe overhaul, personal shopping etc.

SOS: Describe your ”style” as a stylist:

JM: I define each client’s personality, and style each individual by incorporating trends into their current wardrobe as well as adding new looks. I believe that everyone should have a great basic wardrobe that is a bit more expensive then what you would spend on trendy items and add pieces from there. I listen to my clients and see what they are comfortable in and then push them to think outside their comfort level a bit without losing them in the process.

SOS: Is that different than your personal style? If so, describe your personal style:

JM: My personal style, is classic with a lot of black. I’m never afraid to try new things but make sure I always feel comfortable. I love dressing up and usually am over dressed when I go out but it makes me feel good.

SOS: Who is your dream client?

JM: I would love to style Emily Blunt, Reese Witherspoon or Sarah Jessica Parker. Also, the busy executive or mom that wants to be stylish in everything she does.

SOS: Who are your favorite designers?

JM: Chanel, Balmain, Balenciaga, Alexander Wang, Rick Owens, Erin Fetherston, Lanvin.

SOS: Favorite trends?

JM: Loving the miliatary trend lately. also love big, chunky jewelry over comfy shirts from A. Wang and R. Owens.
thigh-high boots

SOS: Trends you wish would die?

JM: Low-rise jeans, tired of seeing everyone’s backside!

SOS: What are your favorite places to shop?

JM: Barney’s, Diavolina, Net-a-Porter, Gilt.com, Maxfield’s

SOS: Any tips you would like to share with other stylists who are just starting out?

JM: Believe you can do it and meet as many people you can. Always be on time!

Big thanks to Jennifer for helping us kick off our Graduate Interview.

Keep up with Jennifer online:

blog: www.redsolediary.com
website: www.jennifermargolin.com
twitter: @redsolediaryjen

On Saturday the SOS team headed over to Smashbox Studios in Culver City for a photo shoot with the band Alkaline Trio. We brought along SOS student, Carolyn for her Day 3 class so she could experience what it’s like to be on set as a wardrobe stylist.

The shoot was super chill — short, sweet, and with a band that was really easy to work with.

SOS student Carloyn and Luke

As a stylist, there is a lot involved in prepping a job — meetings, emails, research, pulling clothes, getting your paperwork in order, etc. However, one of the most important tasks involved in preparing for a job is pre-styling. What is pre-styling? Pre-styling is the act of getting your hero looks together before you go on set (didn’t we sound all Webster’s Dictionary with that one?).

The SOS team had a little pre-styling party this past Friday night in preparation for a weekend full of shooting. Our pre-styling ritual involved setting up racks and racks of clothes, ordering a pizza, turning on some music, and going to town … styling town!!

Our party went well into the night (we were putting together looks until almost 2am). Sure we lost a lot of precious sleeping time but getting our looks together the night before and in a nice relaxed environment totally took the on set stress level down a notch or two (or ten).

Not sure if you all are familiar with TheLookbook.com but it’s amazing resource for stylists, in fact they are the “definitive directory for fashion PR contacts and celebrity stylists”.  If you need to know contact information for any brand/designer in the fashion industry — this is the place to find it. We couldn’t live without our subscription to the service, that’s for sure.

TheLookbook.com has now expanded from being just a fashion directory, to a place to find information on both fashion AND beauty brands. Brilliant. There are more than a thousand beauty brand PR contacts and the top hair stylists & makeup artists working in the industry.

So if you want to know who does Megan Fox’s hair & makeup?  What PR company handles Laura Mercier cosmetics?  Need to find an organic product for a story or shoot?  Product placement for a gift bag? You can search by Brand, PR Company, Celebrity, Stylist or Artist and Keyword to find the contacts you are looking for.

For more information go to TheLookbook.com

All of that time spent in your car is pretty cool, if you are prepared of course. When SOS assistant started she wasn’t fully prepared for all of this car business. We all know about the time she got towed but you probably don’t know about the time she went into full on panic mode because her beloved iPhone dwindled down to 10% battery power.  Or the fact that the 10% battery debacle almost resulted in her losing Google Maps (SOS assistant really should have had a GPS system in her car that day).

The instances above are just a few pieces of drama that could occur in your car if you aren’t prepared. School of Style wants you to be prepared at all times. So here is SOS assistant’s ‘Assistant Stylist Survival Guide: Road Edition’ for you to check out.

1.) GPS- For finding your way around town. You never know where your key stylists is going to send you and chances are you won’t know how to get there (at first). Trust us, you need one of these!

2.) Phone with email- You MUST be available at all times. ALL TIMES. So you’d better have yourself an iPhone or Blackberry or you are pretty much useless (harsh but true).

3.) A car charger for you phone- You will be using your cell phone all throughout the day. The battery will be drained by the middle of the day if you don’t keep it juiced. Get a car charger, it will be money well spent.

4.) Some good tunes- Plug in your iPod or get a hefty stack of CDs because you will want the entertainment while you are cruising the streets.

5.) Sunglasses- The last thing you want is the sun burning your eyes out while you are driving. Its distracting and its not good for you eyes. Keep a pair of shades in your car. Added bonus = you will look cool. Hehe.

6.) Healthy snacks- The worst thing about driving around all day is realizing it’s 4:00 and you haven’t had lunch yet. Don’t let the siren call of the nearest fast food chain woo you. Keep something healthy in your car for when starvation hits.

Those are just a few basic survival techniques for being a stylist on the road. Learn them. Live them. Love them.