Young, New York City based stylist, Emily DeSimone is no rookie when it comes to clothes and hair. Oldest of her sisters, she always loved trying new looks and hair do’s on her sisters, unawarely making them into her life-size barbie dolls. Earlier, this summer she stopped by and chatted with MEFeater  about Fashion and explained to us why styling is her very own art form.

Gabrielle Amani: Where are you from?

Emily DeSimone: I’m originally from Camden, New Jersey…Right out side of Philadelphia.

Gabrielle Amani: When did you decide that you wanted to be a stylist?

Emily DeSimone:  In college, I studied costume makeup design and styled for films, but it  probably wasn’t until  I officially moved to New York City that I realized I really love doing it.

Gabrielle Amani: Does New York City inspire your work?

Emily Desimone: Most Definitely! There are so many different stories and ideas here and every part of the city feels like a different world.

GabrielleAmani: Since it’s summer and nice outside, what is your favorite area of New York City to shoot?

Emily DeSimone: There’s so many good spots! I love Dumbo, it’s such a nice area. I have to say, I also like up by where I live in Washington Heights. It’s amazing because you could be in a park and on the street.

Gabrielle Amani: Out of your body of work, what is the favorite editorial you shot so far?

Emily DeSimone: I honestly have to say, it’s the one I just shot this weekend. (see below) We had four looks in four different locations. We actually shot this model twice before. She’s amazing! It was awesome, I actually have to go meet up with my friend and select the best shots.

Gabrielle Amani: What was the concept behind this shoot?

Emily DeSimone: The concept was reckless abandonment, runaways. She’s very much in the city, but also displaced.

Gabrielle Amani: Earlier you spoke about your team, is it hard working with others?

Emily DeSimone: I definitely worked with difficult people before, but I really have found a team I love working with. We save our best ideas for each other and we really stick together!

Gabrielle Amani: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Emily DeSimone: Oh man, that’s a lot! I guess more notoriety and making a name for myself and my brand.

Gabrielle Amani: What would you say your brand is now?

Emily DeSimone:  My brand now is who I am. I constantly say, I’m creating a story with clothes. I may not be an artist, who holds a paint brush, but I see myself as an artist. My art is my clothes.

Gabrielle Amani: For those who want to style, what would you say is the best way to get started.

Emily DeSimone: Find yourself. Start figuring out who you are and what you want to style. Don’t mold yourself into something else and REACH OUT to people. Your weakest connections are always your strongest. Social Media helps connect you to new things and people. Also intern and look for a mentor. I have a mentor and I’m  still close to my mentor today and I found her on Craigslist!

Gabrielle Amani: How has your mentor helped your growth?

Emily DeSimone: She’s a costume designer, I found her on Craigslist. She was looking for an assistant. I assisted her for one project and she  hired me to work on every project she had since. Now she lives in New Orleans, working on a film.

Gabrielle Amani: As a stylist, who’s your favorite designer?

Emily Desimone: Hands down, it’s Tom Browne. I love him. He’s very avant-garde. I love his fashion shows. If any one knows how to create a story through clothes, it’s him! I would love to spend a minute in his brain.

Gabrielle Amani: Whose ad campaigns do you say “wow, that’s a great story?”

Emily Desimone: As for ad campaigns, I follow everyone. Everyone is recreating someone’s work, but making it their own. As for the best spreads, I love Harper Bazaar, W,  and Vogue. They make the best editorials. Not so much a brand campaign, but if your looking for images that create a story, they’re the best. Studying lots of work, helps you create your own brand.

Gabrielle Amani: What trends are you looking forward to this fall?

Emily Desimone: I don’t know if I have any specific fall trends in mind, but I’m looking forward in buying a new utility coat. I  like trends but, to me trends fade. I like classic pieces or pieces that inspire me and things that constantly carry over.

Gabrielle Amani: As a stylist, do you think it’s important to follow trends or have your own aesthetic?

Emily Desimone: I think when you work with a brand, which I do following trends are really important, to keep up with consumers. But for me as a personal stylist, its more about holding on to what you love, rather what everyone is loving.

Gabrielle Amani: Any last words or advice to new stylists starting out?

Emily DeSimone: You can always contact me, I’m more than willing to help people out. I always say, so many people have helped get me to where I am today that I love molding people. I am a big sister! I can’t help it!

 

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