Our Jobs Are Styles Better

Oct 5 2008

We Go Behind The Scenes With Three Fashion Experts

STYLIST

LINDSAY CAMPBELL

THE key looks featured in glossy magazines are down to Lindsay.

"You need to be a step ahead in fashion," she said. "I get to see a lot of the designer stuff before it hits the shops so I know what the key styles will be ahead of each season."

Lindsay, 24, of Edinburgh, is now based in London, where she styles fashion images in newspapers and magazines.

She said: "I organise photoshoots, getting the stock, the models, often coming up with the theme, putting the whole look together and making sure it looks good." Lindsay also styles the catwalk show at the annual Scottish Fashion Awards. She returns to Scotland every two weeks to run fashion clinics at Buchanan Galleries shopping centre in Glasgow and styling campaigns for firms such as Ortak jewellery.

She admits it can be a difficult industry to break into.

She said: "I did a degree in Fine Art then went to London College to learn styling for the media.

"But I found you have to start working for free, getting experience before you can make your name." Lindsay was a merchandising adviser for Topshop and helped style their windows all over Britain.

"It was such a fashion-forward firm and it helped me build up my knowledge and passion," she said. "I don't think there are enough jobs to base yourself primarily in Scotland but since I've moved to London I have ended up with more jobs in Scotland.

"Fashion can be a bitchy industry but I went to an all-girls' school which stood me in good stead. Just keep your head down and let your work speak for itself."

DESIGNER

GRAEME ARMOUR

GRAEME has gone from making outfits for his mum to featuring in Vogue with cutting edge designs and a string of awards.

He was crowned king of the young designers at the Scottish Fashion Award earlier this year.

"I left school at 16 and studied at Cardonald College before helping a stylist at a newspaper for a year," said Graeme, 27, of Glasgow.

He moved to London after being accepted at the prestigious St Martin's College of Fashion, which trained famous designers such as Stella McCartney and John Galliano.

"I did a work placement with Galliano while studying," said Graeme, who graduated in 2006, the same year as Christopher Kane, another leading Scottish designer.

Graeme was offered a job designing with Calvin Klein but declined to compete in last year's Fashion Fringe, a talent show judged by luminaries such as Tom Ford and Christopher Bailey.

"I didn't win but I'm glad because I don't think I was ready though it gave me great exposure and experience," adds Graeme.

He went on to collaborate with Scottish Textiles and continues to work with luxury fabrics such as cashmere and pure wool, producing pieces that sell for more than £1000.

Earlier this year Graeme was named Young Designer of the Year the Scottish Fashion Awards.

"Now I'm working on my debut show in London next year which will be hugely important for me.

"I would say to budding designers, stick at it and take the rough with the smooth. Networking is important and there is funding to be had for designers."

PHOTOGRAPHER

STEPHEN KEARNEY

AFTER working as a commercial photographer, Stephen began to specialise in fashion two years ago.

"I've always loved fashion and thought the time had come to concentrate on it," he said.

Stephen, 41, of Glasgow, has shot several advertising campaigns this year as well as various fashion shoots for magazines and Sunday supplements.

Now he has a London-based agent and expects to travel further afield for work.

He said: "It is notoriously hard for Scottish-based photographers to get a London agent so I've been lucky. London is the gateway to the world for the fashion industry.

"Fashion photography is ridiculously hard to break into because it's what every photographer wants to do.

"My main advice is to keep shooting loads and build up a good body of work.

"Don't expect it to come quickly.

It might take years of test shoots developing your eye and understanding lighting.

"Be influenced but never copy and get your own style. "

Stephen is not just selling the clothes but creating a lifestyle.

He said: "I have used models from all over the world and always work with great stylists.

"I love interesting locations that bring the model out and I like to create a stand-alone beautiful image I would want to frame and put on the wall."