Co-Founder and Stylist, Georgie-Gray, on how to fulfil your dream of being an established fashion stylist with your own label
Georgie Gray is a Fashion Stylist & Co-Founder of Sustainable Fashion Tailoring Brand, Gray X Wild
Despite only being in her early twenties, Georgie has an impressive roster of clients whom she collaborates with as a freelance stylist. Spanning from e-commerce; ASOS, Burberry and Selfridges to fashion editorials; Harper’s Bazaar Kids, QP Mag and Men’s Health. Prior to co-creating her label and going freelance, Georgie assisted top stylists in Fashion, Beauty, Media and Television industries i.e. The Hollywood reporter magazine cover, Space NK campaign shoots and Gotham Magazine. Georgie discusses the essential lessons and qualities you need to become a successful stylist and the amusing backstory of how her sustainable tailoring brand started.
By Hannah Tappin
“Fashion allows people to express their individuality and originality, through mixing different styles, eras and accessories with current trends”
Hannah: So Georgie, Hannah Rose Inspired (HRI) is a digital platform which focuses on exploring the growing application of psychology; how we think, act and behave, within creative industries, particularly fashion. As a Fashion Stylist, how do you think fashion relates to our sense of self, identity & expression?
GGStyle: I think that fashion allows people to express their individuality and originality, through mixing different styles, eras and accessories with current trends.
Hannah: Recently, growing emphasis has been put on the industries ethical responsibility and sustainable practice, do you think these changes have influenced how you shop for fashion and your relationships with brands?
“Quality purchases outweigh fast fashion”
GGstyle: Absolutely, sustainable clothing is definitely the way forward. Peoples relationship with fashion has changed, quality purchases outweigh fast fashion. Clothes can have deeper meaning and longevity if we buy and think less about owning the latest or cheapest thing and develop more of a relationship with the quality of the garment.
Hannah: I’d love to know where your love of fashion came from, who were your personal style inspirations when you were growing up?
“Blake Lively in Gossip Girl was my icon, her effortless style was timeless”
GGstyle: My love of fashion started from a very young age. As an interior designer, my mum has always had great style and some of my earliest memories are from raiding her wardrobe to create outfits and play dress up. During my early teens Blake Lively in Gossip Girl was my icon, her effortless style was timeless. I also can’t wait for the new season of Gossip Girl and the new cast to see how the fashion has evolved i.e., the iconic sitting on the MET steps with a new fashion crew.
Hannah: You have described your style as ‘Vintage with a twist’ and have spoken about your love for vintage mixed with high street and designer. Where are your favourite vintage stores? What different items do you source from vintage vs high street vs designer stores?
GGstyle: The best vintage stores I have found and buy from regularly are mainly based in Notting Hill. These are a few of my favourites:
@vestairecollective (online)
I tend to look for specific items in these shops like silk scarves, handbags, @oneofakind.archive are just amazing, 70s jewellery and classic coats which is where I bought my vintage Burberry trench.
From the high street I buy my staples mainly from shops like Zara, Bershka, Mango and ASOS. I would typically buy joggers, sweatshirts, t-shirts, cami’s, leather trousers & pieces to layer with.
When it comes to designer, I prefer to spend my money on shoes, trainers and the odd classic handbag. I do source some handbags from @vestairecollective and have been fortunate enough to have access to my mums closet.
Hannah: I’d love to hear more about your GrayXWild launch, where did your idea to build your own business focused on reversible blazers and tailoring coming from?
“We were sharing a bottle of wine and Scarlet said wow could you imagine if you could reverse this jacket? We both looked at each other smiled and clinked our glasses. Three hours later we had a name, concept and I was calling every seamstress I had ever worked with or knew to explore the idea. The rest is history”
GGstyle: I love this question! This began during lockdown when my business partner Scarlet Wilder was wearing a fabulous jacket which had a great lining. We were sharing a bottle of wine and Scarlet said ‘wow could you imagine if you could reverse this jacket’, we both looked at each other smiled and clinked our glasses. Three hours later, we had a name, concept and I was calling every seamstress I had ever worked with or knew to explore the idea. The rest is history.
Hannah: Love that! Your website includes some stunning mood-boards for blazer inspiration throughout the eras; 70s through to 2020, how do you construct mood-boards when styling, what’s your process like?
GGstyle: When I’m selecting mood boards for any job, I use Pinterest I think it’s one of the most useful apps especially in the creative industry. It works a little like a spider gram, I start with colour, style, era and image and then from there it just grows. Mood boarding is a great tool to convey your ideas to your team so that you can all be on the same page.
Hannah: Couldn’t agree more! I love Pinterest & LOVE Mood boarding. What are 10 wardrobe essentials you recommend everyone purchases in order to combat spending on-fast fashion and reduce waste?
GGstyle: My top 10 would be, trench coat, leather jacket/blazer, Levi denim jacket, Levi Jeans from @cheekyonline, jogging bottoms & hoodie unbranded, t-shirts & vests @weekdayofficial, statement shirt with great cuffs, classic trainer, biker boots & lastly a timeless handbag.
And let’s not forget the GrayxWild reversible blazer, which has become the key piece in a women’s capsule wardrobe.
Hannah: Your collection is gorgeous and all the pieces are so timeless, which is your personal favourite and why?
GGstyle: Every collection is my favourite until the next one comes out! So currently I’m loving the ‘Windsor Reversible Co-Ord’ as the colour works well for me.
Hannah: What was your journey to becoming a stylist, did you have any big break through moments that helped you establish yourself?
GGstyle: My Fashion Retail Academy course enabled me to fully understand the opportunities that exist within the fashion industry. I have always had a strong interest in fashion styling so my career was an easy decision. I was advised to forgo university and instead get hands on experience.
After leaving FRA I took a job as a booking assistant for Premier Hair & Makeup. This gave me a great insight into photoshoots and how everything was run behind the scenes. I was grateful to have met and worked with some leading Hair & MUA’s such as Sam McKnight, Mary Greenwell & Lisa Eldridge. Thank you, Lindsay Cruishank for this early opportunity, after 8 months, my tea making skills were off the scale!
An office job was not really for me and I was sure I wanted to pursue styling as a career. Then I was fortunate to be introduced to Carol Hayes. She helped me in the early days, sent me out on many shoots assisting her stylists for editorial, commercial and campaigns.
This is how I met Cheryl Konteh. She has really become a huge influence on me, her work ethic, effortless style & her endless list of clients truly is my motivation. Every job with Cheryl is hugely rewarding & super fun.
“I loved working with Hilary Alexander, her knowledge, expertise, attention to detail and flamboyant character made her the best mentor I could possibly have wished for”
Next, I was fortunate enough to be put forward to be Hilary Alexander’s assistant. I worked on the Breast Cancer Care Fashion Gala. We styled 32 models who have had or have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I also worked with Hilary for three years on the ‘Clothes Show’, which was an iconic televised fashion show. I loved working with Hilary Alexander, her knowledge, expertise, attention to detail and flamboyant character made her the best mentor I could possibly have wished for. I learnt so much and met so many in the fashion industry through Hilary’s introductions, Thank you Hilary!
I then went on to have an internship with Vogue which was a dream come true, this then led me to become a freelancer.
Some of my favourite freelancing jobs have been with Burberry shooting their E-commerce, Emma Buntons Kit & Kin children’s line, Harper’s Bazaar Kids editorial, ASOS E-commerce styling, Selfridges E-commerce styling, LKFW senior styling for three years, cover story for QP Magazine and most recently a freelance stylist on the ASOS fashion team. I worked on various projects with many different brands at ASOS that they represent, thank you John Mooney for all your support, and my latest solo venture has been launching GrayxWild!
Hannah: What skills did you think you have developed the most since styling and which are vital for aspiring stylists to have?
GGstyle: The most important skills you need are organisation, creative imagination & a personable character. I think communication skills and conviction in your creative decision is key and definitely something I have developed over the years.
Hannah: You’ve styled numerous magazine campaigns, which has been your favourite to date?
GGstyle: There have been a few. I would say assisting Cheryl Konteh for Kate Winslet cover of Gotham Magazine at Goodwood Estate was a highlight.
Second my first front cover story with QP Magazine & photographer Ian Lim shot at Blakes Hotel, it was epic!
Thirdly it would have been my partner Bradley Simmonds being front cover of the Men’s Health September 2020 Issue & Men’s Health asking me to style him for this, we truly were the dream team!
Hannah: How has assisting other stylists been beneficial, what are some of the best pieces of advice you’ve received from Stylists that perhaps you use today?
“I think the best tip I could give is to know how to read a room and when to speak up or stay quiet! Apart from that, be yourself the creative industry is not as scary as some may think and people are really willing to help the younger generation”
GGstyle: Always bring more than anticipated, four suitcases or seven it does not matter when you’re on set. A great steamer, plenty of coat hangers and great kit bag are essential. You need to have good relations with PR companies as they really make or break your vision. I think the best tip I could give is to know how to read a room and when to speak up or stay quiet! Apart from that, be yourself the creative industry is not as scary as some may think and many people are really willing to help the younger generations.
Hannah: How has social media played a role in your career? Do you think it’s important for aspiring creatives to establish an online presence in order to build a portfolio of work?
“I absolutely think an online presence is key to promoting your portfolio of work”
GGstyle: Social media has been a pivotal part of my career; it has enabled me to connect with numerous creatives globally. It allows me to follow my favourite, brands, publications and trends. In recent months, I have found that by engaging with my audience about my personal style and tips that I have significantly grown my following. I absolutely think an online presence is key to promoting your portfolio of work.
Hannah: Tell us more about working on the Breast Cancer Care Fashion Gala as first assistant to none other than Hilary Alexander! What was your favourite part of the experience?
GGstyle: Calling in all the clothes, ‘trolly dashes’ Hilary’s favourite, often running down Oxford Street an hour before the show in search of a hat or a pair shoes!
Hannah: Did you enjoy assisting despite entry level work sometimes getting a bad rep?
GGstyle: Absolutely the best thing that happened to me, I will be forever grateful for Hilary’s wisdom, patience and love of fashion, also her love of leopard!
Hannah: Who would be your dream celebrity to style?
GGstyle: An opportunity to style Lily Rose Depp would be the dream job!
Hannah: What has been your happiest memory of working in the creative industry so far?
GGstyle: It would have to be assisting Cheryl Konteh on the red carpet in London and Paris for the Fantastic Beasts Premier. It was a huge amount of fun, especially with the cast. Also meeting Stanley Tucci who was my favourite ever character in Devil wear’s Prada ‘ Guard your loins!’.
Hannah: Finally, what’s next for you? And what changes would you like to see happening in the industry that you would like to be a part of?
GGstyle: I hope to continue building my client portfolio, marketing GrayxWild and plan the next collection. In some small way I aim to help spread the message of anti-fast fashion and encourage women to buy pieces that are forever ones. I want to encourage season-less staple pieces in people’s wardrobes. This message is a key focus to @GrayxWild and incorporated within my styling.
Hannah: Thanks so much for interviewing! To purchase your own reversible, sustainable high quality, extremely well- tailored blazer set click here.