Sunday 30 August 2009

Are You a Top-Stylista?







Chantelle Znideric is someone who I can truly call a fashionista. As a celebrity stylist, personal shopper, fashion writer/blogger, and founder of highly esteemed styling agency - Top-Stylista and online personal shopping site iSylista.com Chantelle is a strong influence to the fashion world.

Below is an interview I did with her - Enjoy!



me - When, and why did you decide to be a personal stylist?

Chantelle - I decided in 2006 on a beach in the Domincan Republic that it was time to pursue my dream career of becoming a personal stylist. At the time I was working full time as a senior graphic designer and I had been in this industry for over 10 years. I couldn’t think of anything better than the thought of running my own business and working in Fashion, doing something that I knew I would LOVE! From a very early age I always had a passion for all things fashion. I spent ages making my own clothes, creating look books and designing my own shoe collections! Pursuing a career in personal styling was a natural progression from designing corporate brand identities for companies and I knew I would get more job satisfaction and reward from assisting individual clients with their image.

I set up TopStylista.com, my fashion blog when I got back from my Dominican Republic holiday in order to test the market. Women wrote to me with their fashion dilemmas and I got a huge amount of enjoyment out of suggesting outfits for them. By the end of the year I had enrolled with an image academy to do a professional course in Image Consultancy. As soon I completed the course I quit my job and started up my own Image Consultancy called TopStylista (
http://www.personal-stylist.co.uk/).

me - What inspired you to launch iStylista.com?

Chantelle - The majority of my clients are professional females of around 30, my own age. They work incredibly hard and have busy, hectic social calendars, some have families and others run their own businesses; regardless of whether they are in or out of work they like to look stylish and portray an effortless style. Most hire me to help them create a stylish capsule wardrobe every season to save them time and money. With online shopping becoming increasingly popular and efficient I wanted to create an online personal stylist website and personal shopping concierge service to help women make the right purchases online for their uniqueness. iStylista.com’s core value is being able to offer our members complete convenience and is based on providing them with the best choice of designer fashion within one website. Each member can access their very own private online changing room 24/7 and then be presented with the clothes that are only suited to them.



me - What are the positives and negatives (if there are) of your job?

Chantelle - The bit I most enjoy about my job is spending one to one time with a client and being able to help them achieve the right image for them whilst also building on their confidence and self esteem. Most clients are now very good friends so it’s always a pleasure shopping with them each season.

me - What is your favourite fashion trend for next season?

Chantelle - As I am a typical pear shape I am loving these fierce shoulder pads, details and embellishments on tops and dresses! You’ll also see me wearing lots of deep berry shades, as it’s my favourite colour and I am in love with anything with complete minimalism as it’s striking, fitted and structured.

me - In your opinion what item should people invest on during the current recession?

Chantelle - In my opinion people should invest in classic pieces that you can wear season after season, which won’t date but I stand by this recession or no recession. A dress that exudes your femininity will always make you feel sexy and the fabulous thing is that you can change the look of it for any occasion day or evening, for work or smart/casual with different accessories and shoes.

me - Do you have a favourtite designer, who and why?

Chantelle - I don’t really have a favourite designer; I like to wear a mixture of high street, designer, secondhand and vintage, which makes my style individual.
Having said that this season I am in love with Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, I will wear these dresses continually for work.


me - Have you recently spotted any up and coming designers with lots of potential?

Chantelle - I really like Thurley, I bought my wedding dress recently from this designer and I love it! It’s very feminine and I’d love to see more of her work and collection some time.



me - What are your 4 favourite items in your wardrobe at the moment?

Chantelle - 1) My faithful black leather bomber jacket with three quarter sleeves, I’ve had it for years and I must admit I seem to live in it.
2) A pair of new black patent platform courts from Russell & Bromley, they are incredibly minimalist, I can wear them with anything and they’ll last for years.
3) A lilac pleated chiffon bolero – very feminine and vintage!
4) My gorgeous Thurley wedding dress that I can’t wait to wear in December.

me - What are your favourite fashion boutiques worldwide?

Chantelle - I have stumbled across a few in my time in Paris, Jakarta, Dubai and New York but I didn’t take note of what they were called. I still have the clothes that I bought in them, which reminds me of them.

me - Who do you wish to trade wardrobes with from the past or present and why?



Chantelle - I’d love to trade wardrobes with some like Kylie Minogue or Cheryl Cole, I know that nothing would fit but I’d love to have a rummage through their evening dresses and stage outfits. I went to see Kylie’s Showgirl concert a few years ago and the outfits were amazing!

Thursday 20 August 2009

5 Pairs of Ravishing, Quirky, Statuesque Boots

(above) Balmain


(above) Alexander Wang

(above) Tabitha Simmons



(above) Kurt Geiger





(above) Dsquared