TVM: Today I am speaking with stylist expert, Erica Wark. Erica, how are you doing today?
Erica: I’m great. How are you?
TVM: I’m fine thank-you. I’m just wondering if you could tell our audience a little bit about yourself.
Erica: Sure! Well, I wear many hats (laughs). I am fully self-employed in the fashion industry and I do anything from writing articles, to styling photo shoots, to doing on air segments for different television shows including CBC’s Steven & Chris, Entertainment Tonight Canada, Breakfast Television Toronto, etc. I also work with private clients, help them shop and put pieces together.
TVM: Very interesting. How exactly did you become a stylist and why?
Erica: That is a great question. It all happened very organically, I didn’t intend to have the job that I have now. Since I started modelling at 13, I knew I wanted to work in fashion because I loved working with clothes. I decided after high school to study journalism and after obtaining my degree, I always knew that I wanted to marry the two together but I had no idea how I was going to do that (laughs). My modelling agency at the time actually hired me to do various styling jobs and I realized how much I liked and was good at it. It all started to blossom from there.
TVM: Where do you get your inspiration?
Erica: From everywhere. And simply because I’m never styling the same thing, every segment, magazine, and client is completely different. This gives me more variety and makes me better at my job. Anything from movies, celebrities, trends, magazines, online, or even architecture; you really get inspired from where you’re looking. I think the beauty of fashion is that it’s so versatile and constantly evolving so you never get sick of it.
TVM: Um hm. When did you realize that you were good at your job?
Erica: (laughs). Well, I don’t feel like I’m really good at it, I feel I’m always striving to be better. I realized that I could potentially do this as a living, probably two years ago when I had the opportunity to work with Hollywood Era that was for Walmart Canada and I styled Ashley Tisdale in LA for the photo shoot.
TVM: Other than Ashley Tisdale and you’re work with various television shows, which other artists or personalities have you worked with?
Erica: I’ve done a lot of local artists from Ottawa, a lot of the morning hosts from the television networks here, people in politics…
TVM: Really, like who?
Erica: Unfortunately (laughs) I am unable to divulge that information. Clients are kind of particular about keeping their stuff low key.
TVM: Right.
Erica: I really feel as much as it’s great to have celebrities, and that’s cool, I feel like my mission in fashion is to reach the everyday individual. That’s sort of where my career has been focused towards.
TVM: Do you follow certain trends when styling an artist or personality?
Erica: It’s really based on their personality. I first consult with my clients and ask them what they are looking for because generally speaking when they call me they are looking for a change but they still want to feel like themselves. The worst thing about makeover shows is that they veer so far away from the participant’s comfort that they go back to their old ways. I want to know that those I work with can manage those looks once I’m gone. I feel like “trend” is sort of a loose term now and that it’s no longer about trends season by season because there’s so many, it’s more about the individual.
TVM: Do you have any advice for any budding stylists?
Erica: My advice is to definitely intern with other companies, stylists, or magazines. That is the key to success because not only do you learn the ropes, but you also meet fantastic contacts for networking. I did two unpaid internships in New York, I also did work with freelancers and I just learned from other people in the industry. I feel that internships are crucial in any kind of industry.
TVM: Well alright then. What does fashion mean to you?
Erica: Omigosh, that’s a good question. Fashion means everything to me. When you’re self-employed building a brand for yourself, it really becomes your lifestyle as opposed to a job. I genuinely love going to work every day, it feels like such a blessing and it’s become a part of who I am. Fashion and I are like one being; I owe everything to fashion and I am fortunate that I am one of the few who get to do this every day.
TVM: So, lucky Erica, how would you define great style?
Erica: Confidence. Confidence is everything, you have to feel good in what you’re wearing because it could make or break an outfit even on celebrities. I think JLo is such a good example, she may not be the best dressed out there but she owns everything she wears and it makes you love it.
“I don’t think looks matter per se, I think it’s about the talent and the musician.”
TVM: Nice example. What does the job of a stylist typically consist of?
Erica: A lot of schlepping (laughs). I call myself the personal schlepper because it is a lot of hard work; it’s not glamorous at all. I’m often in stores pulling clothes, carrying clothes to locations, steaming clothes, pinning clothes, dressing and undressing models, and it’s a lot of email work. For one photo shoot, you can easily spend over 30 hours just emailing people. There’s a lot of background work that leads up to the big moment of a spread in a magazine or a 5 minute television segment. It’s a lot, but it really pays off when you see the finished product of what you’ve created.
TVM: Well said. How would you describe your style?
Erica: I would describe my style as very chaotic in the sense that it’s always changing. I mean, I really don’t have a sense of personal style because I am so focused on trying new things and stepping out of my own comfort zone to, basically, practice what I preach. I can’t be telling clients to push boundaries if I’m not. Ultimately, I like to be comfortable in what I’m wearing but I also like to be chic, so I think my style is a combination of the two.
TVM: Okay. What do you love about being a stylist?
Erica: I love watching fashion shows and seeing the clothing for the first time. It’s like watching live art go down the runway. I get to curate that and work with it in my job, I mean, how lucky am I? It’s like playing dress up with Barbies, I mean we used to love doing that when we were young. And at 27, I’m still able to do that. It’s a complete dream come true.
TVM: That’s amazing. How important do you think a stylist is for an artist?
Erica: That’s a really good question. I think it depends on the circumstance of the artist themselves. But I would recommend at least meeting with a stylist and having them go through what you currently work with, discuss where you would want to be eventually, finding a style that works within budgetary constraints, and finding your own style that reflects who you are as an artist.
TVM: How soon should an artist seek a stylist?
Erica: I think finding their own path first is most important. They have to perfect and understand what they want as an artist first. Once they have developed that and are confident with those choices is when they should find a stylist.
TVM: Once they have all of that, how do you determine the best style for your clients?
Erica: Again, it’s really about sitting down and having that conversation about what they are currently doing, where they want to go and finding that balance. Research is key with styling as it probably is with most jobs for finding out what brands and designers work specifically with that artist.
TVM: What are your top 5 styling tips for any aspiring artist?
Erica: Be consistent, if you decide to go one way or the other, stick to it because you don’t want to confuse your audience. Wear it with confidence, as I was saying, confidence is king especially when you’re a performing artist. Be true to yourself. Dress comfortably, because sometimes you can be up on stage for 3 hours and you wanna make sure the fabrics are comfortable and you’re not sweating through them in the first hour. And probably the most important and often forgotten is making sure that you can actually walk in the shoes you’re wearing (laughs).
TVM: (laughs) Right!
Erica: So many times you see celebrities wearing these sky high shoes that they literally cannot walk in and that is completely unrealistic. We’re not all Beyoncé in 4 inch heels and if you’re not comfortable, you have to find something that works for you.
TVM: Do you think that looks matter for an artist?
Erica: I don’t think looks matter per se, I think it’s about the talent and the musician. I certainly think image is important though. What I mean by image is the overall perception of your brand. So that’s why it’s crucial for stylists, hairstylists, and makeup artists to sit down with an artist and have that conversation in order to make sure that everyone is on the same page.
TVM: Would you say that style could make or break an artist?
Erica: Um, hmm…that’s a good question. I think it depends on the type of artist, for example, Mumford & Sons are super casual, and they wear jeans and t-shirts, relaxed and easy breezy. Then you have someone like Lady GaGa, who wears meat on her body and I think her image is really important because she is becoming this icon for fashion but I don’t think if Mumford & Sons changed their style it would really matter.
TVM: Well alright then. So what great things can we expect from Erica Wark, stylist expert, in the future?
Erica: Wow that is a good question. I have no idea! I feel like at this point in my life, the sky is the limit. I’m gonna keep pushing the boundaries of fashion, doing my best to help build a fashion community here in Ottawa and Canada as a whole, and I wanna just keep doing what I do every day and hopefully I can continue doing it for many years to come.
TVM: That sounds great. Thank-you so much for speaking with The Vocalist today and I wish you nothing but success in the future.
Erica: Aw, you’re so sweet. Thank-you.
