Check out our exclusive interview with Sally Dixon, hot young styling talent, on the inspiration behind the Austique SS12 lookbook campaign, shot by Anthony Nobilo.
A few of the pieces needed for the shoot
Stylist – Sally Dixon
1. Please can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into styling
I knew from a very early age that I wanted to get into styling and in particular fashion magazines – eagerly collecting every copy of Vogue from being a teenager. They now take up a whole wall in my living room! Growing up in Yorkshire there wasn’t much scope to get into fashion magazines locally so I knew I had to get myself to London asap. A degree later at the London College of fashion and I was thrust into the world of work experience/interning in various fabulous fashion cupboards – my idea of heaven!
2. Describe your personal style and its influences / inspiration
My personal style is quite understated and uncluttered. I don’t tend to follow any one trend too heavily but stick stick to simple key pieces that I wear again and again – boyfriend blazers, skinny leg jeans, etc all dressed up with accessories. I have a lot of black in my wardrobe and am a sucker for anything that’s black and gold, especially black handbags with gold details!
3. What’s your earliest fashion memory
I remember being fascinated my by Aunty Shirley’s wardrobe from a young age. She was always very glamourous and I used to love rifling through her clothes and sitting at her dressing table which was brimming with all sorts of beautiful perfume bottles and fantasic make-up which I’d watch her expertly apply.
4. What was your styling inspiration for the shoot
I wanted to keep everything very clean and simple for the shoot and just let the clothes and the way Florence wears them shine through. Very understated and relaxed chic.
5. What were your favourite pieces
The printed maxi dress was a definete favourite – I wanted it in my wardrobe that day! So easy to throw on but looks stunning. I also loved the hot pink embellished skirt – which is unusual for me being a lover of dark clothes, perhaps this can be my foray into colour! Another favourite was the black and white stripe coat dress.
6. What was it like working with Florence
Florence was great to work with, so lovely and friendly and keen to help out on the shoot. We had a few issues with the good old British weather and she was very adaptable to our plans changing at the last minute. Plus everything looked fantastic on her.
7. What would you never leave the house without
A bit of a boring answer but my mobile phone – if I forget it in the morning I absolutely have to go back for it. It has everything on it, my email, my diary, my contacts. I’d be lost for the day without it and late for all my appointments.
8. What is your favourite piece in your wardrobe at the moment and what is your next “must have” purchase
My all time favourite are my Russell & Bromley ‘Rockafella’ black leather boots. I’d be barefoot without them – I literally wear them with everything. I’ve definetely got my cost per wear out of them – I even bought a second pair exactly the same. I’m currently lusting after a YSL Cabas Chyc bag, in black and gold obviously.
9. Are there any fashion icons or famous people whose style you admire
Charlotte Gainsborough for her casual attitude to style, being half French she just has that knack that french women do of throwing pieces together and making them look utterly stylish. Likewise Clemence Poesy and Marion Cotillard for their quirky but chic French style. I also admire the style of Diane Kruger and Kate Bosworth – they both do laidback luxe so well.
10. What advice do you have for someone wanting to get into styling
Do as much work experience/interning as possible. Write to all your favourite magazines and see if there are any opportunites for work experience. You may be shoved in the fashion cupboard but it’s all good experience, plus I loved being in the fashion cupboard as you get to look at beautiful clothes and accessories all day long. Be indispensable, enthusiastic and always keen to help out – you never know who might be able to help you out in the future.
11. What do you skimp on and what do you splurge on?
I skimp on travel in London – I’d much rather cycle to work than pay for an overpriced tube ride. Splurge on Coconut Water – so expensive but I love it!
Stylist Sally Dixon looking very glamorous!
Photographer- Antony Nobilo
1. Please can you tell us a little bit about yourself and How/why did you first get into photography
Antony Nobilo
Late twenties/early thirties
Born in Wellington, New Zealand
Lived in Sydney from 2001-2005
Have been based in London since 2005
I started off in Fine Arts Photography.
Once I had taken my first role of B&W film,processed it and then printed my selections in the darkroom I became focused on the medium as a career.
Now…15 years on and the focus is still there and the passion is possibly even greater than ever!
2. Describe your personal style and its influences / inspiration.
My personal style is quite casual with a touch of formal…Like Converse kicks and a an Armani Suit.
(Katie witnessed this recently at a wedding in Greece)
3. How do you describe your photographic style
My style is undefined…
I really try to avoid being labelled for a certain style…people always tell me that it’s detrimental to my career not conforming to having a single style…
I’m not a fan of just shooting one style…
I respect the photographers work who do however.You can tell a David Bellemere shoot a mile away, Guy Aroch is very obvious as is Peter Lindbergh and obviously a Terry Richardson pic is easy to spot.
These photograpehrs are all great but I like to shoot on every camera,35mm film,Medium format digital etc…
I use every lighting kit…Kinoflo,HMI,Flash, Natural light etc…
To me this variation keeps everything interesting and you are always learning…
4. What was your styling inspiration for the shoot
The inspiration was taken from the clothing. The design, the colour and the fabric played a big role…
Once I saw the prints that Katie was using everything began to come together…
5. What was it like working with Florence
Florence was great. Very professional.
Whoever your model/subject you have to get the shots you and the client have planned/discussed.
6. If you could shoot anyone famous dead or alive who would it be and why
Brigitte Bardot
Everything about her is amazing…
7. Which photographer do you admire/look up to
I love certain periods of various photographers careers…
I love the pictures of Irving Penn of his ‘found objects’
I love Richard Avedon’s ‘American West’ book…
I love the variation of Mario Testino’s work. He admits he knew nothing of lighting at the start of his career so he concentrated on the connection between photographer and subject.
That is still evident in his work today. Noone will ever forget the Princess Diana images. They are truely timeless.
There are many photographers who I look at and research/read about. I like to take certain elements from them all and use them to develop/inspire my own work.
8. What advice do you have for someone wanting to get into photography
Everyone is a photographer…especially these days with digital cameras.
To become a successful photographer there are so many requirements…you need to learn lighting kit/post production techniques/cameras etc…and you need to have a business mind.
It’s a rollercoaster but definitely beats a 9-5 in an office!!
9. What bands are rotating on your iPod lately
(scrolling through recently played)
Brothers Johnson-Strawberry Letter
The Hurts-Wonderful Life
Friendly Fires-Chimes
My Morning Jacket-Victory Dance
Raphael Saadiq-Good Man
XXXY-Cocoon
Cut Copy-Sun God
Passion Pit-Folds in your Hands
The Vaccines-Noorgaard
10. What would you never leave the house without
My Satchel/Manbag
Things that are always in there…
A pair Ray Ban Polarised sunglasses
A pair of Carrera sunglasses
Photos of my family…
Bottle opener
Ipod, Iphone, Headphones…
Sleeping Pills
Safety Pin,Fountain Pen
Basically guy stuff…
Photographer Antony Nobilo in action
