Stacy London
Stacy London
We’re getting misty eyed as we write this, but last month, TLC’s What Not To Wear came to an end. Not only will we now miss regular doses of our girl Stacy London, but also the trademark streak of gray that has come to define London’s look on the show for the past 10 years. And, as it turns out, that striking streak has been updated, as London recently debuted blond-tipped locks done by celebrity colorist Rita Hazan. (Not to worry: The streak is still there; it just has some ombre friends now.)
While the recent changes (most notably her hair) have been sending her legions of fans into therapy, we embrace change at Fashion Trends Daily. And we’ve always loved the frank way that London has, too. The show may be wrapping up, but London isn’t going too far. Her book, The Truth About Style (Plume) just came out in paperback and Style for Hire, her stylist program with Westfield malls, is going strong. We caught up with London to talk about navigating the trends, not being a fashion victim and changing the fashion landscape one stylist at a time!
Michelle Dalton Tyree/Fashion Trends Daily: How do you incorporate trends and not scream fashion victim?
Stacy London: I always think: The farther you are away from the epicenter of the trend target — which is anything [worn by people] in their 20s and 30s — the farther we have to get from the epicenter of the trend the way it’s shown.
FTD: Give us some tips.
SL: For me there are a couple of things. Either you mix a trend with a suit separate — [like] add a trouser or a blazer to kind of equalize it — and make it a little more conventional, so that you are giving a nod to what is culturally and trend relevant without looking like you are a victim. Or, do it in accessories.
The Truth About Style
FTD: Are people looking for a way to decode the trends?
SL: Trends are actually very easy to read: there’s color, there’s pattern, there’s texture and then silhouette, and maybe [throw in] what’s interesting for evening. And those categories don’t change.
FTD: There’s a lot made of investment dressing these days, as if it’s a new concept. And it’s funny, because stylish women have been doing this for years. How can a stylist be part of that mindset?
SL: I really want to get people thinking about a stylist the way they would an interior designer, or my favorite example: a financial planner. You may have no money but going to a financial planner will really help you set yourself up.
FTD: We love that Style for Hire is accessible to everyone.
SL: Even if you have no money, [you can] go to a stylist and Style for Hire can help strategize a style for you that you can achieve over time. That will make a stylist pay for themselves and you will have a wardrobe that makes you look and feel incredible.
FTD: Let’s talk style bloggers for a moment. What are your thoughts on how much they have changed the face of fashion?
SL: I think it’s very important to be careful with the way that we attribute bloggers this incredible sense of importance because they are dressing head to toe in the latest trends.
FTD: It’s different now, you came from print journalism and that had its own cycle, but today, everything is so fast and instantaneous. How can someone at home use the Internet and bloggers’ style in their own way?
SL: I think there are some incredibly important bloggers, but the problem with the immediacy of the Internet is that everybody is an authority and that is something that we have to be careful of. Fashion is an industry that still requires experience and an eye — more than just money — to dress in a way that makes you understand the industry. So I caution people to get relevant and important information, not just [follow] whoever has the most followers on Twitter.
Stacy London at Westfield Topanga
FTD: Assuming we are not just blindly following trends, what are some that you love?
SL: I am all about the texture trends: Lace, brocade, leather, fur, faux fur. Bring it on! You can do monochromatic if you are going to add the intricacy in the way you are mixing texture. I do love all of the romantic tones of burgundy and teal and bottle green, because frankly they look good on everybody. They are pseudo neutrals to me. Those colors take the place of navy, black and brown.
The Truth About Style is available now in paperback.
Images courtesy Westfield, NY Times and Plume
