FASHION STYLIST & LUXURY BRANDS DIRECTOR

Oct 5

6 min read

Updated: Oct 7

A couple of months ago I had the pleasure to meet, photograph and consequently interview Helene Kearley for my Les Femmes project. A feature here in my website where women tell their stories either personal or work related. I loved hearing all about her incredible and fascinating work stories whilst living in amazing locations worldwide !! From working in fashion productions for magazines such French Vogue in Paris to Elle Magazine, Sunday Times Magazine, Boden, Alfa Romeo, Marks & Spencer, Olay and many more editorial and luxury brands. Lovely Helene has now reinvented herself by starting a new modelling and acting career. Here we chat and gives us an insight to her life story ;-)

Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you are from and live now?

I live in Suffolk not too far from Cambridge

I was born in Korea, brought up in Sweden. I lived in France, Holland, New Zealand, Australia and the UAE

You mentioned you have lived in many parts around the world, where have you lived ?

I hate moving! Yet I lived in Sweden, France, Holland, New Zealand, Australia, the UAE and I’m now based not far from Cambridge in Suffolk.

Which was your favourite country to live in ?

I love England and London, but each country has had its advantages and disadvantages. Sweden is very cold during the winter and the winters are very long..but very clean and egalitarian.

New Zealand has a stunning nature and landscape, but it is very far away from everything. The food is amazing and tastes so much better than anywhere else I've been. Everything you eat is grown or produced within 2 hours of where you buy it. The wines are amazing with beautiful wineries serving amazing food. Anything outdoorsy on your doorstep.

I do love Australia. I lived in Sydney. The lifestyle is amazing: the beaches, the mix of interesting foods, the buzz of a big city, the cafe life, the sunny weather, but my heart definitely belongs to London. It’s where I feel the most at home. It feels like home for me. I love the seasons here in Europe. That was something I was really missing.

We would love to know about your previous job, what did it consist?

I worked as a fashion stylist. Organising all looks and clothes for shoots.

Which brands did you work for / where were your clients?

I worked a lot under Tyler Brule @Wallpaper magazine, I aslo did shoots for Vogue, ELLE, I-D, The Sunday Times, The Guardian but also for a lot of commecial clients like Marks & Spencer, Harrods, Mappin & Webb, Olay, Ebel Watches and a string of car brands.

How did you get into work for fashion and brands in Paris ?

I went to a French fashion school called Studio Becot and a lot of the internships I did were with some amazing brands, like Alaia, Thierry Mugler and a few more unknown Parisian brands I ended up working for.

What was your very first big break or defining moment?

Vogue and Wallpaper magazine, but also with some amazing photographers whose work I absolutely love.

Who or what are your biggest creative inspirations?

Everything, I am not a snob. I love everything old, new, cheap, and expensive. Books, images, exhibitions, art, films, musicians, the surroundings, culture, magazines, anything.

What is your work style ? How do you create a look for a client or a shoot ?

I was grew up in Sweden, so I love the Scandinavian style: simple and well-crafted garments with an edge.

Normally, I create a mood board for a client and think up a story

What is your favourite era or style decade to draw inspiration from?

I’m very much a contemporary girl for work, but I do have a soft heart for the old-fashioned Parisian woman.

Are there any interesting memories anecdotes you could share with us?

You have to be very driven...I been travelling with very expensive jewellery and had to be taken behind the curtain at customs because I didn’t want anyone to see what I was travelling with... had models stuck at customs... models missing flights, flown to the wrong place...sick photographers...that had to work despite being extremely ill...lost outfits... high-profile celebrities with crazy demands...

Is there a favourite photoshoot project you have worked on and with who?

All the shoots I did for Wallpaper because the locations were so stunning

Have there been any last minute panics/ dramas that happened on set ?

There are always dramas... but as I mentioned earlier... lost models, models that missed flights... stuck in customs...lost outfits and looks..

You mentioned you had to pick up s Stella McCartney dress from her home late at night?

Yes, she started working from home in St John's Wood. There was Paul Macartney’s body guard letting me in

What is the most challenging part of being a stylist today?

There are so many people working as stylists today and everyone is cutting on the budgets..

Do you think Ai will affect your field of work ?

Definitely.

What advice do you have for someone trying to break into styling and creative production today?

You need to deliver so, very hard work and contacts. Start working with young photographers who’s work you admire. One day they will hopefully become well-known, and you can grow with them.

What inspired you to turn into modelling at this stage in your life ?

It wasn’t really something that inspired me... There is all of a sudden a demand for ‘older models’ I started doing a few jobs and that lead to more and more work..

It is very admirable to have a complete career change, lifestyle and throwing yourself into the deep end, did you have any insecurities or doubts initially ? Or were you excited for a new change and challenge?

Work is never guaranteed until you are booked. Sometimes it very busy and sometimes not a that busy. it goes in waves.

I really enjoy it. I've been very lucky working with so many lovely people.

Has it been a difficult transition from your previous job ?

Modelling or acting or presenting is the easy part, the difficult part is when you are responible to time and budgets...when you worry throughout the job. As a model or actor don’t have to worry about that much. Just make sure you are on time.

Are you currently working on any projects ?

I have just finished shooting a commercial and am shooting an advertorial the next day.

Is there a favourite photoshoot project you have worked on ?

For Wallpaper Magazine a trip to Slovenia visiting Villa Bled. I had such a lovely time, and the pictures were beautiful

What advice would you give to any women reading this wishing to change their career at a later stage in their life or have a complete rebrand ?

-Make sure you know exactly what you have to offer and that you are very clear on that, because the competition is hard; there are so many people out there wanting the same thing, but if you are very clear about what the client will get, and that you can offer something unique and come with a lot of experience. You are on a winning path

How do you maintain your time with work and life balance ?

It’s difficult when I constantly have work, and there are never enough hours in a day...

What do you do keep in such amazing shape?

I have animals! My horse takes a lot of physical work, and my dog needs a lot of walks..

Do you keep an eye on what you eat and what is your exercise routine?

I’m lucky I eat anything...touch wood..

Do you have any beauty routines / tips?

Eat healthy, non-processed food. I like healthy food and I drink a lot of water. I don’t drink coffee or soft drinks. I dont like the taste of coffee and don’t drink alcohol that often. Not that I want to, but I work a lot of long hours on shoots, and it’s very tiring. I dont really have the time to drink other than occasionally with friends.

Three words to describe your style

Simple and elegant with an edge

Favourite movie or play?

That is almost impossible! One movie! Amelie...but then a hundred other films!