The first editorial stylist is Fil Xiaobai. I’ve been “addicted” to her since 2017, when I saw her appearing in a Chinese female reality show. Her working experience inspires me a lot by depicting a changing process from an undergraduate student to a popular editorial stylist in Yoho! Girl (a Chinese magazine for young ladies). When Fil was studying in Chengdu Department of Sichuan International Studies University, she signed up for a street shooting competition all over cities in 2011, and surprisingly she got the champion. Then, as the prize for winner, she was invited to Paris fashion week in 2012, where she was picked and shot by famous photographers like Tommy Ton and Bill Cunningham because of her modern dressing style. She became the youngest It Girl I China by that chance. Later, in 2016, she worked in Yoho! Girl as editorial stylist, or styling director for magazine shoots. Today, she also reveals her role as a KOL and fashion blogger
As my favorite fashion blogger and stylist, she catches people’s attention through her extraordinary and avant-garde style. I’ve been inspired by her style a lot, especially her sensibility on some “small” but special brands. From her, I get to know that Ambush is initially famous by its lighter case necklace; I get to know that Alyx is popular by its tooling style designs; I get to know that Heliot Emil’s plastic, see-through lock design is so shocking but harmonious. Unlike many other fashion bloggers and stylist, she teaches me that not only big brands can build up a perfect look. Fil’s personal style is so particular which captures both man and women, because girls like her beauty and boys like her cool accessories, which can be described as lady-man style. I love her own style, and it really encourages me in my styling process.
I love her work not only because the short distance to fashion brands, celebrities, stars, all these fabulous things, but also flexibility in her profession. Apart from her job as editorial stylist in Yoho! Girl, she created an online video program herself. In each video, she brings couple fashion items that she recently bought in front of camera, and introduces the “fashion point” of each item. I always remember one of her fierce explanations: “why Balenciaga’s down vest costs tens of Uniqlo’s? Only because the logo letters of Balenciaga”. Her narratives of each item give me a general view of the fashion industry, and help me build my deeper insight of the world of fashion.
The second editorial stylist I would like to talk about is Lucia Liu. As she said, she began to pursue beauty when she was very young that she liked to make costume for Barbie with macerated fabric and kits. From that, her ambition in fashion is therefore revealed. She studied for many years in both London and Shanghai. Having the similar temperament as Anna Wintour is the most frequent opinion from others. Later, she worked in T Magazine China as vice executive editor and styling director, also built nice relationships with several famous actors/actresses. When being asked the secret of her success, Lucia mentions two ideas: one is that make-up and hair styling is as well as the whole outfit styling, so be small, and be compatible with the client’s make-up and hair style; two is that training the sensibility of colors is always good, and it will become the key point of the style’s success or lose. As she said, she is sensitive to colors, which seems to be common for staff in fashion industry. Lucia’s personal style is pretty unusual, she loves high platform shoes very much. Her style is so modern but works well with her oriental make-up style.
What she draws me so much is her ability to “change” a person with his/her own personality. One of her client, a famous actress, Dongyu Zhou, changes hugely under Lucia’s work. In the past, Zhou looks so “unhealthy” because of her small body size but with fat head. But now, she is such modern and gains position of spokesman of Burberry in Asia Department. Once Lucia responds reporters that, when she styles, she always assesses the person’s body and temperament first, the decides how to change the person. For Zhou, Lucia ensures every time there is something like belt or strings on her that can highlight her lumbar line. Zhou’s hair style was so old-fashioned, Lucia makes her a chic bob haircut, also adding to her personality of small but smart. After her styling work, many stars look so bright and so strong in their personal style.
