Aug 17

Aug 17 Fashion Stylist Henny Letailleur, TALKS: on Inspiration and NY Fashion Shows

London-born fashion stylist Henny Letailleur has styled countless fashion campaigns and held positions at some of the most influential fashion publications. During the quarantine she designed her own line of goods for the home and self, but is anxious to get back on set styling and creating beautiful imagery.

What inspires your work?

Initially my love of clothing came from my grandmother who was a dress designer in post war 1950s London. She made one-off, high-end pieces for London's elite. That with the combination of being 5'11 at age 13 made me scour the high street as a teen looking for clothes that could work and be put together differently, or altered into something I'd like. I had a very short and awkward modeling career where I found out what stylists and fashion editors did and I fell into working for fashion magazines.

I love creating images, putting together clothing and looking for pieces from a variety of places; from designer, high street and vintage. I also love being on set and since joining Holly Corbett Represents, I've had the chance to work on some big campaigns with some amazing photographers, allowing me to see the full creative process.

Do you have a favorite style inspiration?

One of my first assignments at a magazine was covering NY Fashion Week, which at the time was the most exciting thing ever. The sheer size, the hustle and bustle; there were so many inspiring shows. With what’s going on with COVID, it will be interesting to see how that in-person experience is translated to a virtual one. Will it be as exciting, I wonder? I think so. Watching the shows every season, however you do it, is an inspiration.

I also love anything from the 1970s, or 1970s/mid-century inspired on a personal level. The colors, shapes and patterns just seem so fun. I love designers like Gucci, Chanel, Stella Mc Cartney, Chloe and Isabel Marant but I am equally inspired by high street giants like Zara, Uniqlo, Free People and H&M. Stylewise I relate to London trends and admire how fashionistas like Alexa Chung and Kate Moss put things together.

You recently opened up your own online store https://www.henelle.shop/ What made you decide to create your own line of products? I've always loved patterns and thought I would like to try and create some myself. I've made a line of silks scarves inspired by California landscapes and places. This is my first attempt at creating and I've really enjoyed the process. I'd like to move into some clothing pieces like kimonos as well as home furnishings. I still have a lot to learn and think I need to train a little more. I initially did a 3-day course of print design at London's Fashion and Textile Museum.

Any other projects you are working on now? Since the quarantine I have created a line of CBD Bath soaks also, with my partner, an artist illustrator and packaging designer. Initially we just made some to give to friends, but everyone loved them so we decided to do this properly. I have also been styling and producing ( safely), working on my portfolio so my styling looks fresh when production gets going again.

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Author: Elizabeth Hazard

Elizabeth Hazard is a creative director, producer and writer with several years of experience producing content for magazines, websites, brands and artists. Liz has worked with some of the most accomplished talents in the industry to conceive, develop and produce photos, videos and written work. A published author, she frequently writes about fashion, art and cultural topics for websites and publications. She also holds a certificate in curating from Node Center for Curatorial Studies in Germany.