INTRODUCING STYLIST GEORGIA BOAL-RUSSELL

We interviewed stylist Georgia Boal-Russel on her journey so far in her career, with advice on how to get into the industry

By Alana Mann

Georgia has always been interested in fashion since she was little, even cutting her mum’s Chanel scarf in two to use as a blankie. Growing up in the middle of the countryside, she fantasied about being in London. Starting her career early, at aged 15, Georgia set off for Soho to start her first internship. Now, with heaps of professional styling experience, Georgia has styled sportswear collaborations with Nike and Adidas, music videos and magazine covers. She tells Stylist about the journey her career has been so far, with numerous lessons learned and gives her best advice for working in fashion as a woman.

Tell me about yourself and your career so far? How did you get into styling?

I’ve always been interested in clothes, dressing up in my mum’s two-piece skirt suits and using her Chanel scarf as a blankie. Later cutting it in two for a ‘travel-sized’ version, much to her utter horror. I did my first internship aged 15, taking it very seriously. When the majority of my classmates were going to the local school or hairdresser for their first week’s work experience, I thought it seemed about the right time for me to cut my teeth in the Buying Department of a high street retailer. I bought a pair of kitten heels from TKMaxx and took myself to Soho for the week to intern. I have no idea who I thought I was making these decisions so young, kitten heels weren’t even ironic at this point.

I didn’t enjoy the business side of the industry and focused on photography and design at college. At 17, in an art class, my teacher looked at a shoot I’d shot, styled and directed, I use all those terms very loosely. The reality was four West Sussex girls straddling a sit-on lawnmower in heavy makeup and an unsightly number of sequins. She asked me if I knew what a stylist was, I didn’t. I thought you had to be a fashion editor for a big magazine to style shoots, so this was news to me.

Subsequently, I found myself studying Fashion Promotion and Styling and taking any experience that came my way. When I was 22, I left to pursue styling. I’ve since worked as a freelance stylist on editorials, music videos, and campaigns for several clients such as Ralph Lauren, Fred Perry, Adidas, Nike, Wrangler and Birkenstock. No job is the same, and that’s what keeps it interesting.

What initially attracted you to the industry?

I grew up in the middle of the countryside fantasizing about what my life would look like in London. A strict contrast to the pig farm across the road and nearest bus stop 2 miles away. It wasn’t so much the industry but wanting to feel more connected and being with like-minded people with the same interests as me.

What would be the best advice you could give to someone starting out in fashion? Were there any hurdles you faced on the way?

Don’t expect opportunities to come to you if you don’t go looking for them. I have done a number of jobs that I didn’t feel ready for, or felt experienced enough for, you’ll feel like an imposter until you realise everyone is in the same boat, everyone’s learning, so be patient with others too. I heard about a 23-year-old photographer working on a global fashion campaign, they were hideous to the crew and clearly didn’t know what they were doing, it’s so disappointing to hear these kinds of stories. The generation of inflated egos has been dying out, a new fresh pool of talent willing to get their hands dirty has been building, let’s not regress.

Did you do any interning and how was your experience? Were there any Devil Wears Prada moments?

I interned at PR agencies, magazines and fashion houses, all offered totally different experiences. I remember assisting a fashion editor who had previously been Edward Enninful’s first assistant, we were working with a creative director on a new collection when I was sent to make the coffees. It is safe to say I had never made a cup of coffee in my 18 years on the earth at this point. I called my then-boyfriend, had him talk me through the entire thing, spent about 30 minutes sweating over what a cafeteire was and delivered the finest spread of china. After the session, I stepped onto the tube and realised I’d used instant coffee granules to make what I thought, were Grade A barista level coffees. All that effort and 0 outcome, there’s probably a metaphor in there.

How would you describe your overall experience in the industry so far? Do you have any horror stories?

I once did a job for a sports brand, it was a biblically wet day in Peckham, we had to make an entire campaign look as if it was a beautiful summers day. It involved a lot of makeshift umbrellas and sad looking models. I later learned that the entire thing was initially meant to be shot in Miami. I’d recommend anyone looking to work on fashion sets invests in thermals.

What are your views on how women are treated in the industry? Have you had any good/bad experiences so far?

There was one moment that sticks in my memory, I was working with a well-known fashion retailer, and was asked to style an exclusive capsule collection. There were several slogan t-shirts in this collection that, although not intentional, were pretty derogatory to women, I felt deeply uncomfortable but ended up flagging it with the creative director, let’s just say he didn’t take it too well. Luckily the t-shirts were cut and surprisingly, I didn’t lose my job.

How would you describe your personal style? Has it evolved at all?

My look is a mix of off duty Diana meets Seinfeld - think blazers with jeans. I try to invest more now, instead of making rash buys, I travel a lot and have moved about recently. Stuff becomes more of a burden than a thing to cherish in the end.

What are your plans for the future? Do you have any exciting new projects coming up?

I’ve recently relocated to Amsterdam, I love the city and can easily come back for jobs in the UK which makes it a great next step, and a welcome break after 9 years living in London. There is a great creative scene and a surprising number of brands based out here. I’m looking forward to seeing what next year has to offer.