Natasha Wray is a London stylist, former Elle Magazine staffer, and contributing fashion editor of the online magazine Milk. When I found some of her photo shoots this weekend I was going to post one in full, only I had a hard time picking just one.  Plus I discovered her personal blog and found it so good and insightful that I knew she deserved a big old interview of her own . . . .

1. How would you describe yourself and what you do?

I’m a day dreamer, but am also a control freak, a manic planner and hyper active. I have managed to find a way of working that allows me to be creative, indulge my imagination, whilst also having to be very organised and driven, so fuelling my need to constantly be working and thinking.

2. When did you know you wanted to work in the fashion industry in some way?

It’s weird because I spent a lot of time telling people it was never my intention to work in Fashion and that becoming a Stylist had not crossed my mind. Which is true, I had always been more interested in being a Photographer. However, the more I am asked and have to think about how I got here, I can see a path that makes sense, be it sub-conscientiously. I have always had a vivid imagination and loved dressing up and acting as a child. I loved fashion magazines, and started collecting them in my teens. I intended to study Photography at University, but got distracted and never made it. Instead I moved around magazines until it happened by chance and I realised that Styling indulged my imagination and I got to be part of creating an image.

3. What is your favorite part about styling?

Definitely creating a visual story. I would not be happy to just dress people. I love coming up with an idea, sourcing references and directing every aspect of a shoot with the whole team. I always work closely with the photographer on every aspect from lighting, location, casting the model, to hair, make-up and obviously the styling.

4. Any favorite fashion films, books, or magazines?

I love Lula Magazine, French Vogue and Purple for the shoots. I wish Nova still existed, I was recently introduced to Mirage, which looks great. I recently bought a Playboy from the mid 70s and think this could become my new obsession. I buy too many magazines, and never throw them away. Not really Fashion Films as such, but films that have inspired me from a Style point of view include, Desperately Seeking Susan, Heathers, Virgin Suicides, Some Like It Hot, A Single Man, True Romance, Taxi Driver…there are loads more. The books I read don’t seem to relate at all to fashion in any way. I do love to look at photography books, Taschen books are always brilliant, but I will admit to not looking at enough books and am ashamed of this. I’m getting straight on Amazon after this.

5. What’s the biggest influence on the way you’re dressing at the moment?

Comfort and the weather. I’m quite a practical dresser. I walk or cycle everywhere, so heels are a no no. I love denim and navy blue. My styling work is influenced by trends more than my personal style. It changes slightly, but is always predominantly informed by my desire to feel comfortable. I love cashmere at the moment, I’ve resorted to sleeping in it, my bedroom gets very cold at night and I love how indulgent it is. My jumpers are getting ruined, but I’m warm.

6. Do you have a favorite fashion era or decade?

Probably the 90s. Not because I think it was a particularly good decade for fashion. But because I was a teenager and had the most fun with clothes then. I was informed by music and loved the mix of Grunge and high glamour from brands like Versace and Moschino that trickled down to the street via patterned jeans and jackets. But I would have loved to have experienced the 70s as a young person working in the fashion and publishing world. Some Punk, some Rock, some Peace and Love Romanticism, when everything was a bit more political and people used clothes to express themselves, before everyone in the public eye had a Stylist.

7. In one of your blog posts you mentioned that you aren’t into fancy dress, which I can definitely relate to (Oscar dresses and formal gowns aren’t that interesting to me!). What kind of outfits are the most exciting for you to style/and or wear?

This feels hard to answer as I love doing something new every time I plan a shoot. I like the challenge of trying things I haven’t done before. And I’m at the beginning of my career as a Stylist. I love creating a personality for my model, to fit the story and then decide what she would wear. But I do feel more at ease dressing a girl in a more masculine way than in high heels and dresses, as they don’t make as much sense to me. I’ve just styled a shoot for www.themilkzine.com that will go live at the end of this week, in which I made a very deliberate decision to push myself out of my comfort zone and go glamourous and sexy and I love the shoot and enjoyed doing something that felt un-familiar.

As for me, I find the pressure of dressing up for formal occasions, or fancy dress un-bearable and totally off-putting. But when you find something that makes you feel great, be it a dress, a pair of jeans or a jumper that makes you smile it’s a great feeling.

8. What is your dream styling job?

I’m still thinking about this one. I love that, at the moment, I am doing shoots which I plan and produce from beginning to end, with total freedom. Working with teams who have become my friends, and we get to bounce off each other and are learning together. But I do dream of having a shoot in a magazine I love. Having a budget to pick a location, get a top model and then seeing my shoot published on beautiful paper.

Photo Credits: 1. Natasha Wray;   2.  Photo by Jon Gorrigan, styled by Natasha for Naag.com;   3.  Scene from Taxi Driver;    4.  Photo by Jackie Dixon, styled by Natasha Wray for The Milk Zine;    5.  and 6.  Photos by Jon Gorrigan, styled by Natasha Wray for The Milk Zine.

Filed in interviews on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 · 8 Comments »