Welcome to our brand spanking new conversation series - Mutual's Muses!
Across a decade we have built a community of fashionphiles - those who know great style doesn't have to be complicated, or cost the earth. We’re celebrating friends of Mutual Muse who innovate: the artists, stylists, foodies, fashion-lovers, and all ‘round change makers who inspire us to think differently.
Our first edition is with long time shopper, seller, borrower and dear friend of the shop, Jade Leung. Working with clothes in such a transient way, Jade understands the importance of shopping second-hand. She’s been borrowing pieces from our stores since 2021 to bring her styling visions to life, as seen here!
Read on to learn the ins and outs of the industry, where Jade finds her inspiration and what pieces she's nabbed from our stores.
xx MM
MM: Hi Jade! Tell us a little bit how you got into styling.
JL: Hello Mutual Muse Team. Thanks so much for having me 🩷
I got into fashion styling whilst studying my diploma in Visual Merchandising when I was offered 1 week of work experience with a stylist called Melissa Gadsden. The week went really well, and I loved the projects I was thrown into with Melissa. It was a side of fashion I had never known existed until then. After the week of work experience, Melissa offered me full time assisting work with her, which opened my eyes to freelance work and the ups and downs of working for oneself.
Around 9 months later I moved to New York and was lucky enough to get an internship with Alistair McKimm. I worked really hard, and loved every second of the experience- the parties, the after parties, the after after parties and all the big brands and personalities you meet, just by being in such a thriving city. Upon returning home later that year, I was noticed by a creative agency and was signed to them, and the rest is history (I've been self represented since 2020).
MM: How do you balance creativity with sustainability when styling clients or yourself?
JL: In my job as a fashion stylist, every job and its requirements are completely different. Once I've been given a styling brief, I can then go through my rolodex of lookbooks, what I've seen in stores, or what I can imagine finding in a vintage or pre-loved hand store. I love the element of unpredictability when sourcing at pre-loved stores. Because sometimes, the unexpected is a big part of the magic.
MM: What role does secondhand fashion play in your styling work?
JL: More often than not, especially with TVC's and commercial work, there is a need for a wardrobe to have a "worn in" look, or it might be era based styling. Second hand fashion is also such an amazing way of finding unique one-off pieces for situations that require it.
MM: What’s been your most career defining moment so far?
JL: Oohhhh I feel like this answer is constantly shifting. And I feel so much fulfillment out of so many jobs, quite regularly but it's based on the overall feeling of the job, and the team I worked so intensely with for weeks leading up the job.
Maybe the easiest one that is fresh on my mind is styling Mary Fowler for L'oreal Paris. I'm quite a bit of a sports nerd, so having the opportunity to style such an incredible athlete for such a big brand was definitely a great career moment for me.
MM: How do you help clients feel confident exploring new styles outside their comfort zone?
JL: I have a long history of retail experience (my first job was at the age of 14 in a boutique on Greville Street) so I definitely feel qualified in helping people explore different comfort zones. Empathy goes a long way when learning about a client, and I think it's a really important factor in helping them push through certain, often self imposed, barriers.
MM: What's a common styling myth you'd love to bust?
JL: Where do I even begin!
I think the one that gives me the most frustration is this idea that cropped pants will be more flattering for a short person. Because every time i've put a wide leg trouser that goes to the floor on a shorter person, it's made them look taller. You don't need cropped pants, you just need a good tailor. Also the no mixed metal rule is crazy to me. These myths and rules are so archaic.
MM: Any tips for any budding stylists getting started in the industry?
JL: This is probably going to be unpopular amongst the up and coming youths, but my only advice is to assist, assist, assist! Being a fashion stylist is a LOT more than putting on pretty clothes, and watching every PFW runway on Vogue.com. There is a lot that goes on between booking a job and actually seeing it out in the world. A lot of these nuances can only be learnt from being on the job from start to finish, from how to word an email, to how to convert a social interaction into a job or client.
MM: On your days where your mood is low, what’s your go-to fit?
JL: When my mood is low, I tend to reach for comforting outfits that I know will immediately make me feel put together. So it's a hard choice between my oversized Acne blazer (black), my oversized Acne blazer (long), or my oversized Acne blazer (striped). Bottoms are season dependent, but as long as I grab a blazer to finish it off, I feel instantly okay. Oh and there has to be some sort of crazy toy or key chain attached to my bag or pants.
MM: What has been your greatest secondhand find?
JL: Most recently I was bringing some items to your Northcote store, and while waiting for my items to be processed I found the most amazing quilted, puffer jacket with a tweed trim. It got me through this tough winter, and I always get compliments for it when I wear it. I also love that it is a Korean brand, and a completely unique piece.
MM: If you had to pick a song to describe your style, what would it be?
JL: Genius Of Love by Tom Tom Club. Because it gives me a sense of joy and happiness and fashion should be fun.
MM: What’s the oldest item in your wardrobe and why have you hung onto it for so long?
JL: My parents went to Japan with my sister when we were young and they bought us matching (of course) kimonos and giant minnie mouse plushies. I still actually have that kimono (and the plushies), and can still fit into it 🩷 Doesn't fit quite like it does pictured below though 😜
MM: And finally, who or what in the community inspires your work right now?
JL: I'm always inspired by my peers. We're really lucky to have a really diverse collective of creatives that support each other. I've also found myself loving a lot of music and film from Hong Kong, mostly ones I grew up with in the 90's + 2000's.
Stay tuned for our next conversation coming up soon. Do you have someone you think we should sit down with? Let us know!
xx MM