As you may have previously been aware, I have been a style contributor on Australian start up app Mys Tyler since April of 2021. I conveniently came across their Instagram account whilst doing my daily scroll and was intrigued by the app's concept. I have written a more in depth blog post on Mys Tyler's beginnings via an interview with its CEO and founder Sarah Neill. In the six months following this initial connection with the app, I also formed connections with some more of the Mys Tyler team (Larissa & Jesse) via zoom meetings and virtual events. The idea of a Stylist in Residence program based in Toombul Shopping Centre was mentioned in July and I immediately jumped at the chance to be a part of this founding team. The concept of the program was to bring South East QLD style contributors together via a tangible styling zone that was set up in the middle of the shopping centre, as well as provide various styling events over the 50 days of our residency.
Photos by Recap Media (stylists listed below)
The residency began in October and was kicked off with a promotional photoshoot where I got to meet most of the beautiful stylists who were also taking part in the program. This was also my first photoshoot and it was intimidating to say the least but I managed to stumble my way through. I then began my official residency by hosting the styling zone two times per week, where I would catch up on work/uni in our work zones, as well share content on the latest styles in-store and assist some of the other stylists with their errands. I took every chance I got to learn from these amazing women.
Photos by Cabral Photography (Models were the Stylists in Residence with the addition of Shanyn)
A couple of weeks into the residency we held a scavenger style photoshoot where we were allocated a brand to find an outfit from within a certain time frame, and wear the outfit to the designated shoot location within the shopping centre. We then had a second round at a different store (the stores were aware and signed off on our items). Again I fumbled my way through as a "model" and slowly began to get more comfortable in front of the camera.
Behind the scenes photos by Recap Media
Various styling events were hosted by the Mys Tyler contributors in the beautiful Dapple & Waver restaurant, including my own makeup event. I delivered a two hour seminar/tutorial on accentuating your beauty with makeup and I must admit it was lovely to get back into the makeup scene after my break. We also had the opportunity to test out the newly styled shoot studio called The Content Lounge which was organised by Jess (@kickedtothecurve), where we not only captured content for ourselves but also for activewear brand Active Truth.
Photos by @celgfx // Organised by kickedtothecurve // Location: The Content Lounge Models: Stylists in Residences (listed below) as well as Jane (janejordanstyling), Suzanne (suzannedang), Jan (retiring_not_shy), Simone (hausofsimone) and ofcourse Jess (kickedtothecurve)
One of the highlights of my residency was being given the opportunity to host a live streamed panel on inclusion and diversity in the fashion industry. The panel consisted of a diverse group of women including Amy (amygrant_stylist), Sam (curvysam), Sonya (sonish_space), Suzanne (suzannedang) and the founders of Active Truth, Stevie & Nadia. I was so nervous but the topic is one that I am very passionate about, so I pulled all my courage and confidence together and it was absolutely incredible.
Photo by Isabel Wetten (Stylist)
To finish the residency up we hosted a fashion show, showcasing the new season of clothes from our participating brands. Again, this was my first experience of walking in a fashion show and it was an exhilarating experience to say the least.
Photos by @celgfx // Produced by @thebellastylingco// Location: Dapple & Waver & Toombul Shopping Centre
We closed off the year with a photoshoot and Christmas party at Kedron Wavel's bar, Bravo in the Tango Lounge, which was organised by Amy. I was joined by Sandra, Dimitie, Azy and met the lovely Katie (_katiefrances_) .
Photos taken on Amy's phone
Needless to say, the whole experience was absolutely life changing and I not only gained a lot of valuable experience in styling, social media and events; I also met some of the most beautiful women who encouraged me along the journey. Mys Tyler did a wonderful wrap-up of the residency over on their page and I am thankful to say that this experience will no doubt be the beginning of many more to come with my Mys Tyler family.
I am very much looking forward to what 2022 brings with Mys Tyler now that restrictions have eased and travel is relatively back to normal.
The Mys Tyler - Stylists in Residence were:
Dulce (@theartisanstylist), Isabel (@thebellastylingco), Amy (@amygrant_stylist), Sandra (@im.sandradee), Dimitie (@fashionfor50s), Bec (@bec.smith.stylist), Azy (@azybiba), Sonya (@sonish_space) and Samantha (@samanthaelle.x).
Love Julz xx
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