We’re so excited to be supporting the fabulous Fashions Finest off-schedule shows during London Fashion Week. To kick off our coverage of one of the most coveted event in the fashion calendar, Editor Natasha had the pleasure of chatting to Bernard Connolly, stylist to the stars, Celebrity Fashion Mentor at Fashions Finest and Britain’s Top Designer Head Judge on his styling career and love of the fashion industry.
Bernard studied at the London’s most famous fashion college Saint Martins, achieving a fashion degree at the highest level and has since worked with some of the most famous fashion designers in the world, including Zandra Rhodes, Anthony Price as well as supporting new designers such as Jacob Kimme, Hannah Marshall. He then went on to gain experience in retail and merchandising, in-house personal shopping for Harvey Nichols and was the in-house head of PR for the Kenzo brand of the luxury goods house LVMH. After 3 successful years with LVMH, Bernard then went freelance as a fashion stylist, having cultivated a large network of private clients, including many celebrities and high profile individuals.
Bernard, give us a little insight into your creative background.
I have always had a strong identity in fashion that comes from amazing designers, photographers, makeup artists and hair stylists – building amazing teams around me. Keeping my focus at all times on my pathway.
Are there enough opportunities for emerging designers to showcase their designs and enter this competitive industry?
Yes I think there are but emerging designers need to find these for themselves. It is important that young designers use their initiative to find opportunities and take them. Fashions Finest is a perfect platform for this and provides emerging designers with the right balance of support and encouragement.
Is the fashion industry campaigning enough for boutique labels and recognising emerging talent?
There is a lot of new talent coming through at each Fashion Week and at Graduate Fashion Week, however the industry can always do more to promote and encourage new talent.
Describe your ideal customer?
I love nothing better than to work with new talent myself and working with a new boy band at the moment, seeing their raw talent at such an embryonic stage is exciting and encouraging. Likewise getting actors ready for BAFTAs and Oscars is also as exhilarating.
What has been your most memorable success to date?
As part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, I was part of Her Majesty’s fashion team which was all documented in a book called Dressing The Queen, within I’m featured. This was particularly amazing and exciting as it is a historical document and reference used for prosperity.
What are the key images you want to portray when people see or hear your name?
A happy and smiling face, amazing fashion and a sense of the wow factor with these images.
On a personal note, how would you describe your personal style?
My personal dress choice is dandy luxe mixing traditional ties and jackets to make them look more modern and current. My fashion style is heavily influenced by Antony Price and early Alexander McQueen, where it is tailoring but taken to the next level to create the wow factor.
We’d like to thank Bernard for offering an insight into his career and creative inspirations.
If you’d like more information on the upcoming Fashions Finest SS18 event, take a look at the website here and grab your ticket today!
