If there was a case to be made for selfies, Lee Trigg would be the woman for the role: whether it be a vehicle for showing off a cracked iPhone, a lol at some bizarre (but by all means truly fantastic) sunglasses, or a visual taster for the best worst finds her address book of obscure retail outlets holds, the stylist is a master at subverting the self portrait, keen to reject the curated nature many in the industry fall for.
And as the gallery above reads, she has the job to match. Or at the very least, grant her the opportunities to fill your timeline with updates of #tourlife, because away from disregarding the mainstream with rousing editorials and trips to see her mom back in Canada, she’s responsible for the sartorial choices of contemporary pop’s finest.
Why? Because a vintage band tee and knackered jeans are not just a vintage band tee and knackered jeans when you're in an internationally acclaimed boy band. Here she fills us in on what exactly it takes to dress today's pop elite.
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So what was your entry to styling musicians?
I actually started by styling musicians like Katy B and Ella Eyre for Clash, as well as through some other publications, but it was definitely through editorial jobs that I started to work with some amazing musicians and gain recognition.
And what does the job entail; you travel a lot right?
First my job starts with listening to what the artist/artists want and combining that with what I see could compliment them and elevate them style-wise. Then it moves into a lot of research into the image that we want to create, and after establishing a style direction we are all happy with, I start to contact brands and designers to loan desired looks, as well as shopping for endless hours to find the right pieces. Regarding travel, yes, I was away for most of last year; it was great to be able to find unique shops all around the world, as well as some rare pieces that are one of a kind.
What’s it like working with a band on tour?
It was extremely fun for me, I love travelling, I love my job and I loved the relationships that I got to build with the musicians and the team as a whole. You begin to feel like you're part of a family, it's a beautiful thing.
And how collaborative is the process, between you and the artist?
In my experience it is very collaborative, I like to have constant communication with the artist and management to make sure we are always moving in the right direction and to avoid making anyone feel uncomfortable. There is nothing worse than presenting a rail of clothing that no one is excited about and communication is the only way to avoid that.
So what’s been the biggest surprise?
I think the biggest surprise was how much it's made me love my job, when looking at the calendar for a promo tour it can seem overwhelming and stressful, but after every job and every performance was over I just felt more and more grateful that I get to do what I love.
And the worst?
The worst is being away so often from friends and family. It can feel very lonely waking up in a different hotel in a different city all the time but I was lucky to be surrounded by some very positive and fun people to make it all seem ok.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about stylists?
That it’s all fun and games. Shopping for specific things is actually extremely hard at times, it seems like a very easy thing to just go and grab a couple T-shirts and jackets, but sometimes the things you envision are nowhere to be found and I can spend days looking for one single item.
And how do you think the role of the stylist has evolved, within the music industry?
I think the role of a stylist is and continues to become even more important, especially in the music industry. It's our job to help our client express themselves and feel like individuals through their appearance, it is the ultimate creative collaboration and it should never be underrated.
What are the big differences between your editorial work and the music side?
I can play as much as I want with my editorial work, creating odd combinations that wouldn't necessarily work on a musician. Having a balance of both keeps me in check, being able to be free creatively makes me happy, and then also being collaborative and working with someone’s personal taste is challenging and can be just as gratifying.
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