Storytelling | Interview with stylist Hannah Teare

Hannah Teare, former Fashion Director of Tatler UK
and current fashion stylist and brand consultant

For London-based Hannah Teare, clothing is all about telling stories, creating modern and elegant images using fashion as her medium. 2012 was an incredible year for Hannah as she shot for American Vogue, Vanity Fair and Town and Country, travelling the globe with trunks full of exquisite dresses. 

Hannah draws a lot on her roots in Art History which lends a oft theatrical and lovely dramatic flare to her work. Recent projects include one with Vivienne Westwood, a play at the National Theatre, and an elaborate fairytale collaboration with Annie Leibovitz. Up coming adventures include a trip to Cuba and more tales to tell....

Model: Olga Sherer
Photographer: Cathleen Naundorf
Stylist: Hannah Teare
Hair: Federico Ghezzi
Make Up: Lynsey Alexander
Magazine: Harper’s Bazaar UK

Jonathan: When a new project comes in, can you share some of your creative process? How do you decide on a look or direction for a product?

Hannah: Each project is unique and my approach can vary depending on the the scale and brief of the styling required. I tend to have ideas fizzing and buzzing in my mind as well as stories being led by the seasons designs. If it is an advertising job then potentially there is a very specific brief which I work to and perhaps tweak a little. 

Model: Olga Serova

Photographers: Luis Monteiro & Saakshi Mathur

Hair: Joseph Pujalte

MUA: Serge Hodonou

Fashion Editor: Hannah Teare

Magazine: Tatler UK

Jonathan: Editing in any creative project is essential. It is one of the most difficult parts of the process. Knowing when to pull back or push an idea further critical. What makes a great editor in your book?

Hannah: Confidence in decisions makes a great editor. Some editors/stylists are elaborators i.e.. add accessories and layers..others style purely with their edit using total looks. Both take skill - and the courage of conviction is the key. 

Model: Jennifer Pugh
Photographers: Luis Monteiro and Saakshi Mathur
Fashion Editor: Hannah Teare
Magazine: Tatler UK

Jonathan: Who are your heroes? Was there anyone in your life that helped or inspired you to get to where you are today? 

Hannah: My heros include Cecil Beaton, Isabelle Allende, Irving Penn, Freda Kahlo, Elizabeth I, Emily Pankhurst. Madonna also amazes me - she is the queen of reinvention and in my pre-teens and teens (i.e.. the 80s and 90s) she could do no wrong! The movie My Fair Lady was a great fashion inspiration for me as a little girl - for a couple of years I drew bows on everything I designed. In my early twenties it was the fantastical work of David La Chapelle and post impressionist artists. My parents always encouraged me to travel and enjoy foreign cultures and traditions. I find switching countries and era's very inspiring both in life and my work.  

Models: Coco Rocha and dancer Roberto Bolle
Photographer: Annie Leibovitz
Fashion Editor/Stylist: Grace Coddington
Stylist: Hannah Teare
Hair: Julien d’Ys
MUA: Gucci Westman
Set Designer: Mary Howard
Magazine: US Vogue

Jonathan: Hannah, could you share one of your favourite moments in your career so far? Who are some of your favourite people to work with? 

Hannah: My first editorial shoot for American Vogue was a big Romeo and Juliet extravaganza with Annie Leibovitz. Grace Coddington was styling Coco Rocha as Juliet and I was styling the male characters for the shoot plus Juliet's nurse. I sourced vintage pieces from costume houses in the UK and packed them all up in to 10 trunks and flew solo to NY for fittings a run though and the shoot. It was a very busy few days, and an inspiration to be on set with amazing talents such as Grace and Annie. I don't think I exhaled until I was on the plane back to the UK.

Model: Olga Serova
Photographers: Luis Monteiro and Saakshi Mathur
Fashion Editor: Hannah Teare
Magazine: Tatler UK

Jonathan: What advice would give to someone wanting to start a career in fashion as a stylist or in magazines?  

Hannah: Hands on experience is the best way to learn the trade, also to follow your passions outside of the fashion industry even if fashion is your first and foremost  - be it art/theatre/fencing/etc - whatever you love,  it will also bring inspiration to your work. Surround yourself with others who inspire you and that you will learn from. Dare to take a few risks, they will expand your experience and it is unlikely you will regret whatever they may be.

Models: Ella Kandyba & Maria Loks
Photographer: Cathleen Naundorf
Fashion Editor/Stylist: Hannah Teare
Hair: Thierry Degrave
MUA: Caroline Saulnier
Magazine: Harper’s Bazaar UK

Jonathan: Just want to thank Hannah for sharing some time with us and wish her many moreadventures across the globe with trunks full of exquisite dresses. Look forward to her stories.

Model: Amanda Seyfried

Photographer: Simon Emmett

Stylist: Hannah Teare

Magazine: Vanity Fair 

Photographer: Ruven Afanador 
Model: Olga Serova
Stylist: Hannah Teare
Christian Lacroix, Fall 2008 Couture 
Magazine: Tatler UK

One more... it was so hard to choose :)

Model: Katie McGrath
Stylist: Hannah Teare
Photographer: Luis Montiero
Magazine: Tatler UK

You can see more of Hannah's work at her site, HERE
and follow her adventures on Twitter @hannahteare.

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Patrick Demarchelier | No Words Necessary

There is not much I can add to or say about Mr. Demarchelier. Only that he is a master in his field and I am inspired every time I see his work… hope you are too.

Patrick Demarchelier

Patrick was born near Paris, in 1943 to a modest family sharing a home with his uncle’s family as well. For his seventeenth birthday, his stepfather bought him his first camera, A Kodak. Soon, Demarchelier was learning how to develop film, retouching negatives and started shooting photographs of friends and weddings.

In 1975, his girlfriend led him to New York and he discovered fashion photography. As a freelance photographer, learning and working with photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Hans Feurer and others, his work soon drew the attention of Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, and others. In 1992, began the start of what would be a 12-year collaboration with Hearst publications and Harper's Bazaar then he returned to Vogue. Working with Anna Wintour, shooting editorials, covers and advertising campaigns, his work has been a vital part of Vogue to this day.

Demarchelier’s clients include campaigns for Dior, Chanel, YSL, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and so many others. He was Princess Diana’s favorite photographer and the first royal photographer from outside Britain. He’s had appearances in TV and film. Patrick’s amazing career shows no sign of slowing down and his skill, passion and eye are a complete joy to behold for anyone who loves fashion. His work captures its essence.

 “When you’re a fashion photographer, you must inspire a dream,” Patrick Demarchelier said. “With Dior Haute Couture, the dream is already there.”

Dior Couture

Dior Couture

Dior Couture | Charlize Theron

Dior Couture

Dior Couture

Maryna Linchuk | Vogue Russia

Karlie Kloss and Abbey Lee Kershaw | Donna Karan Spring 2011 Campaign

Christy Turlington | Vogue UK

Karlie Kloss | Vogue

Nadja Auerman | Harper's Bazaar

Emma Watson | Vogue

“Every woman looks more beautiful, and more like herself,
through Demarchelier’s lens.” – Anna Wintour

 

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New York Fashion Designer Alex London | Wide Awake

Photographer: Zhang Jingna | Stylist: Sansyrae St. Martin/Plutino Group
MUAH: Vanessa Jarman/Page One Management
Model: Natasha Yaroslava/Ford
Wardrobe: Alex London

Alex London is a NYC based designer that has been featured in New York Fashion Week, a Vogue gallery exhibition, Harper's Bazaar Vietnam, Kat Deluna's new hit single "Wanna See U Dance", and Z!NK Magazine March cover featuring Gossip Girl's very own fashion icon Taylor Momsen. Alex has attended Parsons the New School as well as F.I.T's precollege and various internships.

Photographed by GL Wood | Styled by Lisa Jarvis
Photo Assistant Alex Benigno | Stylist Assistant Sandra Emilcar | MUA Vincent
Model: Taylor Momsen | Dress: Alex London | ZINK Magazine

Currently, Alex London is holding a fundraiser to help bring the new Fall | Winter 2013 collection to New York Fashion Week in February, but needs YOUR help to do so!

You can make a private donation via the designers online fundraiser from the hugely popular event and fundraising website indiegogo. There are rewards for all levels of donations starting at 1 dollar and maxing out at 10,000. All contributions will be greatly rewarded with everything from signed canvas prints to private classes on hand sewing and fashion illustration.

http://www.indiegogo.com/alexlondon

Photographer: Julia Comita

Photographer: Sinsong Xi | Style/Wardrobe: Alex London | MUA: Lisa Jarvis
Hair: Takeo Suzuki | Model: Sietska @ Fenton Moon

Jonathan: What's your creative process like when beginning a collection? What part for you is where the magic happens?

Alex: Uhh.... I don't know....  It just happens... I'll sleep.. wake up... remember a dream.. and there we go. Just sort of happens. But I sleep... a lot... I love sleep... If I'm too tired, the magic's not there. Sometimes I'll make dresses in my sleep. Literally... dream first, so I know what I'm going to do in my head beforehand, then I don't waste any time...  But usually, I end up over sleeping so I just can't win either way :P


Jonathan: Why is fashion your choice for artistic expression? What do love about fashion?
 

Alex London: I just LOVE it... I love that fashion is something real, more so than any other art form. It's something you can put on at the end of the day and become a part of.

Photographer: Stian Foss | Stylist: Lisa Jarvis

Jonathan:  Okay... you have carte blanche for an editorial... what magazine? And whose on your team? MUAH, Stylist, Photographer...

Alex London: Easy!! Italian Vogue - shot at the Cologne Cathedral
Photographer: Steven Meisel
Stylist: (my bff) Lisa Jarvis
Makeup: Misha Shahzada
Hair: Takeo Suzuki
Model: Tereza Janakova

Photographer: Julia Comita | Styling/Wardrobe/Hair: Alex London | MUA: Lisa Jarvis | Model: Rachel Jean

Jonathan:  What has been your biggest "wow" moment career-wise so far?
 Alex London: My stuff being pulled and shot for Vogue this past Sunday, I was on set for 5 mins. to pick up stuff for the shoot the next day... just to be pulled over and told " we're shooting you're top next.. don't spazz out or tell anyone you're the designer." I saw the girl dressed... and had to keep myself from squealing... It took a loooot of self restraint.

Photographer: Zhang Jingna | Stylist: Sansyrae St. Martin/Plutino Group
MUAH: Vanessa Jarman/Page One Management
Model: Natasha Yaroslava/Ford
Wardrobe: Alex London

Jonathan: Who is the one person in life you would say inspired you most?

Alex London: Alexander McQueen, design-wise... but really... I'd have to say my friends... both past and present. 

Jonathan: Just want to thank Alex for her time and join us in supporting her dream. 
 
You can support Alex at indiegogo or check out her latest work at her online Shop.
You can also visit Alex on Facebook and Twitter. xoxo

Photographer: Zhang Jingna | Stylist: Sansyrae St. Martin/Plutino Group
MUAH: Vanessa Jarman/Page One Management
Model: Natasha Yaroslava/Ford
Wardrobe: Alex London

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