About Fabio
Mercurio
Fabio was born in
Sardinia, but lived in Sicily until 1997 and resides in Bologna for past 15
years during which he attended the Academy of Fashion and Costume finishing in
2000. Once in the real world, Fabio got his break designing several collections
as an assistant in small design studios around the area.
A sample of Fabio's early work in fashion
A sample of Fabio's early work in fashion
For a time, he worked
in several showrooms and eventually returned to his first passion, the design of leather handbags. His career path took him to a company where he
was entrusted to do an advertising campaign which he nursed himself personally,
and found a calling. From there he started working in photo books and taking on
other small projects, now Fabio has moved to television commercials and
advertising campaigns, but he still have many things to accomplish….the journey
has only just begun.
Fabio's work in television
In his own words...
"Style? I always try to be simple, I do not like
complicated overworked stuff, I prefer to focus on an accessory, a bow tie, a
belt, a brooch... When I work I try not to complicate the figure, create a
focal point, in harmony with proportion, that is essential to me."
Jonathan: In the world of Fashion who is your biggest hero
and influence, is there someone in your life that helped or inspired you to get
to where you are?
Fabio: Sure! I have some very specific reference
models! The career Grace
Coddington is definitely admired, what I’d want to be, I love all her great
work with its styling, the woman is definitely tough, likes to break the rules
and willing to take a lot of risks!! I also love Lucinda Chambers, her innate
class and often follow the work of Arianne
Phillips, which I appreciate very well as costume designer.
Jonathan: When a new project comes in, can you share a
little of your creative process? How do you decide on a look or direction for a
product?
Fabio: I like to engage people on a photo shoot, I
like to control every aspect, from lighting to set design, the harmony of a
beautiful picture is the synergy of many aspects. We must carefully consider what
you want to communicate, It's always important to talk with the customer and
satisfy him in every respect, be very cooperative which is super important when
working in teams.
Jonathan: What was the funniest thing to ever seen happen
on set?
Fabio: I have a very long list of these, Once a model was
dead tired from what must have been a very light night out… couldn’t keep his
eyes open to save his life and continually fell asleep all over the set, that
was classic. Another time this poor model was whining and crying for her shoes were
made too small. It was by accident, but she hated me all the whole time, the
looks she gave me but I just couldn’t help but laugh.
Jonathan: What has been a favorite moment in your career
so far?
Fabio: Well, for sure this time. I am working on an
editorial for a new magazine in Milan, it's all top secret but I'll keep you
informed, at the same time I'm taking care of an advertising campaign that
takes away a lot of energy even though I prefer to work for independent
photographers, there is a lot of creativity and freedom of expression, buuuuut
work is work.
Jonathan: You still have much to do, where do you see
yourself in the future? Say in 10 years?
Fabio: OMG, yes! There is always something to learn
and do. I can not imagine my future, I'd love to work with some of the big
names in photography of course, besides that, what would be a great
satisfaction for me is I want to work as a costume designer for film and music
video. I might have to move for this to happen. I just think that failing to
follow your dreams, you miss out on a fantastic future.
Jonathan: What advice would give to someone wanting to
start a career as a stylist?
Fabio: We must study hard and train our eye to
elegance, doing
research, traveling, observing everything. The best trends are born on the
street and on the street you have to be there to see them! Being humble people
is crucial. There is always something more to learn, and bullying your way
through will not serve you well.
You can find Fabio on Facebook and for more
information on working with him, please visit his web site, FabioMercurio.com or email him and say hello J
