“Students have quite a romantic idea of stylists. It becomes clear quite quickly that on a practical level, it’s actually quite hard work.” – Philip Clarke
via GQ
The image of the designer as the change-maker is synonymous with fashion, from namesake labels, media coverage, to archives. They are perceived as the main thinkers in the realm of clothes. However—often less credited— stylists are responsible for shaping looks by brands and the wardrobes of celebrities and the public. Behind the scenes, they play a quintessential role in experimenting with compositions, using clothes as their medium.
Yuri Nosho
Yuri Nosho is a stylist from Okayama, Japan, and is currently based in London. On one occasion, a photographer invited Yuri to a personal shoot, and she discovered how much she enjoyed shaping looks. This inspired her to pursue styling without a formal fashion education; Yuri is entirely self-taught, absorbing everything she sees—magazines, social media, and different visual references. Her work explores the tension between fragility and strength, creating experimental silhouettes that are both raw and poetic. Through narrative-driven styling, Yuri seeks to capture intimate human emotions while pushing the boundaries of form and texture.
"I draw inspiration mainly from illustrators, games, anime, and manga. I also pay close attention to everyday scenery, always seeking hints from what surrounds me. Essentially, any visual information that captures my interest becomes a source of inspiration." - Yuri Nosho
Yuri's work is playful but visually striking, chaotic yet cohesive. Graphic or fishnet leggings, short skirts, and layered pieces are all key elements of her work. The mixing of prints, textures, and colors is energizing, like an office outfit that’s just as fit for a rave. The clashing, randomness, and multitude of influences produce an element of surprise.
As a stylist, Yuri cultivated a strong visual language, blending her own creativity with the designer’s intention behind the clothing and elevating it into a stronger piece of work. Furthermore, she doesn't just combine items, but mixes them with her own ideas to transform them into something greater. Another way she does this is through experiments with hair and makeup—or face styling—incorporating objects like microchips, playing cards, and metal spikes.
Amera Narday
Amera Narday is a stylist based in Toronto, possibly moving to London. Like Yuri, she had no intention to become a stylist; Amera originally studied social work. Meanwhile, friends and family would compliment her style, asking for advice. Following the unforeseen pandemic, Amera found herself on sets doing creative work. As a result, she returned to school for her fashion arts and business diploma. Now, she is developing a compelling portfolio while obtaining her degree.
Previously, Amera worked for Balenciaga as a Sales and Client Advisor, imagining looks with the store’s inventory. She was able to dress up to exhibit new products, while creating a better sales experience for clients. Thus, her stylist position helped form connections between the clothes and the customers. Despite Amera’s enjoyment from the experience—a full-time job—she was ready to pursue her hobbies and own creative projects.
Amera’s work has evolved from being more commercial to representing the space she is now in. It’s avant-garde, experimental fashion with elements of deconstruction, mixed textures, and a strong focus on unconventional silhouettes. This fuses with her inspirations: old runway shows, anime, and fashion influencers like @cannelle and @laravioletta.
“I want my work to be “street princess”. Think Paradise Kiss, Gossip Girl, ALL—IN Studios with a street vibe.” - Amera
The role of the stylist changed after the pandemic. Microtrends in fashion consumption has produced quicker turnarounds for new styles, which Amera believes has made it difficult for her work. This heavy saturation of ideas online obstructs originality. Despite this, Amera continues to explore her individual vision, working on meaningful projects, and growing as a creator.
Eve Lantana
Another stylist pushing fashion is Eve Lantana, the director and stylist of KAKKO, two shops in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo, offering vintage, antique, and designer-brand pieces. Through experimental styling and displays, KAKKO explores memory, structure, and the relationship between space and the body.
“For me, styling is a means of visualizing sculptural thought through clothing—it's a medium of expression. In the process, I sketch abstract schemas that capture texture, silhouette, and spatial relationships, and alternate between two- and three-dimensional perspectives to bring forth forms that deviate from conventional norms.” - Eve Lantana
Eve’s work begins by ordering pieces with signs of wear—fading, damage, and structural distortions—from vintage and antique markets in Japan and abroad. Their individuality and imperfection have structural potential, and basic silhouettes are reinterpreted to sculpt the dissonance between time and form. Once he encounters them in person, a concept emerges. Along this process, Eve draws influence from early 20th-century methodologies, deconstruction, Anti‑Architecture, and transdisciplinary endeavors like the Any Conference in a contemporary context. Furthermore, his background in architecture translates to his work, as compositions achieve more with less, focusing on the body and its relationship to space.
“I became fascinated by clothing as a form of “movable space” or “second skin,” which led me to styling. I see styling as an act of deciphering the layers of memory and traces embedded in garments and building new compositions or narratives through them—an act rich with sculptural potential.” - Eve Lantana
Through Eve’s daily engagement at KAKKO, he has noticed that fashion is evolving into a form of thought-land attitude. People are shifting their focus from ephemeral trends toward how one’s personal philosophy or background manifests in their style. Thus, a transition from fashion as form toward fashion as concept. This phenomenon supports Eve’s ethos that fashion, at its core, is about forming and expressing one’s character.
Furthermore, there is no single correct way to style. Instead, Eve suggests engaging with your own senses, body, and lifestyle. Even discomfort or misfit can be fertile ground. Trust your intuition and enjoy the process of adjusting distance and angle from what feels “off”; that exploration is often where individuality and appeal emerge. This message is apparent in his practice, with compositions that evoke a sense of instability—something that can only exist in that exact moment—and that create perceptual shifts for the viewer.
Namevarg
Namevarg is a stylist and image maker based in Shanghai. She entered the fashion industry as a photographer and later a videographer. A love for buying clothes and dressing up sparked her shift in creative role. In addition, an affinity for making random handworks helped form her present style.
Namevarg’s work feels magical, ethereal, even fantasy-like. Her styling for personal looks and fashion brands is photographed in complementary, often surreal, environments. Layering is the most significant element, from combinations of materials to layers of images in her videos. Shear and solid garments create changes in opacity, and their varying proportions introduce unique silhouettes. Namevarg finds inspiration from various sources: natural or marine creatures, architecture, and installations.
“I love the shape of them and how they combine the texture of materials. Or usually, just some random stuff I spotted on the street can be my inspiration. I also get inspired from films and stage performances, though it’s hard to explain how I transform them into a physical styling.” - Namevarg
Lots of her pieces come from flea markets, the one destination she has to visit when traveling. The vintage pool is full of treasures; however, they are limited. In response, Namevarg has paid more attention to emerging brands. She tastefully mixes the old with the new, like Jean Paul Gaultier, Maison Margiela, and Vivienne Westwood with Kiko Kostadinov, Paolina Russo, and Victor Clavelly.
“Many brands are losing their individuality to please the customers, which is leading to a high similarity in fashion. But I’m glad there’s still many upcoming new styles and brands to engage with.” - Namevarg
Furthermore, Namevarg pushes how clothes can be, utilizing them regardless of their time and conventional use. She believes that designers consider more of the product itself, while the stylists build a portrait of how customers are going to dress. They present a conceptual image of what the brand wants to convey. Therefore, stylists provide second understandings of the designs, exploring their greater potential.
The four talented individuals with diverse backgrounds, inspirations, and processes happened to discover their passion for styling. Their personal looks incorporate various designers, vintage brands, and objects, experimenting with clothes and expressing their visions. Moreso, individual looks test the waters for future dress, inspiring other fashion thinkers. The stylist’s imagination fuses with brands they work with, rethinking ways to showcase their collections and how customers wear them. Therefore, the stylist has a significant position in shaping a designer’s work and how we dress.
