STYLIST SPOTLIGHT FT. KIERA LIBERATI

Welcome to Stylist Spotlight! Ever wanted behind-the-scenes access into the styling world? You're in the right place then! Every month, we catch up with a celeb stylist to talk expert styling tips AND get their take on the freshest ASOS trends – coz who better to ask for new-season style advice? Peep their faves and learn more about them below!!

 

'Tis the season for dressing ✨fancy✨!! So, we simply had to talk partywear with fabulous stylist Kiera Liberati (@kieraliberati) for episode 5 of Stylist Spotlight! Kiera knows all about dressing up, having been behind some of Julie Adenuga, J Hus and Ardee's hottest red-carpet looks... and that's not even the full roster 🤪 Keep reading to find out what's in her BNO bag (we're v nosy OK) and watch the full ep on YT ft. Kiera and our host, Charley 🖋️

Hey Kiera! We can’t wait to pick your brain 🧠 How did you get into styling?
Hiya ASOS! Well, I studied Fashion Design at college, but I just didn't have much of an attention span to make a garment from start to finish. So, I went on to study Fashion Styling with Hair and Makeup, and I was much more into the concept stage and art direction. After that, I interned (I lied to get my internship and pretended to live in London... I didn't 🤫 I had to get a train two hours in, two hours back every day).

Wow, that's dedication. How did you get into styling music artists?
I was still interning, then somebody hit me up on this website called Model Mayhem looking for a stylist for a grime artist called Ghetto (AKA *the* Ghetts!) I'm the biggest grime fan, so ofc I said yes and now he's my best friend and my longest client.

We love to see it. Do you have any standout career moments so far?
The MOBOs – I'd watched it my whole life, so to be styling at the awards aged 20 was huge. I'd say styling J Hus' album, Common Sense, was a big deal too. We were just the closest unit.

And you still had time to start a brand – Liberati – on top of that?!
Yep, starting my brand was a big thing, opening my own studio was a *reaaally* big thing. I'm often like, 'Wow, I can't believe I've actually done these things!"

Have you ever been starstruck?
No. I don't get starstruck, that's just their job. I have had some awkward things that have happened to me though...

Go on, spill ☕️
When I was just starting out, me and my friend, who's a photographer, got free tickets to go to this festival in Spain. I was gassed backstage, so when this person came walking off stage, I stopped, and said: “How are you? How's your mum?" And it was Dizzee Rascal.

Stop...
I obviously listened to Boy in da Corner my whole childhood. I felt like I knew him, but he didn't know me – I was so embarrassed. But it didn't matter. He acted like he knew me, too.

Fake it until you make it 🤭 Do you have any lessons for any budding stylists you've learnt along the way?
I would say decide if you really want it, because I worked for years for FREE. I know nowadays it's frowned upon, but I genuinely think that you'll learn more assisting than you would at uni. Just soak it up and make yourself indispensable, and they're never going to want to let you go.

Pearls of wisdom 😌 So, we’re here to talk all things party season! What’s your BNO prep like?
If I have a whole day off, I'll go to the gym in the morning, go to the nail shop and then have a really nice bubble bath 🧼 I normally do my hair, leave it in rollers, and then have a lil drink while doing my makeup. I don't normally have days like that tho, I've usually got 40 mins to turn myself from a 5 to a 10.

You’re ALWAYS a 10, bb! What would you carry like in your BNO bag?
An affordable lip gloss, always (never expensive because I'll lose it). The NYX ones are SO good!! Next, a mini perfume. I like to have a little spritz on the night out [ed’s note: we’re loving the KAYALI Eden Sparkling Lychee ATM], and a hairband because normally I'll get bored of my hair being down.

That’s a pro trip right there! How do you make a party-season look your own? 
Just add a heel. I love dressing up. I would never even go to dinner without a heel.

 

🎀 See Kiera's tips on finding *the* dream party look below 🎀