- A visual style safari -
RACHAEL RUEL.
With the new season just around the corner, The Suited meets Rachael Ruel to talk fashion and some common style mistakes.
To get to the bottom of all the fuss about the heatwave trends I caught up with fashion enthusiast and student Rachael, who basically eats, breathes and sleeps fashion, to chat about her experiences in the fashion industry and also some new trends to anticipate for the upcoming season.
1. WHO IS RACHAEL RUEL, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF ?
Rachael is a young God fearing lady. An art student majoring in interior design
​2. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?
Haha, this is usually a trick question for me because most times I really don't know how to describe it. l love to wear clothes that bring out my personality calm and very edgy. I also love classy, feminine and mostly stripes and vibrant colors.
3. DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF AS A DESIGNER OR MORE OF A STYLIST ?
A stylist but I'm working on my designing skills.​
4. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START STYLING ?
I drew my inspiration from Blake von D, I'd try to do what she's doing.come up with outfits, take photos and post and through other people's positive feedback I realized I had a talent that was untapped and decided to try styling other people
5. WHAT DOES YOUR WORK AS A STYLIST ENTAIL ?
Listening to what the client wants, and coming to an agreement on which style is suitable for them.
Researching on the agreed style trying to create new stuff or blend different styles that will match her personality and character in relation to what they want.
Presenting my idea and shopping for the outfit.
6. WHAT'S YOUR BUCKET LIST OF IDEAS TO CREATE?
Haha,I think it's best I don't expose that for now.
7. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED IN THE INDUSTRY ?
Striking a balance between what I'd like to achieve and the client's ideas.
Most client's don't really appreciate the art of styling, so at times you can't really compare the work you've done to the pay.
8. WHAT FASHION TRENDS DO YOU FEEL SHOULD BE REVIVED?
Flared jeans ,they give a bit of 70's feel to every wardrobe and add sophistication to any outfit.
9. WHAT FASHION TRENDS SHOULD BE STOPPED?
Crop tops, skin tights and fake Adidas, it's annoying and wrong.
10. WHAT DO YOU THINK THE KENYAN FASHION SCENE NEEDS?
We have good quality designs what the industry needs is to come up with a good strategy to promote local designer's both upcoming and current. To take advantage of the tourism industry by, creating more products targeted for the tourism market. Otherwise, I believe Kenya has great potential to serve the global.
11.WHICH SO FAR WOULD YOU SAY TO BE THE BEST STYLE YOU'VE PULLED OFF SO FAR?
A casual official look.A red matching suit, with a belt around the oversized coat and red chunky heels.it breaks the usual "too serious" office look and brings life to it.
12. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FASHION STYLIST?
That would have to blake von d, so that makes me a vonDee haha. I love her style she has a penchant for fun bright colors, she's classy and blends her outfits really well.
13. YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS RECENTLY FORMED "NATOTELA." WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?
Natotela is a group of stylists, what we do is bring something new to the market and enhance what is on trend .we also tell a story through our style.
14. AS A FINAL NOTE, WHAT DO YOU FEEL MAKES A GOOD FASHION STYLIST?
Knowing what is in, on the current season and seasons to come,making one your own and styling it. Understanding what the client wants and what you would want to achieve.