The
new book, Effortless Style, reveals June Ambrose’s secrets to help
anyone exude genuine celebrity power, regardless of body type or budget. From
selecting the perfect bra for a v-neck dress to how to incorporate the latest
trends into your wardrobe, June’s tricks of the trade enable the average Joe or
Joanne to feel and look like a star. The book is published by Simon Spotlight
Entertainment. June landed her first job as a stylist while interning at Uptown MCA Records in 1990. One day, someone walked into the office asking for a fashion stylist. Despite having no prior knowledge of the term, June knew her intuitions were spot on and quickly learned the ropes.
In no time, June was styling photo shoots and music videos for The Backstreet Boys, R. Kelly, Ruben Studdard, Jamie Foxx, and Luther Vandross. June’s distinctive outfits upped the ante for music videos, bringing luxury high fashion to a genre known mostly for low-budget, street looks.
You’re always working on something new, what was the last thing you did?
I helped on Mary J. Blige’s new video a couple of weeks ago and we’re now getting ready for the Billboard Awards in Las Vegas.
Have you always been interested in fashion?
Pretty much! My grandmother had an amazing collection of evening gowns and I used to cut them up to make dresses for my dolls and I was always getting in trouble for that. I was always interested in fashion but not consciously enough that I wanted to be involved with it for a living but I knew I wanted to be a part of it in some way.
How did you get to fashion from working in a bank?
After high school the job was offered to me by the principal in my school and the salary was so great I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I knew it would be rewarding to make the transition from education to a career working in a bank. It was the best decision I made because it really helped me to understand the corporate environment.
You had an internship at MCA after working in investment banking, what happened then?
I did an internship with them because I wanted to get out of the corporate environment and do something more creative. It was a very short lived internship because I was in the right place at the right time. Someone who was on another label came into the office asking for a stylist and even though I didn’t have a large portfolio they gave me the job because I was new and fresh.
How did you climb the ladder?
You start slow but then it picks up. The industry is about building contacts. Once you have one client and impress them, they will pass your name on to someone else. Every project I worked on meant something to my career. I gradually moved on to bigger and better things. At first there wasn’t much money in it but I got the chance to build my porfolio, see some of the shows and meet designers.
What’s your process when you first have a new client?
I like to listen to the music or see the advertising and think about what the music is like, who it appeals to, what the age demographic is, then meet the photographer or video director. I then think about whether we’re shooting interior or exterior and in black and white or colour. There are a lot of details I need to make the project magical. It’s personal, so I like to have one on ones with the artists and discuss what their vision is.
Who has been your favourite person to style so far?
I have many but I’ve been working a lot with Mary J. Blige recently and I admire her professionalism and having a great sense of who she is. Missy Elliott is also a wonderful person and thinks outside the box. It’s been a great creative outlet for me to work with them on their videos.
You were the costume designer for Mariah Carey’s tour; what was she like to work with?
Mariah is wonderful; she has a very strong mind and knows what she wants. She’s one of those artists who come up with ideas.
What do you think of the Size Zero concept in the modelling world?
I love high fashion and I think it’s a point of reference but it’s taken way too seriously. It’s not a good idea to duplicate a size zero body. The colours and ideas that some designers come up with are outrageous and it’s not a way to live. Pin-up girls today are voluptuous and sexy and men today want to see curves. As long as you’re healthy and are not starving yourself to fit into clothing in your wardrobe, it’s fine.
Do you think that fashion is to blame for negative body images?
There’s so much shown on TV. It’s propaganda and it’s in your face constantly so it definitely alters your perception of yourself and what you should look like. Children have to be taught to love their bodies and work with them. There are campaigns advertising normal sized women now which is a step in the right direction. It’s important to show different types of people in fashion magazines as well to show that women do not have to be so thin. There are models that look amazing and that’s their career but I’d like to see a realistic approach to the everyday woman in fashion and show people how to dress for their body size. I’m never going to be really tall but I feel grand wearing some heels.
Tell me about your book, what kind of advice do you give?
I talk about all of these issues in my book and I deal with the emotional marriage between clothes and a person. It’s talking to the reader to help them find themselves and get from point A to B and that it won’t happen overnight but if you gain knowledge on how to put together a look, you will have effortless style.
What is your top fashion tip?
Never leave the house without sunglasses! I think eyewear is the most mysterious and regal accessory you can have. When you don’t have time for makeup it gives you the drama you need in an instant. Even if it’s cloudy and grey you can just change the lenses to a lighter shade, you don’t have to be blacked out all the time. I like Christian Dior and I buy a lot of vintage eyewear as well.
What is the most important piece of clothing that every woman should have in her wardrobe?
A Louis Vuitton trench coat. When it’s really cold you can have layers underneath and it works in every season. It will never go out of style as long as it’s not plaid. It’s good to have a classic black dress for evening wear; you can never go wrong with that.
What do you like to wear when you’re relaxing?
I have a pair of amazing jeans that fit like skin. I like to wear them with my platforms and a black turtle neck which is quite simple. The edge comes from my coat and sunglasses.
What are your opinions on people who wear tracksuits to go out?
I think trainers are great for when you’re working out. I think women should be more creative than wearing jogging suits.
Who are your favourite designers?
I love Jean Paul Gaultier and Yves Saint Laurent. I love Tom Ford dearly; he created the collection from Gucci. I also like Balenciaga. I mix and match designers. I like boutique shopping and shopping in Europe and Manhattan. There is a lot of character on the streets of New York.
Have you ever thought of starting your own label?
I am currently working on my own collection. I’ve designed so many things for other people over the years I thought I would start putting my own pieces together.
What does fashion mean to you?
It’s about interpretation. Fashion means nothing to me until the clothes are on the body of a person. If you put on some clothing and it doesn’t look right then it’s not meant for you. I believe everyone can have effortless style.
June Ambrose’s book ‘Effortless Style’ is available now.
www.juneambrose.com
By Rashmi Shastri - Nov 2006