Hetty, is only 21, but she already has one of the most loved jobs in the fashion system: she is Junior Stylist for one of the most famous and recognized British brands: Burberry. Despite her young age, she already has had several experiences as
- Hi Hetty! Could you please introduce yourself to the GO community?
Hi, my name is Hetty Appleton-Miles. I am 21-year-old Australian Stylist, working and living in London for the past 3 years.
2.What did you study?
I actually didn’t study, I did however do a few extracurricular courses at QUT and Whitehouse Institute of Design (all in Australia). I finished high school with a high grade and was going to go to University in Sydney but instead moved across the world to gain some experience in a fashion capital first and the rest is history.
3. You worked as a Fashion Intern at many publications such as Marie Claire, Grazia, Elle, Vogue, Stylist Magazine. Could you tell us how you got these jobs, how you moved from one to another and what the role of a Fashion Intern is about?
I am very persistent and did everything I could to get my foot in the door in the fashion industry in London. I was across the world pursuing my dream so I put everything I could into learning and gaining as much experience as possible. I would email until I got a response and when I was at each internship I always showed enthusiasm and interest in continuing to intern at more places. It can be a small industry once you are in it and if prove your worth people will always help you along the way.
4. What are your tips for those who want to get an internship at a prestigious fashion magazine?
Put 100% into everything you do on the short month or 3 weeks you are with the Magazine. Time goes very quickly but the people and the impressions you make you have potential to impact can make your career.
5. You then started your career as Stylist working at Net A Porter as Online Stylist Assistant. What did you do?
I was working in the studio on the online styling team and assisted the amazing Net-A-Porter Stylist. The team at Net-A-Porter are so knowledgeable about the brands they stock and their customer audience, hence are able to create such a strong, on trend and on brand luxury online destination. Having had a background in publication houses, Net-A-Porter really ignited my love for online styling and extended my knowledge of different luxury brands and customer audiences, I like to call it educated styling.
6. You’re now Junior Stylist at Burberry. What do you do?
I work with the online styling team and we style for Burrbery.com. In short, we style the season/collection and shoot it in the studio for our customers to shop online. We work hard to create a competitive luxury shopping experience that extends into an online space.
7. What’s the difference between working as a stylist at an online retailer and working as a stylist for a brand?
You know what, even though I do work in the same online luxury space, working in house for a brand like Burberry is so different to working at an online retailer like Net-A-Porter. When styling in house the styling is much more focused on the brand and the particular customer. The styling at Burberry is very seasonal, and it is about knowing the brand and its direction and streamlining the styling throughout the company. Whereas at Net-A-Porter you get to work with lots of different amazing brands and it ends up being more up to customer and seasonal trends that interpret more of the direction of the styling. The stylist and editors also maintain a high level of brand knowledge and understanding and that certainly comes into consideration when styling. It is important to them to understand the Net-A-Porter target customer while still knowing the brands target customer and direction.
8. What do you like the most about your job?
I literally love my job and the fact that I get to style every day and be stuck behind a computer all day. I get to work with such a talented and inspiring group of people every day as well and if that doesn’t put a smile on your face I don’t know what does.
9. What do you like the most about working in fashion?
The fashion industry is ever changing and developing in the movement of the world. It is so inspiring working in the fashion industry and right in the heart of it here in London, in the fashion capital. I get to work with some of the best and the most talented and inspiring people and it is truly amazing watching ideas turn into reality.
10. What are your favorite 3 pieces you’re wearing at the office in this period?
At the moment the most worn pieces are: 1. my cowboy boots 2. a midi skirt and 3. my padded headband. 3 pieces that are very on trend at the moment but also 3 pieces great for the office. As a stylist I do take heard pride in how I present myself at work, always aim to look chic but also professional and ready to run if it is one of those crazy days. But I do love styling my outfits every day, it is all a part of the job role I think.
11. Do you have a special morning routine?
I am actually very good in the mornings and always wake up to my first alarm. My morning routine always involves coffee, podcasts, and getting to the office to get ahead of day before it’s even begun.
12. What are your tips for those who want to start a career in fashion and work as a stylist for a brand?
When working for a brand, like I said before, make sure you know get to know the brand inside out and be able to follow where the direction in which the brand is going. It is important that you understand the customer and have knowledge on the company but also be knowledgeable about what is going on in the fashion industry as a whole so that the brand is still a competitive it’s particular market. You have to love what you do and let the passion drive you. It is not an easy industry but so fulfilling. I say go for it!
