Jordanna Cobella is a hairstylist with a salon in West London, Cobella Kensington. Jordanna has worked at London, Paris and Milan Fashion week for the last 7 years and is also the author of her own book, 'The Mindful Hairdresser'.
Meet Jordanna Cobella
Who's hair would you love to get your hands on?
I love Jodie Comer. She fully endorses any character given to her with the utmost sincerity. She’s inside the mind of her characters and you can read it in her eyes. I'd love to get her camera ready.
A never-ending source of inspiration?
1950s - 1970s women. So powerful.
How do you want your work to be perceived?
Much like Banksy and Wes Anderson, I would love my work to be recognised aesthetically, but also open to the viewer's perceptions and interpretations.
We asked Jordanna to share her 'bucket list concept'—the creative vision that she hopes to one day bring to life...
It was all just a dream...
I love emotive shooting and I’m often influenced by political movements and current affairs. Each collection I shoot has an underlying meaning for the viewer to unpack and interpret—it's all about telling a relevant story for me. It keeps my work original and constantly evolving. I’ve done a collection on Alexander McQueen, a Brexit-inspired shoot and a piece that captured the raw beauty of lockdown.
My next shoot will be playful and eccentric, based on living in a dream world. I would shoot it in the LA desert and at the infamous Beverly Hills Hotel. I'm envisioning a very Wes Anderson-inspired aesthetic. The characters will be over the top with cliché roles and tongue-in-cheek humour.
Find more of Jordanna's up-dos on her Instagram or her website.
Gemma McLean is a style coach and wardrobe consultant; and fashion psychology is her secret weapon. Gemma's mission is to equip clients with a mood-boosting wardrobe that encapsulates what it means to be you.
Fashion has long been dismissed as a frivolous pursuit, and therefore the fashion industry's potential to contribute to the wellness industry has been largely dismissed. However, Gemma is fully aware of the power of dress—when approached mindfully, our wardrobes have the power to make us feel confident, positive and inspired. Gemma's approach to styling helps you do good, as well as feel good. If your style is a true reflection of self, it is considerably less vulnerable to manipulation by trends—your shopping habits should support you, not the fast fashion cycle. For Gemma, personal style manifests as a wardrobe that feels grounded and comfortable—comfort is always key.
We spoke to Gemma about the transformational power of dress, the benefits of sustainable fashion, and the best clothing markets to mooch...
Personal awakening
I can’t remember the exact moment I discovered fashion psychology, but once I did I just wanted to learn more. I read as many books and articles as I could about the psychological processes affected by clothing and how what we’re wearing affects our everyday life. I conducted my own research by keeping a diary of my outfits and how I felt that day—it was such a fascinating process.
Colourful character
I wear a lot of beige and brown—which I feel is a very grounding colour palette. But I love a pop of blue, yellow or red when I’m needing more of a boost. Wearing colour can be both a reflection of and an influence on how we feel.
Overlooked self-care
Getting dressed is absolutely an act of self-care. Self-care takes effort, as does getting dressed and presenting ourselves to the world. It is that act of doing something for ourselves and our well-being that shows we care for ourselves.
Changing perceptions
Right now, there are not many people talking about the psychology of fashion in mainstream media—but that is changing. Hopefully, more people will begin to utilise the power of dress positively in their lives. Through my content, I encourage people to look internally to figure out who they are and how they want to reflect that through their clothing. It is tough to switch from mindless to intentional shopping but it can become a habit over time—awareness is the first step. Getting dressed is something we do every day—we might as well benefit from it!
Out with the old
Clients can be reluctant to part with old pieces. My tip is to store items away for some time, say a month or three months, and then revisit them with this question: does this item reflect the best version of me? If the answer is no, then it’s time to let go. If you’re not sure yet, or just not ready to let go, that’s okay. Set it aside again for another few weeks or months and keep checking in with it.
Trends? So last season
A lot of my clients come to me because they’re tired of chasing trends—they're looking for something more stable in their wardrobes. My approach is to build a core 'style uniform'—key items which don’t tend to be trend-led, such as jeans, blazers, shirts and midi skirts. Once you’re happy with your staple pieces, you can add in a few trending items each season if you wish to keep on top of trends. Often, clients are so glad to have found something that works for them that they don’t actually want to clutter their wardrobes with new, trendy pieces.
Slowing down
Attitudes towards fast fashion are changing and most people want to make better decisions when it comes to shopping. However, being able to shop from ethical and sustainable brands is a privilege that not everyone can afford. In order for consumers to make better choices, we need better options made accessible to all. I feel there needs to be more legislation in place to ensure ethical standards are being met across the board.
Repurpose > replace
Simply knowing how to look after your clothing makes pieces last a lot longer—which of course means they’ll need to be replaced less. Sometimes we just need to find new ways to style something for it to feel fresh in our wardrobes again—I find Pinterest to be a great source of inspiration.
(Mindful) shopping spree
I'm obsessed with Vinted for pre-loved finds—especially when I’m looking for something in particular. I also love going to Camden Market or rooting around charity shops—I love a good rummage.
Resource recommendations
For anyone looking to learn more about the psychology of dress I recommend: One of the first books I read—You Are What You Wear by Dr Jennifer Baumgartner—and one of the most recent books I read—Dress Your Best Life by Dawnn Karen. YouTube is a great place to get started too.
Is it time for a wardrobe refresh? Gemma provides a wealth of tips on her Youtube channel. Find more information about Gemma's services on her website.
Tiana Cvetkovic is a Toronto based fashion stylist. Tiana works with the philosophy that there is no such thing as being overdressed and her work is often marked by a refreshing pop of colour!
Meet Tiana Cvetkovic
Which designer would you love to collaborate with?
There are so many amazing designers, it is hard for me to choose just one! To name a few of my favourites: Rick Owens, Issey Miyake, Ottolinger and Versace.
What's the best part of your job?
One of my favourite things about styling is collaborating with the people I am working with and putting creative visions together.
I want everyone to be in love with what they are wearing and feel their best. I love it when the people I style look and feel confident.
A famous face you'd love to style?
I would love to style Drake (I’m from Toronto, so this is a must) or Bella Hadid. They’re both creative geniuses and I think we would work really well together. I believe we could put together some super awesome looks.
How do you want your work to be remembered?
Fashion is a form of art and expression. I want my work to evoke feelings and emotions. I want it to spark conversations and inspire people to ask questions.
When life gives you lemons
Italy is one of my favourite places in the world and lemon trees are one of my favourite things. I would love to style a shoot that combines the two. I would bring this concept to life on a lemon farm on the Amalfi Coast.
When it comes to styling, I absolutely love working with a variety of colours, shapes, and textures. I enjoy playing around with colour blocking, layering, and mixing things that most would never think to put together. I think it would be super cool to do a shoot in this cute, charming location but have the clothing (and hair and makeup) be completely contrasting and funky! I’m a big believer in wearing whatever you want, wherever you want, and I think that would be a cool message to come out of this shoot. We should all feel free and confident in our fashion choices no matter the occasion!
Who would wear a crazy high fashion outfit to a lemon farm? Probably no one… but who cares!
This specific vision was inspired by the movie Call Me By Your Name. I love the romantic and charming vibe that this movie exudes. Usually, my ideas derive from what is immediately around me. I get a lot of inspiration from film and television, people watching and travelling. Life can be so extraordinary when we are able to see the beauty in ordinary things and transform those things into beautiful and unique creations.
See more of Tiana's work on her Instagram.
Nicola Harrowell is an accomplished hairstylist for whom curly hair is a passion. Nicola works as a freelance hairstylist and has worked on projects across film, editorial and runway.
Meet Nicola Harrowell
Who would you love to get camera-ready?
I don’t usually dream of working with specific celebrities because you don't know if you’ll gel well with someone until you actually work with them.
I do love the people I have worked with already: Lashana Lynch, Nicôle Lecky, Iman Perez, Jessica Plummer, Indya Moore, Lauren Ridloff, Olive Grey, Toheeb Jimoh and Alexandra Shipp to name a few. I’d love to work with them all again in the future!
I also met icon Kate Moss (of course, she is fabulous), whilst I was assisting Anthony Turner. I would move heaven and earth to accommodate it if I was ever given the chance to work with her again.
But regardless of who I'm working with, I just like to have tons of hair to play with and manipulate. I'm also quite obsessed with red/ginger hair!
Oh! I'm a big fan of Sir David Attenborough too!
What do you love about your job?
I genuinely love going to work! I brainstorm a lot before I get to a shoot in order to get my mind working and thinking outside the box.
What excites me is the energy on set, the hair itself and then whether or not I can go crazy with it!
What do you hope to achieve with your work?
I’d LOVE some more Vogue covers! But really, I want my work to make a mark in showcasing people as the best versions of themselves. I love not suppressing people's natural texture and colour—I like enhancements rather than coverups.
Hair is very political to me because of its historic relationship with racism.
I recommend that everyone reads 'Twisted: The Tangled History of Black Hair Culture by Emma Dabiri'. It's not just a book about hair—it’s extremely educational on what hair means to people and the injustices people continue to face due to the follicles they were born with.
We asked Nicola to share the creative vision on her bucket list, the editorial concept that she hopes to one ay bring to life...
Big hair, don't care
One of my dream concepts is based on the Goddess, Lady Godiva.
I would love to have a person on a horse with a huge amount of hair (real and added extensions) cascading down their body. I’d love it to be shot on a cobbled street with people fully clothed in formal wear in the background.
I have always been obsessed. I made my logo based on me and Lady Godiva!
Who wants to give me the budget?
If you want to fund Nicola's Godiva tribute shoot, or simply find more of her work, check out her Instagram.
Rasa Balciunaite is a Lithuania-born, Birmingham-based fashion stylist. Her work can be found on the pages of pop-culture magazines like Flanelle and PhotoVogue.
Meet Rasa Balciunaite
If you could style one iconic fashion piece, what are you choosing?
It's impossible to pick just one item! Definitely something from Gianni Versace's 90s collections, such as the Bondage dress or the Sea Shell dress. Absolutely iconic!
I do also love Mugler and the current direction they're taking. I would happily style the majority of their current pieces, as well as the unforgettable work of Thierry Mugler in the 90s.
What designers would you love to work with?
I would love to collaborate with Beckett Fogg and Piotrek Pansczczyk, the designers behind AREA. Their work is incredibly inspiring and represents my aesthetic. I love how they combine glam and street style with a twist of playfulness and pop.
Another brand would be Gucci, of course. I love how Alessandro Michelle combines unexpected pieces together. He creates a sort of a messy, yet cohesive look. It's an art.
What celebrity would you love to work with?
If I had a chance, Rihanna. To be honest, I think I would learn more from her! She's my fashion icon and I think together we would create some true statement looks for her. I love how she's taking risks and mixing styles, yet still keeping her own flair. I think she'd be a dream to work with!
How do you want to be remembered within the industry?
I want to be remembered as an image architect, like Law Roach. I'd like to be recognised as a trendsetter with a true passion. I pride myself on elevating people's styles and defining their aesthetics. I hope that is remembered.
We asked Rasa to share her 'bucket list concept'—the creative vision that she hopes to one day bring to life...
Secret Shore
I'm planning a concept shot by the beach—it's a location that I haven't shot at before but would absolutely love to. There's just something wonderful about being by the sea, especially when the weather is right and the golden hour is present. I can't give out too many details on this idea, so just a teaser...seductive, mysterious, glamorous, one-with-nature, free.
As for the rest, well, you'll have to wait and see!
Claire Cook is a multi-disciplinary creative working across graphic design, photography, styling and creative direction. Claire runs her own styling & creative management studio, fittingly named Claire Cook Studio.
Meet Claire Cook
Do you have a favourite designer?
Phoebe Philo. I love her simplicity of style and her ability to distil complex design problems into simple, elegant and almost invisible solutions. Any of her old Celine pieces would be a dream to style.
What celebs would you love to style?
Zoe Kravitz and Alexa Chung—if only to have access to their insane personal closets! Also, Johnny Depp because his ring collection is iconic. I've recently watched 'Why didn't they ask Evans' and so I have to say Lucy Boynton too. I'm hooked on her personality and general charm.
How do you want your work to be remembered?
I'd love to be known for a unique, timeless (in the sense that it endures) aesthetic that feels human and genuine. I am inspired by so many different mediums (poetry, ceramics, books, art, online platforms like blogs, Pinterest and Instagram, food & drinks, etc.)
I hope that variety comes across in my work and feels holistic in that inspires your mind, body and soul.
We asked Claire to share her 'bucket list concept'—the creative vision that she hopes to one day bring to life...
Modern Art
Walking through the Louvre is so invigorating and inspiring yet, at the same time, it feels so calm. It is the universal symbol of elegance and art history, located in the most romantic city in the world (IMHO).
I'd love to do a shoot recreating classic oil paintings with modern clothes/design with a real warm, nuanced feel to each shot. Think: Art-lexa Chung.
Find more of Claire's work on her Instagram or check out her website.
When you think of an iconic logo, what comes to mind? The striking yellow of the ubiquitous golden arches? The almost audible swoosh of the Nike tick? Or maybe the crisp curve of a half-bitten apple?
We live in an age of logo-mania: mascots, monograms and mottos. But do we know the story behind any of these infamous designs? We've retraced the history of famous logos to find out how exactly they came to be...
Nike Wings
Designed by: Peter Moore
Legendary designer Peter Moore could have multiple entries on this list, but we settled upon his first claim to fame. True sneakerheads know that prior to the 'Jumpman' logo, which is synonymous with Air Jordan's today (also oft-credited to Peter Moore), there was 'Wings'.
As legend has it, Peter Moore watched a child be gifted a captain wings badge by a flight attendant as he boarded a flight. He then asked for his own badge, scribbled out the wings on the back of a napkin, added a basketball and voila!
The logo was more than just an image. It fed into the air-borne narrative that Nike masterfully cultivated: with a pair of Air Jordan's you can 'take flight' just like Michael.
Ferrari shield
Designed by: Francesco Baracca & Enzo Ferrari
The Ferrari shield was born from a chance collision between Enzo Ferrari and fellow speed-demon Francesco Baracca—or rather, his parents.
Francesco Baracca was a Major and pilot who tragically lost his life in the First World War. On the bodywork of his fighter, Baracca had painted a black prancing horse with its tail downwards—a symbol of courage. Following one of his victories, Ferrari met Mr and Mrs Baracca who told him of their late son's personal emblem. The pair suggested that if Ferrari were to paint his vehicle with the same, it would bring him good luck. Enzo Ferrari took their advice. The infamous Ferrari shield made its debut mounted on the Ferrari 125 S in 1947, now with an upward turned tail and emblazoned on top of a bright yellow background in honour of Modena, Ferrari's birth town.
Today the prancing horse is a symbol of excellence in engineering, luxury and class—so long as it's not going too fast for you to see!
Paul Smith Stripe
Designed by: Paul Smith
The tale of the Paul Smith stripe begins, as these stories so often do, with a happy accident. In the 1970s, working out of his first shop in Nottingham, Paul Smith began experimenting with different coloured threads using hand-held windings. The resulting colourful pattern is what we know today as Paul Smith's signature stripe.
Today the stripe is often reserved as a certification for premium fabrics. However, it is also an embodiment of playful innovation used to revive classic pieces with a cheeky bit of character. The classic 40-coloured stripe has been adapted into different tonal palettes and forms over the years, perhaps most notably emblazoned on a Zebra! The classic motif has stood the test of time and acts as an instant identification of Paul Smith tailoring.
Recycling logo
Designed by: Gary Anderson
22nd April 1970 marked the first Earth Day in the US. In celebration, students from around the country were encouraged to enter a competition to produce a symbol for future use on products made from recycled paper. Gary Anderson, a 23-year-old urban design student, submitted to the competition. His entry, which apparently took no longer than a day or two to design, comprised 3 arrows folded to command a triangular shape that loops continuously. Needless to say, he won!
Anderson received around $2000 for his efforts and his design was gifted to the public domain. Anderson went on to make great contributions to urban design and planning. The symbol is likened in recognisability to that of giants like McDonald's and Coca Cola, but its impact runs far deeper. The simplistic design played a big role in bringing the concept of recycling into the public eye and continues to educate people on how best to responsibly dispose of their waste.
I love NY
Designed by: Milton Glaser
In 1977, graphic designer Milton Glaser was tasked with a rather unusual commission: to brand a city. New York City was suffering from an economic lull and it was decided an effort to draw in tourism was needed. The story goes that Glaser sketched the design on an envelope in the back of a taxi.
Ironically, Glaser thought his design would be a fleeting campaign, "gone in a few months". How wrong he was.. These days you can't walk past a tourist shop without seeing an adaptation of the iconic logo. Though its prevalence baffles Glaser to this day, he describes its enduring place in pop culture as "a great pleasure". Disappointingly, Glaser never directly profited from its unanticipated success. However, his work was acknowledged with multiple awards. Notably, Glaser was the first graphic designer to ever receive the National Medal of the Arts award.
Taline Guzelian is a virtual stylist based in Boston, MA. Virtual working means Taline is able to 'source' pieces from any price range, any era and any location—an infinite wardrobe!
Meet Taline Guzelian
What iconic collection would you love to style?
As a virtual stylist, I am fortunate that I can style any item as long as I have a good image of it. I always love mixing iconic vintage pieces with today’s modern pieces.
What designers are you loving right now?
I love Giorgia Tordini & Gilda Ambrosio from The Attico, Christine Centenera of Wardrobe.NYC, Nensi Dojaka and Amina Muaddi. They are all incredibly talented and it would be such an honour to work with any of them.
Who would you love to style?
Hailey Bieber has always been a style icon to me. Her style is so effortless, cool, chic and street. I think we have similar styles, so it would be a dream to style her.
We asked Taline to share their 'bucket list concept'—the creative vision that she hopes to one day bring to life...
An ode to Armenia
A dream of mine is to shoot an editorial look in Armenia! I love my Armenian heritage, it’s the biggest aspect of my life and I am so proud and grateful for that. It would truly be a dream to merge my love for my culture with my love for styling whilst being able to showcase it on a major publication or platform.
Armenia as a country has gone through so much tragedy, whether it be the Armenian Genocide in 1915, the earthquake in 1988 or the recent war in 2020 and yet many people don’t even know that the country exists. If this dream became reality, I would hopefully introduce the beauty of Armenia to so many who are unfamiliar.
I would dress an Armenian model in traditional Armenian jewellery paired with modern, chic garments, hopefully from an emerging Armenian designer. I would keep the makeup natural with a long sleek ponytail braid. As for location, there are so many places in Armenia that would be a stunning backdrop for a shoot. There are 3 places that I have in mind:
- Sevanavank—two ancient churches founded in 874 on a hill next to Lake Sevan.
- Noravank—founded in 1105, located 2 hours outside of the city in the mountains.
- In the city of Yerevan.
But the root of the concept is much deeper than the images themselves. There are so many talented Armenians who have very successful careers in the fashion/editorial industry. I want my team of models, hair, make-up, photography and styling team to be all of Armenian descent. This is important to me because in 1915, the Armenian land, people and culture could have been erased. This concept honours the struggle and the fight our ancestors had to go through for us to succeed as a people.
I think the idea derived from the Vogue Russia, October 2015 issue. There was a Stella Maxwell spread shot in Armenia. At the time I thought it was so cool that a top tier model would go to Armenia. I didn’t get into styling until 2019 but the more I began to love the styling world, the more I realised that styling a photoshoot in Armenia with an all-Armenian team would be an amazing way to give back to our ancestors, culture and the future of Armenia.
Find style inspiration on Taline's Instagram or check out her website.
Brenda Tham is a London based fashion stylist. specialising in styling for editorial, commercial, runway, video and social media.
Brenda uses clothing as a medium of storytelling. Her work often feels futuristic but remains distinctly emblematic of her Chinese heritage.
Meet Brenda Tham
What iconic collection would you love to style?
Alexander McQueen's Spring/Summer 1998 collection.
Whose work are you loving at the moment?
Guo Pei. I'd love to collaborate with her. I think her work is absolutely stunning and it screams royalty and elegance.
A name we should know?
A model named Tin Gao. Her features are extremely unique and I find her beautiful.
How do you hope your work will be remembered?
I want my work to be remembered for my Asian aesthetic. I truly love my culture (I'm Chinese) and its traditions. I definitely want to showcase it in my work.
We asked Brenda to share her 'bucket list concept'—the creative vision that she hopes to one day bring to life...
Age of the Cyborg
I'm envisioning a futuristic dystopian cyborg world! The model will have cyborg body parts and be suspended in the air by wires/tubes, within the Large Hadron Collider.
There's been so many campaigns and shoots in the fashion industry championing sustainability and going green for the future, and that's a really good thing, but I want to see it from a different point of view. I want to create something a bit more drastic.
This concept is essentially about how, with such relentless technological advancements, we're fast approaching a dystopian future where humans will want to switch out organic body parts with stronger, faster and better robot counterparts.
Find an archive of Brenda's work on her Instagram or check out her website.
Aimee Twist is a make-up artist born and bred in London. Having worked with of-the-moment brands like Lexxola and Jaded, Aimee is at the forefront of ever-evolving modern-day beauty trends.
Meet Aimee Twist
Whose 'glam team' would you love to be a part of?
I would love to do Anya Taylor-Joy's makeup. Not only is she one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen, but she also looks great in all kinds of looks and I think you could really push the boundaries with her.
Name a timeless beauty icon...
I am a huge Pamela Anderson fan and have always been inspired by her mix of classic beauty and a bit of Rock 'n' Roll. I try to emulate this in my own work. I like to add a little bit of edge to whatever I do.
How do you want your work to be remembered?
I want my work to be remembered for being fun and inclusive. I am a firm believer that makeup is there to express yourself, in whatever way you see fit.
I love to challenge beauty standards and play with shapes and colours, but really I see makeup as an escape. I am not here to challenge people's beliefs or take a political approach, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I just want my work to be remembered for fun and inclusion of everyone.
We asked Aimee to share her 'bucket list concept'—the creative vision that she hopes to one day bring to life...
Dollhouse
Think: Plastic perfect.
In this shoot, all the models would be dressed as very 90s versions of Barbie and Ken and I'd use makeup to create a 'plastic-looking' effect. Big hair, big makeup and excess in all forms.
I would want this shot in a purpose-built real-life 'Barbie Dream House' with colourful walls and plastic furnishings, even a mechanical elevator! Essentially, it would be complete with all the things we remember from our dolls' houses growing up.
The idea derives from my love for icons of the past. I love anything glamorous and, what appears to be, perfect. If we look at the icons through time, like Marilyn Monroe for example, they often have imperfect or tragic lives. The idea of the dollhouse is that it appears to be perfect from the outside but never truly is. It’s also a nod to the current state of beauty standards. We are prone to over-editing our lives (social media, plastic surgery etc.) but I want to make people question whether any of that will ever make us truly happy...
Anh Dinh is a Berlin-based fashion stylist. Anh works with artists and commercial productions, using clothing as a way to communicate their image and goals.
Meet Anh Dinh
Which designer would you love to collaborate with?
Sydney Nwakanma from the Berlin-based brand, Emeka Suits. I truly admire what he does.
Emeka produces one-of-a-kind suits from fabric that he finds in markets in Africa. He travels regularly to find the right materials and has found opportunities to work with members of the community on his travels. I have styled his designs on several of my artists before but I would love to take it further with maybe a custom collaboration if the opportunity arises.
Who would you love to style?
My favourite thing about styling personalities is getting to collaborate with them creatively on the most intimate of topics: what they wear.
Clothes say so much about a person, so it is really important to get to know and understand my artist in order to have them look dashing and fashionable but still 100% like themselves.
So, therefore, everyone I dream of styling is someone whose personality I admire: Selena Gomez, Zendaya, Emma Watson, Anna Kendrick and Jessica Alba to name a few.
What collection will you never forget?
This goes out of my usual, but there is one collection that has stayed in my mind all these years—Chanel SS 2012. My personal epic fashion memory. Thinking of it now, I think my bucket list concept is definitely inspired by that show. Only my dream would be in pink, rather than white.
How do you want your work to be remembered?
Oh, this is so difficult to answer! I am Gemini—I am interested in so many things!
One of the biggest compliments is people telling me they recognise my signature on a styling—clean and harmonious but still fresh and bold.
But beyond my work in styling, I use my platform to advocate for social justice across racism and mental health. I actually started a streetwear company with my business partner, Nida Temaj, called Frank Berlin—our mission is to raise awareness surrounding mental health. I hope that I can be remembered for inspiring others to speak up and not feel alone in whatever they are going through.
We asked Anh to share her 'bucket list concept'—the creative vision that she hopes to one day bring to life...
Think pink
Cool but cute but cool.
I dream of a shoot where set design and styling come together in a perfect candy land harmony.
They would build a dreamy wonderland according to a pink colour concept to which I will bring the perfect matching outfits. I am really into pink. Sometimes I have a hard time working so much with male rap artists! I got one of them into a pink latex blazer suit recently and he loved it—he even said he would consider wearing pink more often now. All my dreams came true!
Anyhow, for the concept I would definitely keep the styling rather cool and clean instead of tapping into the cute area too much. Maybe we make it a video instead of photos. I prefer to style moving visuals, hence my focus on music videos and commercial styling.
Follow Anh's signature style and fight for social justice on her Instagram or check out her website.
Odds are you didn't set out on your own as a creative to spend your time calculating sales tax, drafting invoices and monitoring business expenses. But, like it or not, balancing the books is integral to the success of your business. Unless you work with a specialised accountant for creatives, it can be hard to find reputable information on accounting for creatives, and even harder to find the right tools. Luckily we've rounded up the best accounting software for creatives to give you a helping hand. These cost-effective alternatives to Quickbooks and Xero are designed to provide ease of use and plenty of support because, let's face it, accounting for creatives can be confusing!
So, whether you're weighing up Honeybook vs. QuickBooks, searching for the best accounting software for interior designers, or simply trying to understand the art of bookkeeping for creatives, these accounting software tools will answer all your questions. Accounting for creatives shouldn't distract from your creative work. In fact, these tools are designed so you can spend less time accounting and more time doing what you do best, creating.
5 accounting tools for creative entrepreneurs
Fincent
Fincent's refreshingly simple interface lets even the most 'financially illiterate' creatives understand where their business stands. Fincent makes it easy to communicate with your bookkeeper because, after all, "You were meant to create. Not do books." Who knew bookkeeping for creatives could be so chic?
Star feature
In-app comments allow for direct and clear commentary about your expenses, meaning you and your bookkeeper are always on the same page.
Pricing
$$$
Fincent offers all new users a 14-day free trial period. After that, your monthly bill will depend on whether you deem your business to be starting ($69), growing ($159) or thriving ($269).
Suits you if...
You want the insight, without the stress. Fincent acts as a full-service accountant for creatives, but still lets you stay in control.
Zoho Books
Accounting for creatives made simple. Automated, effortless and easily scalable, Zoho is a comprehensive expense management tool available as a mobile app so you can manage your money wherever you are.
Star feature
Zoho have managed to 'streamline corporate travel', making it easy to track mileage, request and approve travel, organise itineraries and keep a tab on the expenses of it all!
Pricing
$
Zoho operates a pay-per-user pricing plan across four membership tiers. But for any company with fewer than three employees, this one is completely free—a win for the solopreneurs!
Suits you if...
You're constantly on the go! Zoho's tailored travel expense features make managing travel a breeze.
Honeybook
A favourite accounting software for interior designers, Honeybook offers secure payments, digital contract signing and sleek templates for invoicing, contracts, and payments. With Honeybook, accounting for creatives has never been so sweet!
Star feature
Honeybooks is available as a mobile app—allowing you to keep in touch with clients wherever you go.
Pricing
$$
Following a 7-day free trial, HoneyBooks is available for $39 p/m or $390 p/a. But, attention bargain hunters: head over to Honeybooks' website to take advantage of their $1 a month for 6 months offer.
Suits you if...
You like having everything all in one place, even though you never are!
Wave
Wave offers a comprehensive suite of products to help you efficiently manage your business's finances, covering accounting, invoicing and payments. Wave truly understands the complexities of accounting for creatives and delivers accordingly.
Star feature
Wave allows businesses to accept payments online*, so you can get invoices paid even faster. *You are charged for said online payments, but at a reasonable rate.
Pricing
$
Wave offers their tools in invoicing and accounting for creatives completely free, yes really!
Suits you if...
You're ready to wave goodbye to unnecessary stress—simplistic and reliable, Wave almost makes accounting pleasant!
Dubsado
Quick, simple, and accessible. Create an invoice, get paid—accounting for creatives has never been so easy. Oh, and Dubsado's automatic late payment follow-ups save you from those cringe-inducing client chase-ups!
Star feature
Dubsado is one of the best accounting software for interior designers, or other creatives who offer ongoing services with long-term clients. Dubsado sends recurring invoices and offers automatic payment plans.
Pricing
$$
An annual payment of $200 for starters, or $400 if you want all the bells and whistles (automated workflows, public proposals, and multi-lead captures.)
Suits you if...
You foster ongoing relationships with your clients, some of whom may be prone to a late payment or two...
We help
personal stylists
interior designers
architects
wedding planners
event stylists
fashion stylists
creative directors
graphic designers
personal stylists
build
businesses
that
last.
Get started in under 10 minutes.