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.

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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...

See more of Aimee's work on her Instagram, or her website.

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.

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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?

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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.

Try Fincent.

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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.

Try Zoho.

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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!

Try Honeybook.‍‍‍

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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!

Try Wave.

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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...

Try Dubsado.

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Salina Thind is a London based make-up artist and hairstylist responsible for royal up-dos (Duchess of York, Princess Beatrice) and glam editorials (Vogue India, Conde Nast Brides).

Who would you love to get 'camera ready'?

I'd love to work with one of the 'original supermodels', like Cindy Crawford perhaps. I'd love to hear all her stories and find out what the industry was like back then.

What makeup look will you always remember?

This probably isn't as cool as it should be... As a teenager, I was obsessed with the Guess advertising campaigns. The make-up was always glam Sophia Loren vibes—now I'd love to put my own spin on them!

How do you want to be remembered within the industry?

I want to be remembered for enhancing natural beauty, rather than masking a face. I hope to be synonymous with timeless beauty and beautiful, clear skin.

We asked Salina to share her 'bucket list concept'—the creative vision that she hopes to one day bring to life...

Beauty Beyond Bollywood

I spent a few months based in Mumbai in 2015/2016, during which time I got to work with a real mix of people. On one shoot, I worked with a model from Nagaland—a state in Northeast India. Meeting her made me reflect on how we are usually only sold a very one-dimensional view of the Indian aesthetic. But in reality, India is home to such a range of skin tones, features etc.—it is so much more than just Bollywood! I'd love to shoot a story where the models reflect all of India's different regions and communities and the diversity of beauty within them.

I would shoot all over India. With such a vast array of landscapes and backdrops at my disposal, the possibilities would be endless: beaches, mountains, palaces, crazy cityscapes...

Follow Salina's work and commitment to diversifying the beauty industry on her Instagram or check out her website.

Sylvester Yiu is a fashion stylist, creative director and consultant. Working between London and LA, Sylvester's knack for evocative storytelling has earned him work with clients such as i-D magazine and Louis Vuitton.

Meet Sylvester Yiu

In what unusual places do you find inspiration?

I am very inspired by music and theatre. I travel regularly between London and LA and they both have very different music scenes, but that's the beauty of music. One second I feel like classical and the next I feel like K-pop—representing these ideas in a visual (styling) way is always interesting to me.

You can work with one designer and one of their collections, who are you picking?

Marc Jacobs, hands down. I would love to style his Louis Vuitton SS2008 collection. It is my absolute favourite collection to date. It was the first time I visually saw how 'art' and 'fashion' can truly work together—from the artist's mind to the designer's approach to clothing, colour, silhouettes, etc.

Who is your dream client?

If I could style one person, I’d pick Pennywise. He’s fascinating because, out of everything he found on earth, he decided to be a clown!

How do you want your work to be remembered?

Of course, whatever I do in the present is driven by what is currently in fashion but I hope I can look back at my work after a few years (which I actually do) and still think it works!

We asked Sylvester to share his 'bucket list concept'—the creative vision that he hopes to one day bring to life...

Namesake

One day I walked past 'Sylvester Street' in London and I thought, 'Wouldn't it be cool to have a full editorial of models being shot at their namesake streets/roads?' This could take place all over the world! Foreign names, on foreign streets in foreign languages—it would be a long process to cast and organise locations etc. but how cool would that be!?

Dictionary definition of this concept: one that is excessively self-absorbed.

In 2020, a group of internet friends launched an event on X, formerly known as Twitter, as an attempt to unite and inspire their online community through the difficulties of the pandemic. Armed with just a “very active WhatsApp chat" and a simple aim of “democratising the fashion industry” they created the High Fashion Twitter Met Gala (HFTMG)—an inclusive digital alternative to one of the biggest events in the fashion calendar.

The event quickly gathered international participation and ignited a flurry of global press, who were keen to find out why exactly the fashion industry was falling so short in progressiveness and inclusion when a Twitter community had seemingly solved the problem from their bedrooms. Now, two years on, we speak to the creators of the event to understand how an event born out of a community is now nurturing a new frontier of fashion enthusiasts holding the industry to account.

Re-imagining the Met Gala

The success of the High Fashion Twitter Met Gala is a phenomenon grounded in community. In every industry the pandemic made people re-evaluate the importance of community and their place within it. For the High Fashion Twitter (hftwt) community, it allowed them to reimagine what they each could contribute to the fashion industry as a whole if they focused their attention on spotlighting themselves rather than already celebrated ‘names’ in the industry. The HFTMG was a manifestation of the perspective shift rippling through the community at the time.

The entirely digital event runs as a companion to fashion’s most famed night by the same name—inviting participants to join in the fun of the Met Gala by expressing their interpretation of the prescribed theme in a variety of accessible virtual mediums. The organisers wanted to empower the hftwt community and celebrate the voices within it that make up the new generation of fashion. But above all the idea to host a virtual Met Gala was really "just for fun” in an attempt to ease the community's mid-lockdown blues. The founding members leveraged their existing presence in the community—high followings and a reputation for being vocal in industry discussions—to draw attention to their newly curated event. But they were still overwhelmed by the interest the event garnered from all corners of the hftwt community. There are very distinct subcultures within the overarching HF community on Twitter, from anti-fashion to archivists and deconstructionists. But the HFTMG acts as a uniting moment for all the HF Twitter factions, allowing members of the community, especially those unfamiliar with one another, to establish connections by crossing the chasm. The result embodies everything the organisers love about the event, "It's so interesting to see all these different perspectives and interests collide."

Utilising their platform

Of course, the novelty of the first HFTMG in 2020 and the huge influx of attention from pop-culture magazines like Dazed and i-D were very exciting for all involved. But the team endeavoured to find ways to preserve their enthusiasm for the event beyond public praise and celebrity status. So, in the absence of the 2021 Met Gala the following year, the organisers "took creative liberty" and decided to design their own theme driven by the industry change they wanted to see reflected in the event. And, building on that momentum, this year's HFTMG themed 'In the Americas' was the "most politically driven yet". Whilst the IRL Met Gala red carpet was awash with gilded glamour, fashion creatives attending the HFTMG set about reclaiming the definition of 'American'. The organisers explain, "We're challenging The Met's use of America as an isolating term—it excludes the whole Pan-American continent and just focuses on the United States. America is a continent, not a country."

In the last 3 decades, the Met Gala has gradually evolved from a humble charitable event to a celebrity extravaganza. This year, perhaps more than ever, the event has come under scrutiny for flaunting lavish exclusivity whilst the general population are crumbling under rising costs of living. But hftwt's DIY alternative is challenging that narrative with a focus on accessibility and inclusivity—giving creatives a chance to proudly embrace and explore their diverse heritage as part of the 'American' lexicon. One approach to inclusivity is the 'Brand Challenge'. Participants signed up to the challenge are randomly assigned a brand (this year that list included Phillip Lim and Tom Ford) and must create an outfit made purely from their designs. "Our brand challenges are designed to uplift designers and creatives that are overlooked by the main event. We want to spotlight all the designers who are just as qualified but don't get the same screen time."

This approach is grounded in education, the antithesis of the frivolous celeb culture we now see paraded at the Met Gala. It seeks to challenge a community of fashion enthusiasts to dig deeper, understand the historical and modern significance of dress (pertaining to the theme) and celebrate those previously overshadowed in the industry. Though the Brand Challenge is designed to push the community to try new things, the other participation categories were derived from an analysis of the community's existing behaviour. The organisers saw first-hand that the community were already using moodboards and illustration to express themselves creatively and so they just had to find a way to direct these expressions into a common agenda, i.e., their virtual Met Gala. This resulted in the formation of four categories for HFTMG attendees to participate in:

• The aforementioned 'Brand Challenge'
• Photoset Creation. Creating a mood board that encapsulates your interpretation of the yearly theme.
• Wardrobe Styling. Creating an outfit that encapsulates this year's theme, using items already found in your wardrobe—no shopping allowed! A focus on sustainability and creative re-working.
• Illustration Expression. Designing or sketching your own look, or sketching the existing work of another designer.

Inclusivity is key across all categories. The digital nature of the event allows people to participate without incurring the costs of buying garments, fabrics or even tickets ($35,000 to be precise). It also alleviates waste production, the unsustainable by-product often associated with one-time fashion splurges.

Mobilising the community

Despite the continued success of the HFTMG, challenging the status quo of the industry cannot be done with just one annual event. Therefore, the team have been looking at ways to harvest the talent and passion of their community year-round. Furthering community engagement is also done in the hopes of preserving the future of the event. As much as the organisers wish they could be involved forever, they are aware that ultimately their careers will take priority. And so, in the interest of preservation, the team are attempting to find ways to pass this tradition forward—in the hopes that it will continue to foster a sense of togetherness within the community for years to come.

Part of that strategy was an open invitation to their community, to brainstorm and write collaborative threads for the event's official Twitter page. The result was a bank of informed, passionate content that aligned with their commitment to amplifying a diverse range of voices. Of course, given this year's theme, the narrative centred around dispelling misrepresentations of Latin America in mainstream media and highlighting influential names in fashion across the entirety of the Americas. Centring the hftwt community's discourse on critical commentary surrounding fashion and culture is a calculated approach. The organisers are aware that Twitter is often overlooked by industry insiders in favour of Instagram, but they still believe Twitter is the platform best suited for their mission because, "unlike Instagram or TikTok which put imagery before commentary, Twitter values both." This means fashion enthusiasts who are disillusioned with the superficiality of Instagram and unable to thrive in its visually-biased environment may find that Twitter’s conversation-centric infrastructure suits their needs better—allowing an opportunity for thoughtful, insightful learning uninhibited by aesthetic appeal.

Another advantage to Twitter is that it lends itself to anonymity. Many of the hftwt community run their accounts anonymously and the organisers endeavour to respect this privacy and ensure it never becomes a limiting factor to participation. The team are operating on the theory that ‘if you build it, they will come’—by pioneering these conversations themselves they hope to attract more like-minded individuals to the community and slowly facilitate the establishment of High Fashion Twitter as a reputable and respected place for industry discourse.

What happens next?

After more than 300 #HFMetGala2022 tweets and 400 famous faces on the IRL red carpet, 'fashion's biggest night' is wrapped up for another year. But the work for the organisers does not stop here. The team will now return to working on a reflection of the Met Gala 2021, to be published as an openly available e-book titled 'Faces in the Mirror'. Their previous e-book, a summary of learnings from the first High Fashion Met Gala in 2020, titled 'Temporal conflation', can be found here. The educational e-book is just another example of the team's commitment to empowering the community that birthed the event. For all of the team, their 'seat on the board' has never been motivated by a desire for self-promotion and this selfless attitude is undoubtedly key to the event's longevity. The team simply see themselves as a launchpad for the community's success, they are providing the wheel with which the community can steer.

From our talk, it was clear that the future of the High Fashion Twitter Met Gala is dependent on the community's commitment to its upkeep. Will that be in the form of a new wave of committee personnel? It's hard to say. But even in the absence of a coordinating team, the tradition itself will remain. That is not to discredit the work of the committee thus far; their hard work, eloquence and foresight have been instrumental in the HFTMG's success. The work done to empower and educate the high fashion community will have long-lasting implications and we imagine that on the first Monday of each May, the High Fashion Twitter community will, of their own accord, offer up an innovative, thoughtful, thematically comprehensive (no shade to the real Met Gala...) display of talent. And what a beautiful legacy that is. The High Fashion Twitter Met Gala serves as a reassuring reminder that grassroots initiatives and passionate creative communities will always be there to hold the fashion industry to account—although we live in the hope that one day, they'll no longer have to.

We all procrastinate. Whether it's incessantly checking our emails to put off an upcoming deadline, or getting lost in social media whilst conducting research, procrastination affects us all. Sometimes, it can't be helped. Sometimes, it becomes a problem.

When we're habitually procrastinating, delaying and putting off tasks, it can be a tough cycle to break. Working from home has been a blessing in many ways, but—for creatives especially—it's had some serious downsides. The lack of in-office chat and idea-bouncing can have a negative impact on our creativity—and, sometimes, motivation can be hard to find at home. More than ever, we're disconnected from each other—the feeling of being alone can drain our motivation, and, sometimes, leave us feeling lost.

Working collaboratively—or, at least, around others—is a brilliant way to not only make us more creative, but more productive, too. But how can we recreate that feeling when our co-workers aren't around to work with us?

Why we procrastinate

We don't always have to be productive—sometimes it's just not our day—but if it becomes habitual, we may feel the need to combat it. This is no mean feat. There isn't just one reason for procrastination—we might be feeling tired or burned out, uninspired, or we may be suffering from perfection-paralysis. One thing's for sure, though: we procrastinate less around others. Working in teams—or at least around other people—can leave us feeling inspired, invigorated and productive.

But why?

Why teamwork, works

We'll cut to the chase: accountability works. Working with others helps to keep us off our phones and stops our minds from wandering—if everyone else is working, we have to too! Whilst our natural fear of being the outsider (or, if you're more optimistic, our urge to 'do our part') is a big reason that group-working halts our procrastination—it's not the only reason.

In fact, there's a whole science dedicated to uncovering the 'flow state', and the ways in which we can enter it.

Comradery

Remember the warm, comforting feeling of sitting in contented silence with friends? How about the cold, rigid feeling of travelling alone on a bus? One of these is an ideal studying situation—and the other, not so much (though if it works for you, we won't judge!). Working in groups is conducive to comfort and warmth—it means that we're not alone in our quest for productivity, and, even if we're working on disparate things, it can create a sense of comradery. It's us against the world.

Laura Gao encapsulates this feeling perfectly: I love being around people. It just reminds me that I'm not tackling things by myself. Even if we were doing different things, it still feels like we, in a way, are on a team for a specific purpose.

Collaboration

How about the feeling of firing ideas around, one after the other, with your colleagues, feeling like you're on fire? Or the feeling of staring at a blank page for hours on end? Working in a team of course allows for collaboration—and, rather than having to fire off an email or open up a browser to answer a question, you have valuable resources at your fingertips. That means less time spent on admin and more creative conjuring. The ability to bounce ideas back and forth can't be overstated, and this, in turn, spurs inspiration and productivity!

Grounding

One of the biggest reasons for procrastination is feeling overwhelmed—we have so much to do that we don't know where to start, or worse, we feel like we have to do everything at once. This feeling can cause us to shut down and become overloaded.

Working with others keeps us grounded—it lets us see that, whilst they probably have just as much to do as we do, they're taking it slow, one step at a time. This can help us to relax, and help us to realise that we're all in the same boat. More than that, it can help us to talk about it! Sharing our stresses with others—and hearing theirs, in turn—shows that we're not the only ones struggling. Suddenly, that feeling of being overwhelmed dissipates.

Work together, from home

Thankfully, there are now multitudes of engaging, easy-to-access ways to work collaboratively—even whilst at home! From 'silent working' Twitter spaces to online group working sessions (complete with phone lock-boxes), here are our alternative, modern ways to combat procrastination through the power of community.

FLOWN

Best for those looking to work on their mindfulness

FLOWN's aim is to enable its users to enter the flow state and consistently perform deep work. Whilst it has a number of features (from 'Quests'—a ten-minute audio experience, designed to give users the chance to recharge and ready to focus again—to 'Breath and Body' techniques to help users control their breathing), its primary focus is on Flocks—virtual group working sessions that last from 1-2 hours.

Flocks are guided by one of FLOWN's 'expert facilitators', and there are five sessions each weekday—providing enough flexibility to, hopefully, benefit everyone.

FLOWN offers group working sessions for free users exclusively on Fridays. They offer a full version for $19.50 per month, giving users access to unlimited group working sessions and the full scope of their other features.

Flow Club

Best for those looking for a mid-range group option

Flow Club, similarly to FLOWN, offers virtual group co-working sessions. These sessions are led by an instructor—in the first five minutes, participants take turns setting their goals out loud, and then the silent work begins! All whilst a curated playlist, designed to inspire work and aid participants in entering the flow state, plays in the background.

Flow Club is currently offering a waitlist, which is free to sign up to.

Centered

Best for those looking for an accessible, easy to jump into option

Centered offers a range of tools to aid in entering the flow state, from a weekly 'streak' to keep track of how many days in a row participants have met their goals, to an AI "digital coach"—a bot that sends reminders, checks in on distractions (asking you which apps are distracting you, giving you an overview of any potential procrastination-causers), and even goes as far as muting one's notifications to increase focus.

Centered also, of course, offers group working sessions - though these are a little different. Centered's group working sessions don't involve video—instead, you have animated avatars representing the other participants. Centered offers a low-effort version of group working—a reminder that you're not alone, without the effort-intensity of joining a video call.

Centered's standard plan is completely free, and they offer a premium option for $6.67 per month.

‍Focusmate

Best for those looking for a little extra accountability

Taking a slightly different approach, Focusmate pairs users with an individual, rather than a group—your "accountability partner". Simply choose the time that you want to work, and you'll be automatically matched with a partner for a 20-50 minute session. This more intimate approach helps to ensure that you stay on track—even where you might be tempted to veer off the tracks in the more anonymous, casual group working settings.

Focusmate also has some pretty stringent rules—if you're late (or slacking off during your session!) your partner can report you, lowering your score and leading to your account potentially being frozen—providing an extra push for those who need it!

Focusmate is free for the first three sessions per week, and $5 per month for unlimited sessions.

Teamworking take-aways

Ultimately, we're all searching for ways to make connections. We're social creatures, and being around others (whether in reality or virtually) helps us to feel refreshed, inspired and productive. Accountability is a strong motivator, but it's not the only one—we don't have to feel forced to work. Instead, teamworking (or flow state) products help us to take control of our tasks. They help us to remain calm, and take our productivity into our hands—all with the help of our peers, and all whilst nurturing the human connection that we crave.

Fae Jagdon was settling into her new role as nurse manager when she realised she was far too stylish to spend her life in scrubs! Instead, Fae said an emotional goodbye to nursing and began pursuing a career as a personal stylist.

Fae experienced the psychological impact of dress firsthand which inspired her creation of a bespoke service, grounded in education and empowerment. Fae's clients are equipped with an understanding that whilst clothes can make you look good, their true power is in making you feel good. Fae recounts her personal awakening to the power of dress, shares her gratitude for her loved ones' support and explains why her personal style can be likened to a hearty helping of tiramisu...

The right pair of shoes

I believe my love for styling came from my dad, he would always ask me what shoes looked better for his outfit! At the time, I didn't realise how important that decision was but as I grew and began creating outfits myself, I realised there's definitely an art to dressing.

Don't want no scrubs

As I stepped into my role as a nurse manager, I started spending more time in scrubs and less time in my wardrobe. Over time, I lost my sense of style completely—I would struggle to create outfits, I'd spend hours going through item after item, and I'd feel insecure and unhappy with every outfit I made. So, I took it upon myself to rediscover my personal style and I felt completely transformed! My journey taught me why clothing matters. That's what inspired me to pursue a career in styling. I experienced the transformational power of dress firsthand and now I am passionate about guiding my clients through that same journey.

Breaking the news

My pivot into styling didn't come as much of a surprise. Even during my nursing career, I would use Instagram as a creative outlet to share outfit inspiration and collaborate with different brands. I would regularly give my friends style advice, so they already knew how passionate I was. My mum was a little apprehensive, as she didn't quite understand what the role of a stylist entailed, and she was also fearful of me leaving such a secure job. But my husband was very supportive of my decision, he always knew where my passions lay. As we were about to relocate to a different city, I naturally searched for nursing careers but it was my partner who encouraged me to take the leap and enrol in a styling course.

Moving on

I found leaving nursing very difficult, especially having just landed my role as a manager. I got emotional at the thought of all the years I spent studying and completing my Master's degree to achieve my goal as a nurse unit manager. It was scary to think that I was letting it all go. I was moving to a new city and starting a new career that I wasn't entirely sure was going to work out for me. Every day I felt like I was starting from scratch because, technically, I was. I was learning new skills and constantly pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

Back to school

Returning to studying was intimidating! I came from a completely different career and I was surrounded by so much talent and creativity, it was a challenge to re-engage the creative side of my brain that I had to suppress during my time as a nurse. But once I started, I knew that's where I belonged!

It also helped that there were many students in the same boat as me, switching careers at different ages. That made my experience very special and it meant I never felt as though I was playing catch up. I believe that there is no time limit to our journeys.

Lessons from the ward

One of the main skills I learned as a nurse, and as a manager, is communication. You have to be able to communicate well with patients, their families, and the multidisciplinary team. I believe open communication is key to providing a seamless client experience. Also, the importance of adapting to change! Every day and every client is different. But beyond that, nursing has fundamentally shaped who I am today. I love connecting with people on a deeper level and I am really driven by the desire to change peoples' lives. My experience as a nurse heightened my emotional awareness and empathetic nature, both of which I feel can really make a difference in a client's experience and their decision to work with you.

Words of wisdom

It takes more than just doing what you love to run a business. Throughout my journey, I've learnt how much is actually involved in setting up and maintaining a business: sales, marketing, branding, legalities, mindset and the list goes on! Also, that entrepreneurship is a continuous learning curve—I am almost always investing in myself and my business.

The process

During my style consultations, I dig deep into understanding my client at a core level—who they are, their beliefs, values, mindset, vision, and goals. I then help them discover their personal style through my 4-factor formula: exploring colour, lifestyle, body shape and personal taste. By combining these elements, we build a clear understanding of my client and how they can best present themselves through style. My service provides a mixture of personalisation and education. I'm very passionate about offering the most tailored experiences for my clients, ensuring they receive advice that is made specifically for them. I hope to educate and empower my clients, leaving them with an understanding of how to become the best version of themselves.

The power of dress

Your personal style is a reflection of who you are. The more sure you are of your style, the more you're able to express your most authentic self. There's also a psychological theory called "enclothed cognition" which explores the symbolic meaning of the clothes to the wearer and the physical experience of wearing them. This means your clothing can have a significant impact on how you feel, how you behave, your productivity levels, as well as how others perceive you.

Wardrobe staple

Right now, my favourite item in my wardrobe is my wedding dress. It isn't your traditional wedding gown, so I can definitely wear it again! I found it on Farfetch, two weeks before my wedding, and it's everything I imagined wearing on my special day. It has puff sleeves that are enough to make a statement without overpowering the entire look, beautiful lace detailing, a v-neck cut to achieve balance and flatter my frame, and pockets! Need I say more?

Sense(s) of style

My style would smell like cardamom and sandalwood, warm and understated, yet enough to leave an impression. It would probably taste like a tiramisu—classic and subtle, yet striking. And it would sound like classic jazz—no words, just pure melody.

Katie Porter spent 25 years relishing her role in media production, rubbing shoulders with royals and attending lavish promotional parties. However, the arrival of the pandemic put all of that on pause and within the silence, Katie finally had time to pay attention to her lingering desire to step into the fashion world.

Katie now runs her own personal style consultancy from her home in Essex, offering a bespoke service that aims to leave her clients "feeling happier and more assure of themselves" oh, and decidedly more colourful! Katie recalls her favourite memories of the media industry, explains why we should all consider making our wardrobes more colourful and appreciates how lucky she is to have an extremely stylish mother!

An unexpected catalyst

I went straight into the media industry after leaving university and was extremely happy in that exciting world for 25 years. Although I have always had a passion for fashion and a flair for helping others feel good about themselves, I probably wouldn’t have jumped ship had it not been for Covid. The big events stopped overnight and, as it did for so many people, my life completely changed. I realised that this was my opportunity to explore styling, an interest that had always been niggling away at the back of my mind.

Returning to the mothership

I am very decisive. I had pretty much made my mind up about leaving media to pursue personal styling before I told anyone else! When I did reveal my intentions, everyone was very supportive but not in the least bit surprised—knowing my love for clothes & style. I'll quote the reaction from a friend of mine, "That's bloody brilliant… Must feel like returning to the mothership! Absolutely the right path for you.”

Fond memories

I often feel nostalgic about my life in the media industry—we worked hard and played hard! I have so many great memories: landing my first job in Soho Square, being involved with all the junkets for the latest film releases, sourcing outfits for the models for the Hello & OK commercials we produced and filming members of the royal family—this, in particular, has been such a privilege that few people experience and one which I will never forget.

Never say never

As I walked out of my final sociology exam at Kingston University I remember saying, “I’m never going back into education and being assessed ever again.” Yet, at 47, I found myself doing just that! My experience on campus at The London College of Style was such a joy from beginning to end, although I can’t deny the final assessment day was daunting but equally exhilarating.

To top it all off, I made some wonderful friends that I bonded with over the experience we went through together. I became fully qualified last year and I'm still so surprised by how much I am enjoying it! It’s probably exceeded my expectations and for anyone else considering personal styling, I can’t recommend it highly enough. I am so pleased I took the leap and pushed myself out of my comfort zone.

Avoiding comparison

Styling was a new venture for me but, strangely, I never felt like I was starting from scratch. I have always loved fashion and it felt like a natural progression after years of advising friends and family on clothes and style. I think most people changing careers later in life are conscious of having to play ‘catch up’, as there will always be someone further ahead in the industry than you. I simply try to concentrate on myself and make sure that I am happy with what I am doing and where I am. As I say to my clients, “comparison is the thief of joy”.

Know when to listen

Communication and engagement have been key to both my career in production and my work as a stylist now. Learning how to gain someone’s trust is imperative as a personal stylist and you generally only have a finite amount of time to do it in. I have quite an outgoing and bubbly personality which is fortuitous, but it is also important to hold back and listen to your client in order to gauge exactly what they are asking of you.

The drapes don't lie

I always think of my colour analysis service as some kind of magic! I love the fact that it’s not my word against theirs, I simply facilitate an experience that evolves throughout the session—my clients can see exactly what is happening right in front of their very eyes. Identifying a client’s “wow” colours involves analysing their personality, their skin and hair tone but mainly using our specialist drapes. It’s amazing how the correct colours next to your face can diminish lines, even out skin tone and make you look younger whereas the colours not suited to you can make you look tired and drained.

Once upon a time, I was sceptical about colour analysis but since being trained by the amazing Jules Standish in the subject, I have introduced a lot more colour into my wardrobe. I now understand how imperative it is to wear the correct colours if you want to look your very best. I fall into the Spring (sanguine) colour palette. The ‘Springs’ are having a wonderful time in the shops at the moment, with all the vivid greens and reds out there.

The impact of style

Personal styling used to be seen as a service reserved for the rich and famous, but it’s now becoming totally accessible to everyone—self-care and self-belief are imperative. The most satisfying part of my job is giving women and men the confidence to make them feel good about themselves. The last couple of years have seen a decline in the 'need' to dress up and people have consequently got themselves in a style rut. If you feel good, you look good. And then, people perceive you in a completely different way. Once you find your style, there is nothing stopping you—it sounds dramatic, but it can be life-changing!

Old school cool

I absolutely love pre-loved/vintage shopping! We have a selection of little local shops in Essex, one of my favourite dresses is a vintage Luella from Holt in Norfolk and I have many leather & suede jackets from Camden market—there is no rhyme nor reason to where I shop, great finds happen everywhere. I regularly visit the Vestiaire Collective site, one of my recent purchases was a vintage Dior bag that I tracked down in Sydney and had sent over. When shopping vintage, always makes sure you are purchasing from a credible seller who can confirm the authenticity of the specific item.

Keep a tailor on speed dial

I bought a spring/summer Whistles jumpsuit last week which is gorgeous. However, being 5’2, I had to have five inches taken off the trouser legs to make them the culottes they were supposed to be—it’s definitely a good idea to know a talented tailor!

Wardrobe staples

My personal style? Dressed down classic with hints of urban. All blazers in my wardrobe are very well-worn, but I do have a favourite—a navy Guess number with a really unusual pattern (my description doesn’t do it justice!). I love wearing my DVF wrap dresses when going out and my Golden Goose trainers for everyday dressing down. But my favourite item in my wardrobe is, and always will be, a long, wool coat from Miss Selfridge that my very stylish mother bought and wore for my christening, 47 years ago! I love looking at the pictures of her wearing it and everyone is always so interested in the story. I love wearing clothes that hold memories and have a special meaning behind them.

In the current crowded digital landscape, many consumers are suffering from over-consumption and desensitisation. To create content that cuts through the noise and truly resonates with an audience, one must think outside the box. Help is often found in the most unlikely of places, this time in the form of Bridgerton's infamous gossip columnist—Lady Whistledown.

Whether you believe her audacious, shameless, unethical or genius—one thing you can't deny is that Whistledown knows how to engage an audience. Her scandalous publication captivates the entire fictionalised high-class society of Regency-era London! Lady Whistledown operates anonymously, meaning her success is not based on prior affiliations with her name and she certainly doesn't rely on social media reach or SEO manipulation. So just how does she do it?

We've examined her scandal sheets to find out exactly what it is that keeps the ton hooked. Oh and the best news? Binging Bridgerton now counts as research!

Do your due diligence

"Be forewarned dear reader, I certainly know you." Slightly ominous though this statement may be, it explains why Lady W's content is always a hit. She knows her readers—private scandals and all. Her content exploits the current interests, anxieties and longings of her audience. There is also an element of recognisability in her work—familiar faces, places and events all help to satisfy the universal desire to read stories that one recognises themselves in. Though we're not suggesting your writing should unearth private affairs and tarnish reputations, there is a lesson here in knowing who you're writing for and what they want to read.

Having a clear reader archetype in mind when writing will keep your content relevant, relatable and entertaining. What topics are most important to them right now? What do they want to gain from your content? What other content are they consuming? What TikTok subculture are they browsing? Do they actually know what TikTok is...?  Where do they spend their Friday nights? In-depth answers to questions like these will help shape your content strategy, influence your tone of voice and reveal interesting angles. Remember: people want to read stories that they recognise themselves in, so you first have to recognise your audience.

Case in point

‍Laura is a personal shopper and style consultant, using Instagram stories as a way to gauge the attitudes and shopping habits of her audience. Her "shop/drop" feature gathers audience feedback on new high street collections whilst the "let's chat" highlight opens up intra-community discussion on topical conversations, such as the return to retail post-pandemic. Laura gathers insight in a playful, interactive way and can channel this feedback into her direct work with clients.

Don't find a niche, create one

Whistledown noticed the ton's insatiable hunger for gossip and she decided to capitalise on it. Though historians attest that scandal sheets were rife in the Regency era, within the realms of Bridgerton, Lady W is the only one in the game. Whisteldown's intentions may be morally dubious, but her resolve is unwavering. She knows what she wants to achieve with her content and she sticks with it—even when threatened with a warrant for her arrest.*

Analyse your prospective audience. What information do they want/need that is not currently readily available to them? That is your niche. Carving out a unique take that reflects the shared interests of you and your audience will give your content clarity and relevance that, over time, will ensure you develop an engaged, supportive community.

*Visualist will not be made liable for any arrests.

Case in point

‍From Joe Biden's logo rebrand to the way in which memes now drive political narratives, "politics today is visual" and yet the phenomenon is, or rather, was rarely analysed—until Hunter Schwarz found his niche. Schwarz set up his newsletter, Yello, as a platform to "take a deeper look at the images that shape our politics and the stories behind them." Schwarz found a loyal audience in designers, media professionals and creative government officials who never knew they needed this content before.

Think about your distribution

Lady Whistledown follows two simple rules in her distribution process:

• Consistency. Printed overnight and distributed early morning—usually following an influential social event.
• Accessibility. The papers are quite literally placed in the palms of the reader. Direct and unmissable.

The lesson here: meet your audience where they are, when they expect you to. Host, and more importantly, promote your brand on platforms that are easily accessible to your audience. Don't wait for an audience to seek you out, land your content right under their nose. (Return to due diligence if you're struggling to locate where your readers naturally reside.) Consistent commentary on current affairs and social attitudes makes you a reliable source of information that your readers will return to when they want an understanding of trending topics. Note that you don't have to report on 'news' to make content timely.

Case in point

‍Present & Correct is a London based stationery shop, but rather than wait for the right customer to idle past the storefront—they went and scouted them out themselves on social media. Their coherent, aesthetically pleasing feeds quickly resonated with fellow minimalist, pastel-loving, organisation fanatics. Their content is a reliable moment of joy in a routine scroll and their regular posts mean their brand is consistently subliminally advertised. Present and Correct indeed, the brand maintains a strong, supportive presence in its community. They regularly share the work of creators who embody the brand aesthetic and tailor their in-house content to current social affairs, such as the recent spring equinox or commentary on a favourite film at the Oscars.

Prove your value

Lady W, being the "brilliant woman of business" that she is, knew she had to give her audience something of value for free before attempting to extract value herself. The infamous society paper was once distributed free of charge but, as the eagle-eyed amongst us will have noticed, eventually Ton residents had to offer up their change in order to get their hands on an edition and this season she has once again upped her prices! Once Whistledown's reputation was assured, she was able to parlay her engaged audience into a tangible stream of income. Perhaps monetising is not your end goal but if it is, it doesn't necessarily have to be where you begin. Create value before you consider cashing in on your content.

Case in point

Antonio Carusone started his blog, AisleOne, as a simple creative outlet. Though Carusone had sustained an engaged audience for quite some time—it was sixteen years before he began offering subscriber-only content. Regular readers still have access to the valuable insight and entertainment that first attracted them to the platform however there is now the option to subscribe and receive novelty additions: Spotify playlists, exclusive downloadable posters and even custom clothing. Antonio's long-time gratuitous offerings now compel his community to give back.

Talk of the ton

Whistledown's reputation relies heavily on word-of-mouth, yours will rely on the share button—but the same principle stands: create content that people feel compelled to talk about. Content that starts conversations.

If your content leaves readers feeling emotional, equipped, curious or validated, they'll want to share it with their own community. But it also has to be suitable for sharing. Not just logistically (although quick links help), but aesthetically. What people share becomes an extension of their online persona; your content needs to enhance their image. Include tweetable quotes and embellish with aesthetic visuals that look good on an Instagram feed—people do judge a book by its cover.

Case in point

‍Visualize Value is an educational platform in visual communication. Simple but impactful illustrations of key business philosophies are shared across the brand's Instagram and Twitter. Their sleek, monochromatic design makes them aesthetically appealing enough to warrant a share. The real appeal, however, is that by sharing Visualize Value's content one can communicate their personal investment in the idea with minimal effort and maximum clarity—enhancing an intellectual, polished online persona with a simple re-tweet.

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And there you have it, dearest readers, an exclusive insight into how to leave your audience craving more! Perhaps we would be remiss not to mention that an audience does not appear overnight— one must remain steadfast in spirit when building such an audience. As Lady Whistledown once famously penned, "patience, after all, is a virtue."