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Kurt Aaron James Johnson
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| Kurt |
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| Stylist work for Don't Want no Scrub Look Book |
I was lucky enough to interview stylist Kurt Aaron James Johnson who runs his own blog and still finds time to work at Estate of Mind. Always incredibly fun to talk to and one of the most exciting people in the Sydney Fashion scene right now. i was very excited to hear his responses;
1. So Kurt tell me what is your earliest memory when it comes to clothes?
I would have to say stepping into General Pants Co. in Miranda Fair.
I was so excited to get some clothes that all the popular kids in school were wearing.
My mum has always been frugal in terms of clothing.
Total opposite to what I have grown into.
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| Kurt |
2. How old were you? And how did you realise that working in the fashion industry is what you wanted to do?
I was about 14. A very impressionable 14.
I realised I wanted to work in the fashion industry at about 18 though.
I got very into it at about age 17, and at 18 I knew I wanted something to do with the industry.
3. At the moment you work part time at estate of mind, and part time as a stylist, do you find that your experience as a stylist helps you in a store environment?
Very much so. It helps in my selling the clothing as I have the knowledge of what to put the insane items with to make the outfit wearable.
It helps the customer see the sense in the wearability of the crazy items we have in store.
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| Stylist work for Estate of Mind |
4. With your stylist work, what do you find to be the biggest challenge? And what do you find really rewarding about it?
My biggest challenge to date has been a job that was for a photographer whose brief was "pretty". That's not my standard work style, but it pushed me to find a new style that I can engage with.
That was also probably the most rewarding thing to date. Knowing that I can accomplish more than what I had thought prior to that shoot.
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| Stylist work for Estate of Mind |
5. How did you start your stylist work? And what has been the highlight for you so far in this line of work?
My first styling job came about through my work.
I had been asked by my boss to go to a shoot and assist her on a shoot for Backyard Opera, which I took control of.
I love a challenge and I knew I had what it took to make the shoot mine.
This experience opened me up to working with the amazing photographer Toni Veziris on multiple occasions afterwards.
It really started me off.
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| Kurt |
6. Before a new shoot Do you trial your outfit/style ideas on yourself or friends? Or do you wait for the individual you'll be styling?
I get garments that are suited to whatever the brief is that I get.
Then I work on the shoot. It makes the shoot flow a little easier and lets all of the creative energy in the room influence your own work.
It's more (I hate to sound like that wanker, but) organic product that translates through photographs.
7. What advice would you have for anyone who is wanting to get into stylist work?
Do work that you love.
It translates into the finished product.
When you're getting a portfolio together, contact any photographers you know.
Work with people who will push you.
Just don't fucking hold back. The more impressive your work is, the more likely it will be that someone of importance will notice your work.
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| Stylist work for Estate of Mind |
8. Fashion at the moment is incredibly versatile, what are your favourite and least favourite trends/looks for the coming summer season?
Favourite trends are sneakers, slides, holographic, sequinned embellishments and crazy prints.
I'm not talking some cute pastel flowers bullshit on a silk cami, I mean staring at a t shirt and wondering who slipped of acid into your mouth.
Least favourite trends are definitely the standard crochet, cut off denim shorts and band t shirt festival trend that seems to stick to the Sydney fashion scene like a piece of fucking chewing gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe.
To add to that list, numbered jersey's and skorts need to be burnt at the stake.
9. If you could do absolutely anything in fashion right now, what would it be?
I am doing what I love.
Buying for +ESTATEofMIND is a dream job. I only wish the store had a larger reach so I could go on buying trips and buy the crazy gear that I dream about ie Nasir Mazhar, Katie Eary and Moonspoon Saloon.
10. What should we expect to see in the next few months from yourself? Whether it be styling or yourself being photographed?
I'm always keeping myself busy, putting my forked tongue into every possible project I can be a part of. At the moment, I'm assisting in the buys for +ESTATEofMIND, helping my babe status boyfriend launch his label [Don't Want No Scrub] and doing a heap of freelance styling work. Keep your eyes on my Instagram @holographicserpent to stay updated with my work [and myriad of selfies]
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| Stylist Work |
11. Finally who would you say are your style icons? If any or do you just wear what you like? And are there any people in your life that are inspirations or role models to you?
Style Icon... I don't think I have a style icon that I can directly translate into what I wear.
I like to think that I try and emulate Brooke Candy's energy and definiteltt her shoes, but I love being inspired by the trends I see coming through work and on the internet.
The most vital part of being successful in the fashion industry is learning to be transient in terms of trends. They come and go, so being open to influences from my environment is what I thrive on.
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| Kurt |
It was an absolute pleasure speaking with Kurt (contact information below), i have a couple other people lined up for a short interview in the coming weeks! so stay tuned, i hope you enjoyed! take careI
Kurt:
Instagram: holographicserpent
Blog: www.holographicserpent.com
E-mail: kurt@estateofmind.com.au
