What are some of the standout trends that emerged during Paris Fashion Week for the autumn/winter 2024 collections?
As we have seen recently, minimalism is all but gone, and maximalism is back; however, even at houses like Chanel, logos weren’t on full display as they have been in the past.
Change and freshness are everywhere. Notably, quiet luxury brands like The Row demonstrated creativity, modern silhouettes, and uniqueness in addition to their already high-quality fabrics and mediums.
To see or not to see: sheers have staying power. On the runway, models often went braless, but beautiful undergarments by luxury brands like La Perla add elegance, interest, and coverage.
More oversized handbags are back. Even for evening, micro bags have disappeared.
From your perspective as a luxury stylist, which designers or brands showcased the most innovative and captivating pieces during Paris Fashion Week?
I loved the looks at Chanel, Schiaparelli, Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney, and Chloe, but fashion insiders also talked about Loewe, Diesel, and Miu Miu. For my in-depth interpretations, call or email me!
Lisa at the Giambattista Valli Fall/Winter 2024 Ready-to-Wear Runway Show
How did the overall aesthetic and mood of the autumn/winter 2024 collections differ from previous seasons?
Creative directors seem to embrace the shift for women to enjoy dressing again! It took a while following COVID for people to enjoy getting dressed, and then the trend was all about minimalism. Now, people enjoy putting thought and excitement into what they wear on a regular basis.
Were there any notable shifts or developments in materials, textures, or color palettes that you observed across the collections?
Denim is now a staple in almost every brand. Whether for suits, pants, jackets, and even shoes and handbags, denim is integral.
Leather is also a staple material in almost every collection.
Mixing mediums like leather maxi skirts with sheer blouses is very on-trend.
Statement belts over outerwear add a tailored and polished look.
There is no rule for hemlines from micro mini, mini, knee-length, midi, and maxi, which are all on-trend.
Brown is the new black. Brown is the perfect color for a base piece and can be mixed with pretty much any color.
Schiaparelli Fall/Winter 2024 Ready-to-Wear Collection at Maison Schiaparelli 21 Place Vendome
As a luxury stylist, how do you anticipate incorporating the key trends and styles from Paris Fashion Week into your clients’ wardrobes for the upcoming season?
Although luxury brands are typically pricey, prices have increased in clothing and accessories. I encourage my clients to invest in pieces they can wear in multiple ways, and when they see their closets being taken over by one or two brands, it may be time to visit some newer ones.
I encourage clients to dress in what makes them feel their best. Whether it is a color that brightens their day or a fabric that makes them feel elegant, there isn’t a wrong time.
Take mirror selfies in your outfits before wearing them, particularly when purchasing prints. When viewed differently, clothing prints look different from different angles and at various distances.
What were some of the most memorable runway moments or fashion shows from Paris Fashion Week, in your opinion?
Fashion lovers anxiously awaited to see Chloe, with Chemeni Kamali as the new creative director, and Alexander McQueen, with Sean McGirr as the new creative director. It was a very interesting time for those brands.
Schiaparelli Fall/Winter 2024 Ready-to-Wear Collection at Maison Schiaparelli 21 Place Vendome
How do you see the trends showcased during Paris Fashion Week translating into everyday wear for clients who want to integrate high-fashion elements into their personal style?
Mixing in bold, statement accessories is a great way to add flair to a minimalist outfit.
Mixing textures and colors was all over the runways.
Chocolate brown is strong as a neutral color for a base piece and tonal dressing, or wearing different shades of a single color lengthens and streamlines the body.
If a client is a true minimalist, a classic pantsuit in a bold color rather than a true neutral would add some interest to their wardrobe.
Dress in what makes you feel empowered. This can mean different things to different people and situations.
Opt for versatile pieces. If you love a brand but are hesitant to invest in multiple pieces, find one staple, like a blazer or skirt, that can be worn in multiple ways.
Lisa with Khaite founder and creative director, Catherine Holstein, at Le Grand Véfour, Paris.
From a styling perspective, what practical tips or insights would you offer to individuals looking to incorporate elements of Paris Fashion Week’s autumn/winter 2024 collections into their own wardrobes?
Invest in a lengthy statement coat that you can wear almost daily.
Introduce color and use brown instead of black as a base color. It’s more modern and works well.
Lisa Sher-Chambers stands as a distinguished personal style expert, revered for her insightful approach to fashion and unparalleled expertise in the realm of personal image refinement. With a profound understanding of individual preferences and an eye for timeless elegance, Lisa’s guidance transcends mere trends, offering clients a transformative journey toward sartorial confidence. Through her intuitive consultations and meticulous attention to detail, Lisa Sher-Chambers cultivates personalized wardrobes that harmonize with each client’s unique identity and aspirations. Discover more about Lisa’s approach and services at Lisa Sher-Chambers Style, where luxury and personal style converge seamlessly. We will be looking forward to hearing more from Lisa after this month’s fashion week where Lisa will be covering many shows and events!
I recently got the chance to sit down with Lisa and ask her some questions about herself, her business and of course her amazing style!
Can you share some of your favorite fashion trends in the luxury industry right now, and how do you incorporate them into your styling work?
I love elegance, glamour, color, and textures. The 2024 award season has already demonstrated that everyone is ‘showing up.’ Dressing up is fun again, no matter your age, shape or style. I love adding unexpected pieces to classic looks, such as pops of bright colors, different mediums like metal, and bold prints. I also love tonal dressing, which can be tricky. Mixing varying tones of the same colors works best when you combine various textures, like wool and silk. Tweeds have been on trend for a while, make tonal dressing easier by using one of the base colors in the tweed pattern and adding shades of that one color. Regarding accessories, I love the return to oversized bags, although admittedly, I was on the micro bag trend for a bit and I tried, but it’s not for me.
How do you stay updated on the latest fashion collections and emerging designers to ensure your clients can access the most exclusive and cutting-edge pieces?
I have very close relationships with global sources for fashion and accessories, and we talk fashion, style and what’s next in fashion. We can reserve special items, which is particularly important for special occasions and travel planning. I study what the top stylists are doing, and what publications are showing, and attend as many fashion shows as possible. I’m always thinking about which pieces may be incorporated into my client’s wardrobes, considering things like body type, lifestyle, color tones, budget…We may love the look, but not the price point. We may love the look, but the silhouette isn’t suitable for our body type. Most importantly, I want my clients to look and feel their best so they can feel confident and have fun with what they are wearing. Also, I live (half-time) in Manhattan, on 57th Street, so I can see looks in person almost immediately. I can examine the sizing, touch the fabric, and determine the quality before recommending it to a client.
When working with clients, how do you balance staying true to their personal style preferences while also introducing them to new and exciting fashion concepts?
My clients start by telling me their authentic style and what a day in their life looks like, and we go from there. I encourage my clients to mix things up and blend things in an unexpected way. I love to introduce accessories so that their looks can take on multiple uses and move from day to evening, beach to dinner, corporate to evening.
Can you recall a particularly challenging styling project you’ve worked on and how you overcame any obstacles to create a stunning and cohesive look?
Many clients are afraid of color and/or experimenting with new looks. My goal is to encourage my clients to push their fashion boundaries and express themselves while having fun with their unique styles.
In the world of luxury fashion, how important is it to consider sustainability and ethical practices, and how do you integrate these aspects into your styling choices?
I encourage resale purchasing and sourcing for my clients from reputable sources, and my network of vintage purveyors is growing. I love how fast fashion houses like Zara and H&M offer trendy pieces and looks, but the manufacturing, shipping, and return processes significantly affect the climate and the world. I ensure that my clients mostly own pieces they will keep and love for years, even decades. It can be challenging because dry cleaning can take a toll on clothing. I have even sourced new designers focusing on washable wools, lessening the need for dry cleaning.
What advice do you have for someone looking to elevate their personal style and incorporate more luxury pieces into their wardrobe without completely overhauling their existing collection?
Keep what you absolutely love. If you are hesitant, put it in a small pile in another location in your home. Revisit every six months and hold off on big decisions. If there is a designer whose looks you admire, start by incorporating an accessory like earrings or a necklace into an outfit. See how those pieces make you feel. If you like the vibe, try a ready-to-wear piece and go from there. Start slowly with one item and ensure you like the quality, the fabric, and the silhouette before revamping your closet.
How do you approach the process of selecting accessories to complement a luxury outfit, and what role do they play in enhancing the overall look?
Accessories have the power to literally transform an outfit and your outlook. Depending on the occasion, a special piece with a special memory could change your mood. You can dress an outfit up or down with accessories, creating a brand-new look with a simple change of a scarf or necklace. I personally have an affection for handbags. They not only carry everything that I need for a day or evening, but they also change my vibe. A pop of color in a bag signifies confidence and can transform the outfit. Also, accessories always fit! If you’ve gained or lost a few pounds, shoes, handbags, and jewelry won’t disappoint when looking in the mirror. Other favorite ways to change an outfit are scarves and necklaces. You can transform an old, oversized cardigan sweater with layers of necklaces or just one. If you have a sweater or t-shirt you like but may have grown tired of, try adding a luxury scarf for additional elegance.
As a fashionista yourself, how do you express your own personal style, and are there any key elements or signature pieces that you consistently incorporate into your wardrobe?
My signature style is dependent on my mood for that day, but I love sophisticated looks with a hint of edge. I personally love prints and bold colors and have been enjoying color-blocking statements. I am not a minimalist, but I work with clients who prefer monochromatic aesthetics. I am also an everyday dresser and make sure that I feel good in comfortable, quality pieces when I’m working from home.
To celebrate the new year, I had an opportunity to speak candidly with Rachel Zoe, the trendsetting OG. I was anxious about a Zoom call with the icon, mostly because I hate my look on Zoom. Rachel was so insightful and engaging that I forgot about my Zoom look and concentrated on what she said. I was looking for guidance on her mindset and how she built an empire based on style and faced challenges. I was looking for guidance on re-entering an industry later in life. In my 20s and 30s, fashion was at the forefront of my career, working in my family fashion business and opening a retail women’s clothing boutique while writing for national publications on fashion, style, and events. Later, life changes and opportunities drove me to pivot from fashion to biotech investor relations. As a single mom, I worked like crazy to do what I had to do to climb a corporate ladder. Being stylish is underestimated in ladder-climbing, but fashion took a back seat. As I re-embark into fashion styling after many years, I am thrilled (and relieved) to follow my true passion.
Three key takeaways from our conversation about career pivoting:
1) Embrace your past successes and failures so they guide your future. Use what you’ve learned in the world. Rachel’s approach is to embrace the present, trust the process, and believe you are where you should be. If you work hard and trust your gut, the rest will follow.
2) Her following advice regarding work and career was that doing what you love doesn’t feel like work. So, find what you love and what you’re passionate about and make a career of it, no matter what stage of life you’re in
3) Lastly, Rachel Zoe thinks that if you plan and set goals, you set yourself up for failure. For some, goal setting works, but seizing opportunities and being present is more important for her.
As Gabrielle Chanel said, “Fashion changes, but style endures.” During my years in the corporate world, style remained my passion, and I am so excited to share this journey of working with people to develop their signature style, leaving them looking and feeling their absolute best. I highly recommend listening to Rachel’s podcast, “Climbing in Heels,” part two of this blog summarizes my takeaways from Rachel Zoe’s first podcast of 2024. She still owns style and trendsetting, but her business acumen was the key to her success.
So many of us consider ourselves savvy shoppers and chic dressers, yet even the most stylish stylists need a stylist. Here are eight ways stylists help streamline YOUR clothing chaos and enhance your personal and professional life.
Inventory and Closet Detox: Stylists help determine what to keep, toss, donate, or consign, and, in many cases, return. This doesn’t have to be a painful task, and all stylists will agree that clients have items in their closet that can have a whole new life even if it’s for someone else! Donating clothing can be rewarding, cathartic or an income stream.
Fresh Perspective: Even the most stylish fashionistas can use a fresh perspective, an objective eye for trends, and a new point of view. Stylists know how to accessorize long-forgotten pieces hiding in the closet, bringing new life to old favorites.
Access to Exclusive Items and Private Sales: Stylists consistently watch for new arrivals and markdowns, so the client doesn’t have to. When a client has their eye on their ‘holy grail’ handbag or a special dress but doesn’t want to pay full retail or can’t locate one, their stylists have secret sources to help. A good stylist has cultivated relationships with retailers and suppliers to make things easy, especially when clients live far from a metropolitan area.
Meet New People: Stylists have access to exclusive events and other unique offerings they share with their clients, providing an excellent opportunity for clients to meet, network, and socialize with new people.
Suggestions: Stylists study body types and sizes and stay current on trends, new designers, and changes in the fashion industry. They suggest new ways of wearing an existing item or adding a new accessory to bring life to an older piece. Perhaps a client is looking for less is more, or fewer pieces of higher quality. A good stylist guides clients through parting with items that no longer serve them.
Special Event Preparation: Everyone has had events and no clue what to wear. Dress code interpretations can be confounding! It’s a stylist’s job to understand the needs of events. Stylists spend their time narrowing down options from multiple sources so the client can spend less time running from store to store or scrolling for hours coming up frustrated, with an empty cart. They know what brands to shop for every occasion and budget, and their goal should be to make a client look and feel their best. Stylists also help identify ways to reimagine a dress or outfit the client has worn multiple times.
Change: One constant in life is change. When a client’s life changes, or they want to make a style change, new purchases and replacements might be necessary. Stylists pull together prepared looks and suggest tailored changes for each client. Together, the client and stylist review what works and what doesn’t and make final decisions. Hate making returns? Stylists can tackle that.
Objective Opinion: Wouldn’t we all love a talking mirror to tell us when something doesn’t look right on us or how to make it look better? Imagine if that mirror provided guidance to take a fearless fashion risk with confidence, for any occasion. A stylist will guide the client through choices of what to wear and how, so their best look shines through.
While a stylist may seem an excessive or unnecessary expense, the end goal is savings, self-confidence, and most importantly, a more fun and fulfilling life. After all, life IS more fun when you love what you’re wearing!
Accepting my first senior-level role was one of the most exciting moments of my corporate career. Before the Zoom boom, I traveled to Switzerland for the interview. On a SwissAir overnight flight, I was nervous and although my seat was in coach, paying to upgrade was an investment. I was determined to come home knowing the job was mine, and I knew they had already interviewed several more qualified candidates.
Aside from the usual preparation for a job interview, my fashion choice and my style would absolutely guarantee me the best chance for success. For this role at a Swiss/French biotech company, I needed to look polished, professional, and chic, but not overstated. Black, grey or navy would have been safe but I had to stand out. Research proved that the CEO herself was a fashionable, brilliant and powerful woman and not OVERDOING the style, but still looking chic was crucial.
It was a warm September day near Geneva, Switzerland in the early 2010’s, and I opted for a Theory loosely fitted, burgundy crepe waist-tie belted dress with a dark grey shrug and taupe patent leather pumps. The dress will forever be etched in my mind as my tool to win the job. I kept my accessories minimal with just a little neck scarf and a traditional, burgundy briefcase (from Henri Bendel) for my papers and hard copy resumes. I wasn’t thrilled with the bag, but I promised myself that if I landed the job, I would buy myself a work tote that I loved. And I did, several more since then actually.
When I walked in and met the CEO looking and feeling my absolute best, I knew the job was mine. She and I connected on the fashion level, which supersedes a lot of other qualifiers. My message is, never underestimate the power of what you wear for job interviews or business meetings. In my case, a carefully chosen, simple burgundy Theory crepe dress literally drove my career trajectory.
Although none of those circa 2015 pieces are available any longer, here are my picks for strong alternatives. I can’t promise you that you will land the job, but I can promise you will be noticed!
This is going to sound totally strange, but I like spending time in airports. In fact, with major renovations to metropolitan airports and less predictable arrivals and departures, people will no doubt be spending more and more time in them. I typically give myself more than enough time for check-in and boarding, mostly for the people watching and people meeting. I have met so many interesting people in airport lounges and had lots of great conversations over drinks while sitting at the bar and watching travelers stroll by. So it makes sense, because you never know how long you will be there, you ought to look and feel your best while in travel purgatory.
Part of what makes people watching in the airport interesting is, of course, seeing what they’re wearing, what they are carrying, and wondering where they’re going. I always like to look effortless but polished. Wearing lots of layers, including a Maison Cashmere (or other brand) v-neck sweater over a long-sleeved t-shirt or collared white shirt, and a blazer by M.M. LaFleur, paired with my favorite of all time travel pants, the air essentials or the perfect pant in hi-rise flare by Spanx, saves valuable real-estate in carry-on pieces. I even stuff my generous sized work tote into an even more generous sized soft suitcase which poses as my “personal item,” but, I don’t travel lightly.
For those looking for impeccable travel style, a structured oversized tote (think The Row’s Marguax, Prada’s Galleria, Dior’s Book Tote) atop a chic carry-on suitcase with the right layered clothing look will be a sure stand-out. Finish with a pair of designer Rock-Stud sneaks by Valentino and your fit for your flight is finito!
My personal favorite carry-on is by far the Rimowa (pronounced Rimova) Essential Cabin polycarbonate rolling bag (it’s super lightweight AND chic). I love these suitcases despite the price, and because of the price. $900 for the Essential cabin size, says about the wearer, ‘I invest in travel, and value a bag that can practically wheel itself through the airport.’ Give the bag a nudge and it goes a mile. It’s also lightweight compared to the aluminum (and pricier) Rimowa models. Mine is now cracked at the top so hooray! My five-year generously honored, secured me a brand, shiny new one in petal pink!
