Neesha Sharma has been fashion styling within the UK urban music industry for over 5 years, and has made quite a name for herself due to her daring fashion sense and her vivacious personality. Starting out in music promotions, Neesha networked her way to the top and has racked up an impressive resume along the way, working with big artists such as Keisha White and Amerie, as well as styling for various tours including Sean Paul, Kylie Minogue and 50 Cent. ORIGINS caught up with the fashionista to find out how she styled her way to the top.
ORIGINS: How did you get into fashion styling?
I studied fashion and ended up working in music through DJ Swing. I used to go clubbing a lot and he just was like, “I watch you all the time - you know all the words, you know all the tracks. You should go into music!” My first job was in specialist promotions, which was marketing and promoting records to specialist radio, pirate radio, street teams, a little bit of student press and student radio. I used to specialise in hip-hop and reggae. It was hilarious – when I used to phone up the radio DJs I couldn’t understand a word they were saying! From there I worked for Mark Morrison – I was his PA. Everything sounds greater than it is! He was a pain in the arse, but I learned a lot.
ORIGINS: How did you move from music promotion into fashion?
All the while I used to be out I used to make loads of clothes, or design stuff and have it made. People would always say, “You should do fashion.” How I got into styling, Mark had a girl group and they had a stylist, and they came into the office one day and they were like, “Oh my God, it’s you! We see you clubbing all the time; we love the way you dress! We’re sacking our stylist and we want you!” I didn’t really know how the whole game worked at the time, in terms of styling, but it went well – they were happy.
After that I used to work on the door at Sound and I met someone whose friend was a stylist and needed an assistant. Working on the door of a club you meet a lot of people! From that I learnt how styling worked – what you don’t see, you know. The running around, going to press offices, the begging, the borrowing, the lying - how physically demanding it is. From working with her I learned the groundwork. I was with her for a while and then one of her clients requested they sack her and employ me! And that caused a whole hoo-hah and then that was it!
From that point I started doing more stuff on my own, building up my portfolio, doing test shoots, meeting photographers, putting shoots together, networking, networking, networking!
ORIGINS: How would you describe your style?
The best! I would actually say I’m very adaptable, even in my personal style – one day I might be quite glam, one day I might be quite fashiony, one day I might be quite trendy. With my styling it will always be sharp, slick, and a little bit sexy. I believe women should look like women, and men should look like men. I do like glitz and glamour, you know. I like sex appeal.
ORIGINS: How do you style an artist? Is it what you want or what they want?
I would prefer to sit down with an artist, or have a conversation with them, and feel them out. For me, it’s really important to harness something from their personality. I don’t like to tell someone, “This is in fashion, you’ve got to wear it,” because I think you’ll look really contrived and fake, like you’re trying too hard. A lot of people look like that right now.
ORIGINS: Do you use the same methods when styling for a company?
To be honest, most companies come to you with a pretty clear idea! With a company there are certain things you’re tied into, and normally in those situations you’re working with a team. The problem with being a stylist sometimes is everyone and their Mum has a point of view, and you’re just there trying to appease everyone!
ORIGINS: Is most of your work based in London, or do you work abroad?
I haven’t been abroad a lot yet. I would really like to work in America. The money just isn’t here. Personally, my style is more in tune with the Americans – it’s a bit more daring, more sexy, more glossy. The budget’s there, the money’s there. Over here when you do black acts it’s almost frowned upon, whereas over there that is the culture. Maybe urban music isn’t big enough here. In America it’s mainstream.
ORIGINS: What are your plans at the moment?
I’ve just done the Phoenix video; there’s a girl called Danni Harmer – I styled her video and album shoot; the K.I.G. photo shoot; a few things for TV. With styling you constantly have to hustle. I was really busy in January and February but then you get times like now when it’s really quiet.
ORIGINS: Career-wise, have you got any goals that you want to achieve by the time your, say, 50?
To be honest, I would genuinely like to have an artist – I don’t want a big star, I just want someone now that’s on the verge – to be with them at the beginning, and then grow with them, you know, develop their look over time. I don’t want someone who’s big already because it’s more fun! It’s a challenge. Can I make them look hot on no money? It’s a bit more exciting, and a little bit more fulfilling.
ORIGINS: Looking back, has it been really difficult to get to where you are now?
For me everything was random. Nothing has been like I’ve really applied for it. All these jobs were random. I didn’t anticipate that working on the door of a club would lead to styling!
ORIGINS: How helpful was your degree?
I did Fashion Marketing, but I don’t think you can be taught style. You either have it or not. It’s very personal and objective. There are things that some people think looks great, and I think it’s horrid! You know, each to their own.
ORIGINS: Lastly, what advice would you give to people currently looking to pursue a career in fashion styling?
Don’t. Just joking! It’s not as glamorous as it might appear. You’re lugging bags around with you everywhere you go. You have to beg, borrow, steal. But on the other side you have a really good easy day! So I would say just not to give up, be focused, get out there and try and get work experience, meet as many people as you can. Believe in yourself, and develop your own sense of style. Try and work out where you want to fit in and get in in that world.
To find out more about Neesha Sharma’s designs and fashion styling, visit:
Luminary Fashion Styling
www.styledbyluminary.com
PUBLISHED IN ORIGINS MEDIA
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