Color, Culture, and Creativity: Henar McAuley’s 5 Days of Fashion Styling Experience

Which course did you enroll in and why?

I enrolled in the Vogue’s 5 Days in Fashion Styling course. It was only when I reached out to someone who took this course that I realized how great the program was.

Although I was interested in many of the course options, I was most interested in learning how to ideate and execute a vision for a project or look.

Creation, style, and authentic self-expression drive my creativity and passion, so much so that I applied for this course. I naturally have quite a unique fashion sense, so I thought I could bring my personal taste to the course.

Blending Mediterranean vintage luxury with an earthy muse aesthetic is my way of representing myself through fashion. I knew this course would allow me to explore different forms of styling and open my eyes to the possibilities within this career.

How has the program contributed to your growth, either professionally or academically?

This course helped me explore opportunities within the industry and understand how to apply my unique fashion sense through various avenues. It has inspired me to try both editorial and celebrity styling, as I initially believed I was only good at personal styling.

I learned how my love of culture and music can weave into my unique styling approach. For example, our still life shoot was based around a musical concept I developed from the task brief. Inspired by 1970s music, we set our shoot in the record section of a shop.

Playing with burgundy and red tones, as well as vintage filters, the shoot was a successful representation of the ways music from all eras can unite us and deeply connect to our personal style.

What was your day-to-day experience like?

For the first half of the week, the days typically began with a lecture or two, going through a different aspect of styling (personal, celebrity, red carpet, menswear, classics, street style, and still life). This was followed by an afternoon of practical work, preparing you for shoot day.

On Tuesday afternoon, we visited the Royal Society of Arts to receive six short speeches from members of the Condé Nast team, two of whom were Vogue alumni. This was incredibly insightful, as we were shown the range of jobs and opportunities in the fashion world, ranging from talent agents to brand managers.

Wednesday was our museum trip, and Thursday was the much-anticipated shoot day! Each hour was dedicated to a different personal or group project, so the day was frantic and exhilarating, showing the realities of behind-the-scenes work within the industry.

We explored London to get the perfect photos for still life or street style. However, the most prominent part of the day was the classics shoot. Working in a real studio with professional photographers, hair and makeup artists, and a model made all of the hard work worth it.

Friday was our day to present, where we displayed the work our group had created throughout the week. This was followed by a Q&A with lecturers.

Finally, the students from each discipline got together for celebratory drinks and speeches—a lovely way to end a hard but rewarding week!

Describe your favorite day of the program. Where did you go and who did you meet?

After a morning of eye-opening lectures on menswear styling and personal styling, my group had the opportunity to visit the Schiaparelli exhibition at the V&A Museum.

Entering the museum felt like coming home. I have always felt a strong connection to art museums. You’re welcomed with a collection of Roman and Greek statues which ignited my passion for art as I love Greek mythology. The exhibition itself was beautiful.

We were brought through the mind of Elsa Schiaparelli and her innovative body of work from gilded waistcoats and fantastical cloaks to dresses worn by my favorite celebrities.

There was one look, however, that stopped me in my tracks: Body Bijoux (2022), a golden and bejeweled ensemble that looks like sun rays. It was such a gift to be able to view this piece in person.

Could you share a little about your background and current work?

Growing up in a creative environment, I found myself within the music and theater worlds. I am a classically trained singer with a drama degree and a love of fashion and personal exploration. During university I gravitated toward fashion, leaning into color as a fashion tool, which led me to get certified in color analysis.

I am beginning my career as a stylist and color analyst, while still maintaining my love of music (I hope to release music soon). I love styling for my own performances, creating an authentic, earthy, yet luxurious look for each one.

What were the most valuable skills you gained during the courses?

Open-mindedness. I have often stuck to my ideas with possibly too much conviction, but working within a group forced me to open my eyes to collaboration and how ideas can meld, mold, and grow.

Also, time management. You will struggle to get everything done in time as you have plenty to do. However, each assignment taught me a new skill or piece of knowledge about the industry to take away.

Learning how to juggle each task is not only representative of life in the fashion world, but also helpful when recognizing your talent and ability to achieve your goals in a short amount of time.