I went to a Krank photography workshop, I felt I did not learn a lot in terms of photography but like my discovery of make up on a model improving the results, the fashion the girls wore blew me away and added to the quality of the images. I knew this did not happen by accident and became accutely aware how a stylist can improve the work of the photographer. The stylist was Elisha Casagrande. It is with great pleasure I share with you an entry on her blog today wriiten by a student journalist Alexa Gordon. I just hope I can work with her whilst I can afford her and before she becomes too famous. Here is her story so far....
“Fashion’s not going to stop the world but confidence will”.
At just 23 years of age, Elisha Casagrande has it all.
Looks, youth, a loving husband and a career that’s taking off faster that you can say ‘Louis Vuitton.’ or whichever high-end fashion label takes your fancy.
There is only one thing standing in Elisha’s way.
Herself.
“I’m my biggest critic. I’m not happy unless I’m perfect at what I’m doing. Whether it’s being the perfect wife, perfect stylist or perfect interior designer.”
That’s a lot to live up to by anyone’s standards, but Elisha it seems, is willing to give it a go.
Elisha grew up in Burpengary, about an hour outside of Brisbane.
“There was nothing to see there, nothing to do,” Elisha says.
Tired of small town life, Elisha moved to Brisbane at age 17.
She enrolled in an Interior Design course and secured work while still at university.
Something wasn’t quite right though.
“My heart just wasn’t in it” Elisha says with a sad smile.
Elisha soon found herself being approached by family and friends inquiring about her knowledge of local fashion designers and her dress sense.
Inspired, Elisha began writing her own online fashion blog, Elisha Casagrande Fashion Stylist.
Elisha soon discovered her love of styling and was contacted by well known designers, photographers and models to style editorial shoots and fashion parades.
“Editorial shoots are a great stepping stone and I’m so grateful to have been given the opportunities that I’ve had,” Elisha says.
“My great passion though is personal styling.”
After much soul searching, Elisha abandoned her studies and set up her own business as a personal stylist.
“I’ve had the opportunity to go back to interior design…giving away all that time and years of study was hard. I kind of regret it but my heart wasn’t in it.”
Elisha’s first break came when fashion brand Mimco’s agency The Taboo Group, approached her to style a campaign for their collection An Unpredictable Revolution.
Elisha was able to showcase her talents and have her images viewed globally.
Following the campaign Elisha was asked to style a photo shoot for collaboration between the National Breast Cancer Foundation and major gym wear line Running Bare.
The aim of the project was to raise money for breast cancer research.
Co-designer for the project, Amy Oram, was impressed with Elisha’s professional manner and energetic approach to the project.
Gold Coast designer, Joanne Rahn, was also impressed with Elisha after collaborating with her on a number of projects.
“It is great collaborating with Elisha, as she brings a lot of energy and excitement to the table,” Rahn says.
Rahn allowed Elisha to borrow labels from her Glamorous Life swimwear collection to style for a photo shoot featuring international model Ellie Gonsalves
After the shoot Rahn was inundated with enquiries from customers and retailers on how they could order one of her pieces, the ‘Marilyn’ swimsuit which Elisha had styled, with Gonsalves as the model.
Elisha also helped style fashion parades for Rahn’s three swimwear labels at BusinessGC Swim 2011 at Sanctuary Cove for FashionTV.
Gonsalves, who is moving to New York this year to compete for a place as a Victoria’s Secret Model, says;
“I see Elisha as becoming one of Australia’s leading stylists - the ‘go to girl’ for style. Elisha’s professionalism & willingness to constantly learn will help assist her career to grow…”
Life in the constantly evolving and unpredictable world of fashion is notoriously difficult to break into though.
It often takes years and the “right contacts” Elisha says, to establish yourself in the industry.
“Styling is a very competitive industry – you must be very passionate, and love the industry to have any chance of ‘making it,’ ” Rahn says.
“I believe Elisha’s passion and drive is what really sets her apart.”
Elisha’s husband, Simon, says “the fashion world is very cut throat, but she absolutely loves it.”
"I support her wholeheartedly, even if it doesn’t always work out financially for us.”
The financial issue may be a thing of the past if Joanne Rahn’s prediction for Elisha comes true.
“I see Elisha in five years time as becoming one of Queensland’s foremost fashion stylists, or potentially overseas in Europe or the States, giving the likes of Rachel Zoe a run for her money!” she says.
So what’s next for this up and coming fashion stylist?
“I’m so excited,” Elisha says.
“Fashion to me isn’t just about looking good, it’s about feeling good about yourself and that’s what I want to give other people.
“Fashion’s not going to stop the world but confidence will.”
Written By Alexa Gordon
And to see some of Elisha's work see my album here.
