Erik Raynal
Erik Raynal is a stylist who splits his time between Paris, Berlin, and London. He got his start in styling by launching a magazine and styling shoots for the editorials and now serves as Creative Director to Triptyque and Fashion Editor to Ansinth Magazine.
What is your earliest memory of fashion?
I remembered reading some old 80s fashion magazines in my family cellar when I was very young, then watching some old fashion advertisings on tv or while watching movies or series with actors, being particularly awarded of their styles...
but what really stuck in my mind was attending a Dior show early 2000s in Paris, I think it was Christian Dior SS 2004 (that was my first, aged of 10)
How did you get into styling?
While I was studying I launched an online fashion and culture dedicated magazine with several emerging and established contributors, we were very small and just had a few members so it happened that I styled some of the magazine editorials, then after some breaks I started assisting occasionally but it's really when I moved to London that I considered it an actual job and I met more people and photographers that allowed me to work with them and start building my portfolio.
What does fashion mean to you?
I'm not particularly interested in Fashion itself but more about style, how to dress and use garments as tools to express and show our personalities… To me, Fashion is more this global field that represents a whole aesthetic around clothing and creative artistic expression, it's also very much related to a business that is becoming very huge and more and more powerful!
What is your idea of a perfect day?
I just like being active and productive in a not (too) stressful way, most of the time it starts with a good healthy breakfast, some morning exercises and begin my work routine with things like research, checking emails, social media etc. then it goes spontaneously regarding schedules and priorities when there is no specific production on that day. I like really like ending the day in nice surroundings or going to events or exhibitions, just to feel a bit more free-minded before going to sleep.
Whats the best advice you’ve ever been given?
I think it's only recently when I got the chance to meet the very respected Grace Coddington, she simply told me to always follow your creative instinct, to stick to your values and creativity as well as your aesthetics no matter the era, or the trend everyone is following... At the end of the day, we're creatives and need to develop our work through many years in the direction we really wanna take and knowing that not everyone will like it so you better stick with it!
courtesy ERIK RAYNAL
words HANNAH GLENN
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