We are continuing with our new blog series of Stylists having their say on the @GirlMeetsDress blog, Every few days we will invite a stylist to share their style picks with us. They will answering a few of our fashion Q&As as well as  picking their 6 favourite items from Girl Meets Dress…We hope you enjoy!

Today we’re picking the mind of  Natalie Robinson. Natalie is a fashion consultant and  founder of Style Icon, She  has collaborated on projects with big names such as  London Fashion Weekend and the Clothes Show Live to name a few.  Natalie also teaches an ‘Introduction to Personal Styling’ course at the Fashion Retail Academy in Central London and has been sponsored by British Airways to be a keynote speaker at their Office*exhibition. Natalie’s 15 years of experience, countless celebrity connections and solid work ethic have propelled her career into the success it is today.

Natalie answered a few of our questions:

– How would you describe your style?
Classic with a contemporary twist! I love mixing classic and vintage pieces! I like to play with style as opposed to follow trends! I am an interpreter of fashion!

– What are your fashion loves, and your hates?
Fashion loves – hats, and other accessories like broaches, necklaces, funky gloves and I love faux fur which ‘glams up’ an outfit. I hate trying too hard with fashion i.e. dressing head to toe in the same designer or wearing a piece just because it’s the latest trend. I have to love the designer but most importantly the fit of a particular piece and how it compliments the rest of what I am wearing.

– What’s the most loved item in your wardrobe?
My Biba Hat. I always receive compliments when I wear it!

– What advice would you have for anyone wanting to get into styling?
Love what you do!! Pay particular attention to detail! I run a 3 day styling course at The Fashion Retail Academy in Central London! You need a sense of individual style to appreciate how to style others!

– Where do you get your inspiration from?
Watching old movies, music videos and street style as I often pay attention to how other people dress which gives me more ideas for styling.

– Name one item no stylist should be without?
Needle & Thread. You always need to make minor alterations!!

– What is your favourite SS14 trend?
Would have to be tartan in the form of accessories! Also, loving the phantom Celine bag in more summery colours!!

Here are some of Natalie’s picks from GirlMeetsDress.com

Ariella Scarlet Gown –

This black dress is stunningly beautiful and ideal for a special occasion.

It’s important to have a classic staple piece as you never know when that special occasion will occur.

Ariella Gisele Gown

  I love this dress! It’s quite spectacular. As a celebrity stylist gold looks great on the red carpet!

Ciara wore a beautiful gold dress at this year’s Grammy Awards.

Marc Jacobs Rainbow Paillette

This dress is fun, and quite retro! Ideal for a party!

Keep accessories simple with this dress as it speaks for itself!

McQ Tartan Print Dress

 Tartan is a big trend this season!! You’d definitely look the part in this dress. It’s quite fitted so ideal for a boyish shape. Compliment it with a cool black leather jacket. A great everyday dress. You can dress it up or down!

Clover Canyon Royal Horse

A great dress. Reminds me of old Alexander Mcqueen designs or Mary Katranzou!!

A fun, directional piece! Love the colours, and a great slender fit!!

You can find out more about StyleIcon on their website www.style-icon.co.uk and on twitter using @styleiconnat 

Join in the conversation at GMD by following us at @GirlMeetsDress for more tips and style advice

Continuing with our new blog series of Stylists having their say on the GMD blog, today we’re picking the mind of Kalee Hewlett. Kalee is a fashion and celebrity stylist and has worked in the industry for many years. Throughout this time she has worked on feature films; television; commercials; pop promos and now sits herself firmly within the fashion and presenting arena. Kalee’s talents have led her into styling for a range of international fashion titles and personal styling for a number of prominent TV personalities.

She answered a few of our questions:

How would you describe your style?

Eclectic and diverse. My style can very much depend on my mood and what I’m doing that day. I love prints and interesting pieces, I love to rummage through vintage shops to find original one off pieces. Generally my style is very much boho meets rock.

What’s your fashion loves and hates?

Fashion loves – anything with embellishment and sequins and I’m partial to a good hat!

Hates – is there really anything to hate about fashion? Each to their own. Fashion is fun!

 What advice would you have for anyone wanting to get into styling?

Make sure it’s what you really want to do because you will have to throw everything into it. You need to be driven, self disciplined, determined and most of all believe in yourself. If you have all of these ingredients and you’re really hungry for it, get as much experience as you possibly can in the industry, network at every given opportunity and stay true to yourself.

 Where do you get your inspiration from?

Everywhere and everything. Creation is all around us. Street style has become a huge influence now. I travel a lot which really feeds my inspiration.

Name one item no stylist should live without?

An A4 diary to assist with organising that busy schedule of yours!

 What is your favourite SS14 trend?

Lace – so happy to see the return of lace again this season. So intricate, beautiful delicate and feminine.

Find out more about Kalee on Twitter: @KaleeHewlett

While you’re at it, make sure you follow us @GirlMeetsDress – for all the gossip from GMD HQ!

We’re indroducing a new series of blog posts here at GMD HQ. Every few days we will invite a stylist to share their style picks with us. They’ll pick their 6 favourite items from Girl Meets Dress as well as answering a few Q&As! We hope you enjoy!

Today our guest stylist is Sara Darling, a freelance London based fashion/wardrobe stylist, Fashion Editor and fashion/lifestyle journalist. Her portfolio consists of fashion editorials, celebrity shoots and appearances, TV commercials, internet virals, brand consultancy, campaigns and music videos.

Let’s see what her top 6 picks are:

Find Sara’s picks at Girl Meets Dress:

1. The Wardrobe Newland Dress Blue
2. Diva Sophia Jessica Gown Gold
3. Ossie Clark Colour Block Dress
4. Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair Edge Dress
5. Ekaterina Kukhareva Purple Patchwork Dress
6. Krystof Strozyna Petal Dress

Now for the Q&As!

– How would you describe your style?

I am a chameleon! I like quirky vintage granny style and on other days I’m all about the tomboy on others preppy! I also have an addiction to leather trousers, so am a lover of the rock chick look when the feeling takes me! It all depends on my mood or the weather!

– What are your fashion loves, and your hates?

Massive hate is trodden down jeans at the back, and coats which have lost their belts and people who are anal about matching their socks! Loves are handbags- the bigger and brasher the better! And I’m a big fan of a bonnet.

– What’s the most loved item in your wardrobe?

Any of my six pairs of leather trousers! Or my No 23 American Football top and my tie dye Prada dress- my failsafe smart day to night frock….

– What advice would you have for anyone wanting to get into styling?

Start testing with other creatives, assist an established stylist in the field you want to get in to, and be prepared for a lot of running about doing returns!

– Where do you get your inspiration from?

Social media- Twitter, blogs, Pintrest and street style. Obviously when I see the shows at London and international fashion weeks I get inspired-  that is where I get excited for my shoot ideas.

– Name one item no stylist should be without?

Bulldog clips!

– What is your favourite SS14 trend?

The 80s! As seen on Balmain, St Laurent and Lanvin.

Today our Featured Blogger is Beckie Gregory who is the founder and editor of Delightful Finds & Me, a fashion and lifestyle blog. A self-confessed “lover of all things delightful, pretty, inspiring and fabulous”, she tells us about her 5 favourite dresses for 5 different occasions: weddings, black tie events, Royal Ascot, daytime, and a 1920s party.

You can rent all of Beckie’s chosen occasion dresses at Girl Meets Dress today!

1. For a Wedding: Victoria Beckham Plumerias Print Dress

I have a wedding coming up and it is always hard deciding what to wear. I try to avoid the obvious high street choices as this is where most of the other guests will be looking and it would be embarrassing to have the same outfit as someone else! GMD is a perfect solution to this problem. I love this Victoria Beckham dress, which will be great for an early summer wedding and I have not worn anything of hers up to now, so happy to give her designs a try. – This summery Victoria Beckham dress will ensure you look suitably chic for a wedding!

2. For a Black Tie Event: Badgley Mischka Odessa Peplum Gown

I love this dress and am a massive fan of the peplum – the peplum is just so flattering. As well as looking fabulous I think it is also important to feel comfortable and I think the peplum and colour will definitely help with that. – Celebrity dress as worn by Saturday’s girlband member, Vanessa White. 

3. For Royal Ascot: Opulence England Embellished Mullet Hem Dress

I am super excited for Royal Ascot in June and hope to actually see a horse this year. Usually I just stay in the champagne tent and do not really venture near the horses which is bad! For me the day is all about the outfit (and the champagne!) and this dress will be perfect with a big black hat and some killer heels. – We also love this beautifully embellished rhinestone corset!

4. For Daytime: Y.A.S Selina Dress

For a day dress I like something that is casual enough for the day but that can be easily dressed up for the evening with heels and bling! I think this dress would work perfectly for that. – Perfect for transitioning between day and night.

5. For a 1920s Party: Marta Fernandez Double Velvet Dress

I love this dress and although I happen to have a 1920’s party to go to, I think you could wear this anytime. Since the new Great Gatsby movie there has been so much 1920’s fashion around and I love it. – Be transported to the 1920s in this beautiful dress.