We first met Juvelle Behrendorff , a fashion stylist from Perth, at a Telstra Perth Fashion Festival. She was hard not to miss and we knew you’d want to know why. Juvelle was the Australian Style Institute’s 2016 Stylist of the Year. And she’s going from strength to strength.
How would you describe what you do?
Clothing is more than just what we wear, it can evoke moods, build confidence and change the way we perceive ourselves (and how others perceive us). I help my personal styling clients to feel and look their very best self every day.
Editorial styling is a little different. It’s essentially bringing life to someone’s idea or vision. It can be like art creating an editorial photoshoot.
How did you make your start in styling?
I hit a quarter life crisis and knew I needed a change. I decided to take a leap of faith and change my career. I started by studying an Advanced Course with the Australian Style Institute in Melbourne and I have never looked back.
What’s the most challenging aspect of your work?
The hustle! Working for yourself means you need to make sure you keep putting yourself out there, saying yes to jobs and creating work. It also means that when I get home, work isn’t actually done for the day. Often I am up past midnight replying to emails, creating social media content and just getting organised for the next day. Last year there was a period where I worked 8 months straight, 7 days a week, before I took a weekend off. If you don’t do it no one else will for you – that is the beauty and also the hardest part of being freelance.
Best advice you’ve ever been given? (Related to styling or just in general)
Stay in your own lane. We can often be distracted by what everyone else is doing or achieving, especially now that everything is out in the open on social media. However, if you focus on what everyone else is doing (and essentially what you aren’t) you are going to miss your own opportunities or forget to celebrate your achievements. Everyone walks their own path and you never know what could be around the corner.
Most prized item in your wardrobe?
A vintage quilted Chanel bag I found in a designer vintage store in Florence. It only comes out on special occasions, it was one of the first designer items I ever bought.
Highlight of your styling career so far?
Being awarded the Australian Style Institute Stylist of the Year in 2016 was up there. It was an honour to be recognised by my peers and mentors and something that I still find overwhelming. It was at that moment that I knew changing a career into styling was the right decision.
Can you describe your style in three words?
My style often changes with my mood but if I was to put it into three words I would say: contemporary, tailored, eclectic.
Your advice for any aspiring stylists?
Go for it! If it’s your passion then keep hustling, it’s worth it.
Best piece of style advice?
If you love it, wear it! There really are no rules. Nothing looks better than confidence and feeling great in what you are wearing.
What’s next for you?
I’ve just finished a really busy 6 week period with the Telstra Perth Fashion Festival and a runway I produced for an event called Privé Fashion Platform. So I am looking forward to getting back to the normal routine with personal clients and a few campaign photo shoots coming up.
Follow Juvelle on instagram at : @stylebyjuvelle
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Meet another fashion stylist from Perth here: Andrea Lewin, in our Meet the Stylist series.
