Behind The Scenes of A Stylist

You’ve seen our latest Cat Apparel collection, as well as, our daring footwear. But perhaps now, you are wondering how to put it all together.
In this blog, we sit down and chat with Gqeberha’s style expert: Mel. As someone who has been in the styling game for quite some time now, Mel takes us on the journey of her creative process when working with clients, as well as, where she draws her inspiration from.

And of course, there will be some tips and tricks on how to up your style game, along the way!

1. What inspired you to become a stylist/makeover artist?

It wasn’t my initial instinct to become a hairstylist, but generally, I was interested in being in some kind of creative industry. It wasn’t until finding the correct environment with like-minded creative peers that my passion was ignited and I really began falling in love with what I do.

2. What is your experience and background in the fashion and beauty industry? 

This year will make it my 11th year behind the chair. I have the privilege of working with incredible brands like GHD and Schwarzkopf Professional where we get to see the two worlds of fashion and hair collide.

3. What is your creative process when working with a client?

If I could explain what I see in my mind during the creative process, I would say that each canvas of hair is like a puzzle to me. Sometimes there are missing pieces that we need to find and fit into place and others are 99% complete, they just needed that last piece to fit into place for an incredibly satisfying “stand back and look at your masterpiece” moment.

4. How do you stay current with the latest fashion trends?

Social media without a doubt plays a massive role in not only keeping me up to date with trends but also my clients. It’s really quite phenomenal how we can all have access to global emerging trends before we even know they are a trend. My clients are sometimes ahead of me in terms of emerging trends and often guide me towards new and fresh looks.

5. How do you communicate and collaborate with clients to achieve their desired look?

I think the single most important part of our profession is how we communicate and manage expectations. I always love having visual references from clients because I find it takes the very technical “hairdressing language” out of the equation and it opens the door for a much easier way of discussing our end result.

6. What is your approach to styling clients according to body type/ face shape/ skin tone/ height? (Perhaps give us some tips on what works well for different features).

This might be an unpopular opinion, but more often than not, I don’t always take physical features into consideration. To a certain degree, if I feel that the desired outcome really wouldn’t suit that person, I will advise on alternative looks/colours, but for the most part, most of us have a very deep emotional attachment to our hair and have a specific idea of how our hair should look, to become a part of our identity. So, the majority of the time I want to hear the client’s inspiration for their desired look and tailor it to them from there.

7. What is your philosophy when it comes to incorporating personal style into a client’s new look?

I think my personal style naturally filters into the majority of the work I do, because a lot of my clients and I have a lot in common. Even if there’s a big age gap between us (younger or older) there’s almost always that middle ground where we understand one another. I think it’s important to incorporate “a bit of me” in all of my work because it’s my expression as an artist.

8. What do you believe are the most important qualities for a successful stylist/ makeover artist to possess?

First and foremost, Never. Stop. Learning. Other than that, the human connection we get to have with our clients is sacred. I think the privilege we have of giving someone a feeling of confidence is incredibly powerful and the relationships we build along the way should always be cared for and nurtured.

9. Tell us about the inspiration behind the way you chose to style your chosen Caterpillar pieces?

One thing about me is that I love an all-black outfit. My wardrobe consists of mostly neutral pieces. So, when I saw the oversized Cat hoodie and the chunky boots, I knew I had to create an edgy look. For the first look, I paired it with a long black t-shirt, and black shorts with sheer black stockings. You will notice that I added a harness over the hoodie, this was to create some shape and highlight my natural curves without taking away too much from the hoodie itself.

For my second outfit, I wanted more of a grunge look, so I paired my chunky Cat Footwear boots with a simple black dress and stockings, and as my statement piece, added a cow print baggy denim jacket. 

Both styles show how you can wear oversized pieces in different ways that still complement your personal style and aesthetic. Also, in true Caterpillar fashion, I’m never afraid to be bold, as you can see in the statement harness and cow print jacket. Being daring is all about confidence, and this is the true key to styling any outfit.

Feeling inspired by Mel’s journey? Then how about putting these tips to the test with your Caterpillar wardrobe? Always remember, that part of being bold, means being confident – so keep that energy when you are rocking our apparel or footwear. And, don’t forget to tag us on socials when you do!