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| Naila Ruechel |
I’ll start at the beginning. Do you feel that you were born with fashion sense, or is it something you kind of picked up along the way?
I can’t say for sure that I was born with a strong fashion sense. I never really played dress up as a kid. I was interested in books about dinosaurs. Then I discovered photo books by the great Irvin Penn. My father is a photographer and he had a subscription to American Photo. I remember being amazed by the work of Nick Knight. Even back then, he was ahead of his time.
I also discovered Harper’s Bazaar during the years of Liz Tilberis. That’s really when I became seriously interested in fashion. I would conceal the magazine between the pages of my math book. Needless to say, I did very poorly in math after the age of 13.
And what got you started in styling?
Despite my interest in fashion, I became a stylist quite by accident. I studied photography in college and worked as a photo assistant for a huge catalog house. They did mainly soft goods for Bloomingdales. One day a position opened up for assistant styling and I applied. I hadn’t had any previous experience but learned fast. It was a great job and taught me a lot about the technical aspect of styling. The clothes needed to be folded into perfect stacks or laid down to look just so. There was a lot of pinning and taping. I also learned a lot about prop styling. We put up walls and built sets. I was 17 years old.
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| Naila featured in Women's Wear Daily along with other prominent stylists. |
Inspiration is everywhere. I find it in people, nature, music, as well as old photographs and garments from eras past.
Do you believe that there is one specific part of a look that is most important?
A look is a sum of its parts, so to me, everything is important. Finding balance is what I think works best so as not to look overdone. For example, if I’m wearing a very short skirt I am more likely to wear flat than stilettos. I have a long mink coat that I love. It is very extravagant so if I’m wearing it in the daytime I dress it down with jeans or a long grey skirt. I like glamour and luxury but I like to keep it youthful.
Name some of your favorite designers…
I will forever adore Miuccia Prada. She makes clothes of the highest quality. They are wearable but have a very quirky and whimsical feel that always makes me smile. Of course I think Alexander McQueen was genius. Lanvin and Balenciaga are also favorites.
I have to say though that I also like brands like Kate Spade, Anthropologie and J. Crew who are putting out well designed, quality garments that are more accessible to the buying public. Then there are the designers who are lesser known in America like Colette Dinnigan and Akira Isogawa. There are so many amazing designers making fabulous clothes. I like to work with them all.
Who do you consider to be a major style icon at the moment?
I think we dish out the title “style icon” far too quickly. Being a socialite with the available funds to buy all the latest designer garments does not mean you automatically deserve the honor. I think you have to make a significant impact on popular culture as well. Although she is no longer with us, I still consider Isabella Blow to be the quintessential style icon.
Lady Gaga is pushing the envelope and challenging the other players on the pop music landscape. Michelle Obama has redefined how a first lady can and should look. That makes them iconic.
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| Naila on set with Mayor Corey Booker |
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| Naila on set with President Barack Obama |
You’ve styled some of the biggest names in Hollywood, but what I’m really dying to know is what it was like to dress President & First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama?
It was an extraordinary experience. There was something intoxicating about being in the presence of these truly powerful people. They are both very charismatic. They look you in the eye and speak with a directness and charm that puts you at ease but in the back of your mind you know you have to be on top of your game. It was awesome!
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| Various shoots and events. Naila Ruechel pictured with Philip Glass, Jamie Foxx, Denzel Washington, Liev Schreiber, Alek Wek, President Obama and others. |
Fashion-wise, where do you think America is right now? And how about your native country of Jamaica?
I think we are in a time when everyone understands the importance of packaging one’s self well and that one’s appearance can have direct impact on the level of success you achieve in life. Television, with all the style shows, is partially responsible for that and it is a good thing.
Overall, I find America to be a very casual country in terms of fashion but we are getting better at expressing ourselves through clothing. American designers like Proenza Schouler and Marc Jacobs have also really upped the ante in terms of creativity in a country whose design is often considered safe and conservative.
I am very proud of my Jamaican Heritage and its contribution to fashion and music. I don’t think Puma, or street style in general, would be what they are today without the influence of reggae and dancehall. I think I come from one of the coolest countries in the world. People’s eyes brighten up when I tell them I’m from Jamaica.
OK. Now I want the goods. What’s in YOUR closet? Is it similar to your styling wardrobe?
My personal style is quite eclectic. Sometimes I am in the mood for simple, utilitarian gear but my closet is also filled with bold patterns sequins and fur. I have many personalities when it comes to clothing and that’s exactly what fashion is: ever changing.
And where are some of your favorite places to shop?
The Prada store in SoHo, Browns in London, Colette in Paris and Akira in Sydney. I used to love Takashimaya, but they are no longer in New York. You have to go to Japan or Singapore.
OK last one but totally the most important (to me). What are your ten commandments of style?
Always wear mascara!
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