Vancouver stylists Nadia Albano, Jason Pillay, and Nathalie Rees recently took part in Eco Fashion Week’s Value Village thrift challenge, where each stylist gets $500 to come up with runway-worthy looks for a fashion show. Now, they talk spring fashion, shopping, closet staples, and whatever else is on their mind this season.
Nadia Albano
This is a woman who wears lots of hats, stylish ones, of course. Albano is a stylist, makeup artist, hair stylist, media personality, and is the owner and operator of Nadia Albano Style Inc., a boutique studio in Kitsilano.
How would you define your style? Casual chic.
Where do you like to shop in Vancouver? I like to shop at many different places and enjoy mixing designer wear with mainstream and vintage/second-hand fashions. Holt Renfrew, Club Monaco, Zara, Winners, The Bay and Value Village.
Three favourite pieces in your wardrobe? My red Alexander Wang bag, black leather jacket, white Converse sneakers (and my Sophia Webster Heels!).
What are you excited to wear for spring/summer? I’m excited to wear white! I think white makes everything pop and looks so chic. I love wearing white-on-white and layering a white blazer with pretty much anything. I also like white eyelet fabric, it looks delicate and perfect for both spring and summer seasons.
Do you follow trends? I always have my eyes on the latest trends, as I think it’s important to stay relevant, but I don’t necessarily follow them. I say, wear what you love and love what you wear.
Favourite local designer? I really admire Jason Matlo and Manuel Mendoza. Both really know how to dress a woman’s body and both design gorgeous bridal collections. For custom statement jewelry, I always wear Elsa Corsi, and for my subtle and classic everyday accessories, I love Leah Alexander.
Biggest style mistakes you see people make? I created a style rule called S.A.S.S: Shop According to your Style and Silhouette. I sometimes see beautiful women, of all shapes and sizes, wearing ill fitting clothing and it pains me. I believe that when you wear clothing that fits your body it can enhance your body shape and, more importantly, your confidence.
Style heroes? I have so many! I’ve always been drawn to Sophia Loren’s beauty and style, and my modern style heroes would have to be Nicole Richie, Olivia Palermo, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Jennifer Lopez.
What spring trends should people embrace? I really love florals, patterned patchwork and fringe details. They all add a little personality to an outfit. Denim is a must, as is a pop of color.
Which should they avoid? I would avoid the paper-bag trousers trend. I think this cut does not work for the majority of women.
Jason Pillay
Stylist Jason Pillay studied fashion business and creative arts and has an unremitting devotion to supporting the local fashion scene. The busy style-maker also works in the costume department of Vancouver’s thriving film industry.
Where do you like to shop in Vancouver? I don’t have specific stores I go to, but I love shopping at all sorts of places. It can range from the boutiques in Gastown, to secondhand stores, to mainstream retailers.
Three favourite pieces in your wardrobe? Currently, it’s my beige trench coat, black combat boots, and super skinny jeans. I’m doing this basic beige trend right now.
What are you excited to wear for spring/summer? I love wearing colour. Tanks, lots of white, neon colours, etc. I’m also really into sunglasses, so I enjoy wearing all sorts of styles.
Do you follow trends? Somewhat. I do pay attention to trends, but I don’t necessarily follow them. In my line of work, I have to be aware, but I like to create my own unique looks, and then it turns into a trend for myself.
Biggest style mistake you see people make? I hope I don’t offend anyone, but personally I don’t like when men wear dress pants that are too short for them. Sometimes I think they are unaware. There are a couple other things: improper fits, bling overload (I do it, within reason), and getting too creative with tights.
Style heroes? Olivier Rousteing and Jeremy Scott.
What spring trends should people embrace? Colors, prints, stripes.
Nathalie Rees
Public relations and style expert Nathalie Rees has worked with top retail brands, such as Westbeach, lifestyle apparel giant lululemon athletica, and successful e-commerce start up Indochino Apparel. She has also worked as stylist for local brand marketing shoots, as well as a wardrobe stylist for some of Vancouver’s most recognizable sports media.
How would you define your style? Classic and feminine, but with a West Coast laid-back feel.
Where do you like to shop in Vancouver? I love all of the Scoop stores – they carry items that can’t be found anywhere else, but have really reasonable pricing. I also love Simons. I grew up shopping there in Quebec City when I was younger, so I am familiar with their store and their in-house collections, and was so excited when they opened in West Vancouver.
Three favourite pieces in your wardrobe? A classic black sleeveless blouse that I just bought from Scoop. I know this will be a staple for me all spring/summer because I can dress it up or down. Denim cut-offs that I bought at a sample sale almost five years ago. They have these little studs on the pockets and are just the right length and fit. My leather jacket. No matter what season or occasion, this jacket ups the cool factor in any look. I wear it with dresses, and I wear it running errands in leggings, a hoodie and running shoes.
What are you excited to wear for spring/summer? I am all about the ‘70s-inspired looks this season. I absolutely love all of the off-the-shoulder tops and dresses. It’s very boho/relaxed, but something about the exposure of the shoulders and neck is just so classy and elegant to me. And even though there is a part of me that can’t believe I’ll do it, I can’t wait to get into a pair of super-flared denim.
Do you follow trends? I do follow trends, but I think to make a trend work you need to: 1) actually like the trend and want to incorporate it into your wardrobe, and 2) find a way to make it work within your own personal style.
Favourite local designer? I love Karma Athletics. I’m usually hitting the gym at some point during the day, not to mention running around after my one-year-old, so I love that their product is great technically and functionally, but is also very fashion driven. The product is also manufactured here in Vancouver.
Biggest style mistakes you see people make? I think one of the biggest mistakes you can make is forcing a trend upon your wardrobe. If you’re only wearing it because it’s trendy, then it never works. I also loathe when shorts are worn too small. I always say, when buying shorts, always, always go up a size or even two.
Style heroes? I love Jillian Harris! She completely embodies what I believe about style, which is that she incorporates trends, but stays true to her own sense of personal style. And of course, my mom. She taught me everything I know about style and to this day, can still pick out items that I would never have thought of for myself. She bought me a linen blouse from a flower shop once and it’s still one of my go-to items in the summer.
What spring trends should people embrace? I always say that people should embrace colours and prints as much as possible in the spring. Trust me, I love my black and white wardrobe staples, but spring is a time to come out of that shell a bit.
