A Conversation with Laury Smith: Fashion Stylist & Costumer
Laury Smith is the Official Stylist for X Factor UK and is the West Coast Fashion Director at Flaunt Magazine, freelance fashion stylist and costumer, working across Los Angeles, New York and Europe, who has built up a very credible reputation in the industry over the last 15 years.
Laury Smith graduated with a BA Hons in Fashion Journalism from the London College of Fashion before starting her career in PR working with brands from Mulberry and Versace to the New Generation Designers. Laury was the co-founder of the underground magazine, ‘X’ , which was distributed by Time Out London and received rave reviews. ‘X’ was quirky, fresh and innovative.
Her next move was into commercial publishing as Fashion Editor of the biggest selling men’s magazine FHM before becoming Fashion Director of the biggest selling mens bi-annual FHM Collections.
She regularly works on US-advertising campaigns for Guess, Neiman Marcus and Levi’s, and worldwide commercials for companies such as Coca Cola, Target and Caress. She worked as a costumer on many music videos and tours working with artists including Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Ke$ha, Panic at the Disco and Usher.
Tell us the story behind your favorite wardrobe item
Laury: My favorite wardrobe piece is my Yves Saint Laurent Tuxedo Jacket with structured shoulders. It is classic but still has an edge with the big shoulders, it is definitely timeless. I basically wear it to death and definitely have got my money’s worth. I wear it with the tuxedo pants that go with it or I mix it with the rest of my wardrobe, which is easy since 99% of it is black! I have had it for years now, so it also reminds me of different times in my life or shall I say rather amusing nights out!
What’s your most memorable ‘panic moment’?
Laury: My most memorable panic moment has to be the finale of the X Factor UK, the show was held at Wembley Arena which holds 10000 plus people! I was styling the final 3 acts but each of them had 4 performances and each of those performances had 30 dancers and I was to style ALL of them. The quick changes were CRAZY to say the least. I think 5 minutes was the shortest change time we had, which included the contestant getting into the changing room. Me being me, all outfits and costumes were full on extravagent and nothing was simple….so I was in a quiet panic mode during the whole show, just hoping it all went swimmingly. Then for one of the acts, one of the dancer’s flags went missing and it was handed to him literally a second before we went live. Everyone was screaming and my heart stopped. Thankfully it was a success, but I was a bag of nerves!
What is your favorite era for fashion?
Laury: My favorite era was the 80′s undoubtedly, probably as I was just starting to experience fashion and was reaching my teens and becoming much more experimental and ‘out there’. The rave and dance culture became a huge influence on my life at that time and musical icons such as Debbie Harry and Madonna. Anything went… and was acceptable. I loved the structures and shapes of the 80′s. I’m also idealistic of the Swinging 20′s…and would have loved to have experienced the fashions first hand, as I’m in awe of the style of that decade.
Whose closet would you most like to raid?
Laury: I would absolutely love to raid Daphne Guinness’s wardrobe. Apart from idealizing her, I am the biggest fan of Lee McQueen and I do believe Daphne has alot of his equisite pieces in her wardrobe. She radiates sheer class and style. Basically, I love her!
Who are your favorite designers?
Laury: Ann Demeulemeester, Alexander Wang, Alexander McQueen, Martin Margiela, Balenciaga, Rick Owens and my favorite smaller British designers and Marcus Constable.
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