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FASHION
STYLIST SPOTLIGHT FT. JUSTIN HAMILTON
By Alice Doleman, 23 October 2023
Been gagging to get all the tips and trends from a fashion-industry insider?? You're in the right place 🫀 For episode 3 of our YT series, Stylist Spotlight, we’re talking to stylist Justin Hamilton (AKA @justinplz) about elevating denim – an A/W essential. We trust his judgement coz he’s styled some absolute ⭐️s like Halle Bailey, Shygirl, Jourdan Dunn & loads more. Read on to see how he broke into the industry and how he styled himself and our host, Charley, in full ASOS ‘fits! Full ep linked below 💋🎬
Hi, Justin! Before we get into the fashion in this ep, can you tell us how you found yourself in the world of styling?
It was a happy accident. I’d quit my A-levels and my sister put me forward to assist for the first time on set. She was styling Rose McGowan from Charmed, an icon I’d always loved, so I went to see what it was about. It was eye-opening seeing a shoot come to life. From there, I assisted and interned for about five years, wherever I could. Then it just snowballed. I got offered editorials, one after the other, until I got to where I am now.
🫶 Do you have a favourite type of project to work on?
An editorial or music video. I used to watch MTV ‘Behind the Videos’ when I was younger and I was so enthralled. I remember seeing a Britney one, and was like, "OMG this is epic" – TLC music videos, too. I remember thinking, "I want to do that".
Iconic, ofc 🎶 And do you remember the first fashion moment that you really took notice of?
It was from a Black film called Two Can Play That Game. Gabrielle Union has an entrance where she's playing... Wait, spoilers! Actually, it’s fine, it’s so old. But she's playing the sexy colleague to Vivica Fox’s boyfriend, and she has this entrance that floored me. She’s in a white skirt suit with a huge high pony and she’s walking in slow motion. Seeing a woman with that much confidence did something to me. I knew I was gay, so it wasn’t doing that [he laughs], but it was something about the fashion.
It was a happy accident. I’d quit my A-levels and my sister put me forward to assist for the first time on set. She was styling Rose McGowan from Charmed, an icon I’d always loved, so I went to see what it was about. It was eye-opening seeing a shoot come to life. From there, I assisted and interned for about five years, wherever I could. Then it just snowballed. I got offered editorials, one after the other, until I got to where I am now.
🫶 Do you have a favourite type of project to work on?
An editorial or music video. I used to watch MTV ‘Behind the Videos’ when I was younger and I was so enthralled. I remember seeing a Britney one, and was like, "OMG this is epic" – TLC music videos, too. I remember thinking, "I want to do that".
Iconic, ofc 🎶 And do you remember the first fashion moment that you really took notice of?
It was from a Black film called Two Can Play That Game. Gabrielle Union has an entrance where she's playing... Wait, spoilers! Actually, it’s fine, it’s so old. But she's playing the sexy colleague to Vivica Fox’s boyfriend, and she has this entrance that floored me. She’s in a white skirt suit with a huge high pony and she’s walking in slow motion. Seeing a woman with that much confidence did something to me. I knew I was gay, so it wasn’t doing that [he laughs], but it was something about the fashion.
Added to the watchlist! Could you tell us about any standout career moments so far?
Styling Halle Bailey for our Glamour cover. It was such an iconic time for her with one: being the first Black Disney princess in a live-action movie, and two: The Little Mermaid!?! Being somewhat involved in that was really cool 🧜♀️
Getting the call for something like that must be wild.
Yeah, it is. It's also quite nerve-wracking. Normally, I get optioned as a stylist, but you get optioned for so many jobs you don't end up getting, so you try not to get too excited. They may pick another stylist, or it might happen in another city. But for that one I was like, "Please, Jesus, if you're there...", and it happened.
Manifestation right there!! So, let’s talk our denim trend. How would you put your own spin on a classic denim look? How can we elevate?
I always wear denim with a loafer and LOADS of accessories. I’m living in my loafers right now, they're so beaten up.
Styling Halle Bailey for our Glamour cover. It was such an iconic time for her with one: being the first Black Disney princess in a live-action movie, and two: The Little Mermaid!?! Being somewhat involved in that was really cool 🧜♀️
Getting the call for something like that must be wild.
Yeah, it is. It's also quite nerve-wracking. Normally, I get optioned as a stylist, but you get optioned for so many jobs you don't end up getting, so you try not to get too excited. They may pick another stylist, or it might happen in another city. But for that one I was like, "Please, Jesus, if you're there...", and it happened.
Manifestation right there!! So, let’s talk our denim trend. How would you put your own spin on a classic denim look? How can we elevate?
I always wear denim with a loafer and LOADS of accessories. I’m living in my loafers right now, they're so beaten up.
Pictures: ASOS
But that lived-in look was all over the runways recently, so we love it. What ASOS denim picks are you LOVING right now?
There's a really cool fitted, cropped denim jacket. It's a great seasonal piece. You can wear it in summer in the evenings, or layer it with a huge scarf. That could be really cute. ASOS has a pretty wide range of denim, which is great. They pretty much have every fit and cut. I'm quite into a bootcut jean at the moment, too.
Yes to a bootcut! What other transitional essentials do you have on your list?
I want to get a reaaally long black wool coat. I want to pair it with some structured shorts, like we're seeing loads of cool celebrities styled in. Also, a leather trouser is perfect for sleet, snow, rain... and maybe some new loafers with a better sole. I definitely need a rubber-soled loafer for the new season [Ed note: bag the ones he's wearing above right here ✨].
Last question, we’re chatting during Black History Month in the UK and the theme is ‘Saluting Our Sisters’. With that in mind, are there any Black femme creatives you really wanna shout out?
My dear friend Drybabe (@drybabe) who runs this amazing platform called Prim (@prim.black), which is about supporting and amplifying queer Black voices via literature. It’s basically a queer book club. Drybabe does so many activations with Burberry and Aesop, and is just an inspiring person trying to make reading cool. It's also about interrogating ideas about the intersectionality of being Black and queer in London and around the world 🌹
Check the rest of Justin's ep below 🔌
There's a really cool fitted, cropped denim jacket. It's a great seasonal piece. You can wear it in summer in the evenings, or layer it with a huge scarf. That could be really cute. ASOS has a pretty wide range of denim, which is great. They pretty much have every fit and cut. I'm quite into a bootcut jean at the moment, too.
Yes to a bootcut! What other transitional essentials do you have on your list?
I want to get a reaaally long black wool coat. I want to pair it with some structured shorts, like we're seeing loads of cool celebrities styled in. Also, a leather trouser is perfect for sleet, snow, rain... and maybe some new loafers with a better sole. I definitely need a rubber-soled loafer for the new season [Ed note: bag the ones he's wearing above right here ✨].
Last question, we’re chatting during Black History Month in the UK and the theme is ‘Saluting Our Sisters’. With that in mind, are there any Black femme creatives you really wanna shout out?
My dear friend Drybabe (@drybabe) who runs this amazing platform called Prim (@prim.black), which is about supporting and amplifying queer Black voices via literature. It’s basically a queer book club. Drybabe does so many activations with Burberry and Aesop, and is just an inspiring person trying to make reading cool. It's also about interrogating ideas about the intersectionality of being Black and queer in London and around the world 🌹
Check the rest of Justin's ep below 🔌
