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FASHION
NAIL GRUNGE STYLE WITH JUSTIN HAMILTON
By Alice Doleman, 13 November 2023
Back again with your fave series AND stylist 🫶 That’s right, it’s Justin Hamilton in Stylist Spotlight episode 4!! To recap, he's styled some of the most fashionable in the biz: Jourdan Dunn, Halle Bailey, Munroe Bergdorf... so we’re v ready to absorb his pearls of wisdom 🧽 In the last ep (linked here) we spoke to Justin about how he got into styling. This time, we’re looking into our super-exciting grunge trend and really diving into his creative process. Watch out for his top tips for aspiring creatives, too ✍️
Hey again, Justin. Let’s start with a fun one, you’ve styled SO many fab people, but who is left on the dream client list?
Beyoncé. I love the work of Shiona Turini, who's done the Renaissance Tour. I think I’d enjoy having an impact on culture and fashion history like she’s had, especially with that Loewe costume. It's one of the best I’ve seen in the past 100 years. Perfection. Also, I love Zoe Kravitz 🫀
She’s 100% on our Pinterest boards ATM. She’s got that 'I-just-threw-this-on' energy down to a tee.
It’s great. I think she studies what works for her and doesn’t step out of that – and that takes time and confidence to figure out. So, the lesson is: take some time, try lots of different things and you’ll also find what works for you.
Oh, for sure 🎀 Onto our trend, what comes to mind when we talk about grunge?
The obvious one is grunge icons. Nirvana, Kurt Cobain. For the style, I think it’s just things that you live in and it’s this idea of, not a rejection of fashion, but just dressing for you, your comfort and your community. A lot of subcultures buy into grunge as it’s heavily attached to music.
Beyoncé. I love the work of Shiona Turini, who's done the Renaissance Tour. I think I’d enjoy having an impact on culture and fashion history like she’s had, especially with that Loewe costume. It's one of the best I’ve seen in the past 100 years. Perfection. Also, I love Zoe Kravitz 🫀
She’s 100% on our Pinterest boards ATM. She’s got that 'I-just-threw-this-on' energy down to a tee.
It’s great. I think she studies what works for her and doesn’t step out of that – and that takes time and confidence to figure out. So, the lesson is: take some time, try lots of different things and you’ll also find what works for you.
Oh, for sure 🎀 Onto our trend, what comes to mind when we talk about grunge?
The obvious one is grunge icons. Nirvana, Kurt Cobain. For the style, I think it’s just things that you live in and it’s this idea of, not a rejection of fashion, but just dressing for you, your comfort and your community. A lot of subcultures buy into grunge as it’s heavily attached to music.
Love that 🖤 What pieces from today (and this edit) do you think capture the grunge look?
I was very drawn to all the knits. I love the idea of a knit top paired with slouchy denim [ed note: just like Justin’s ‘fit!]. I love how you can make knits feel distressed and lived-in. I manufacture this look a lot. I cut up most of my clothes (like I've done here) and I have safety pins in loads of my clothes, which feels a bit punk, but also grunge.
Ohhh, styling hack! Party season is also obvs coming up, what would you looove to see people wearing? 🎉
I really want to see more women in suits this party season. I just want to take menswear and flip it. Law [Roach] did this incredible look on Zendaya where she wore Sport Max [at the 2022 Oscar’s After Party], which was this impeccably detailed suit, and I'd love to see more of that.
We were eating that look up!🍴What’s coming up for you, work-wise, for the rest of this year?
I’m so excited, hmmm, what can I tell you. Music’s always been such a huge inspiration for me so, I’m so excited to be working with Leanne Pinnock and the Sugababes on their next projects. Not together! But imagine! [He laughs]. I’m also starting prep for Jourdan Dunn for the British Fashion Awards. We’re working on something very special... 👀
I was very drawn to all the knits. I love the idea of a knit top paired with slouchy denim [ed note: just like Justin’s ‘fit!]. I love how you can make knits feel distressed and lived-in. I manufacture this look a lot. I cut up most of my clothes (like I've done here) and I have safety pins in loads of my clothes, which feels a bit punk, but also grunge.
Ohhh, styling hack! Party season is also obvs coming up, what would you looove to see people wearing? 🎉
I really want to see more women in suits this party season. I just want to take menswear and flip it. Law [Roach] did this incredible look on Zendaya where she wore Sport Max [at the 2022 Oscar’s After Party], which was this impeccably detailed suit, and I'd love to see more of that.
We were eating that look up!🍴What’s coming up for you, work-wise, for the rest of this year?
I’m so excited, hmmm, what can I tell you. Music’s always been such a huge inspiration for me so, I’m so excited to be working with Leanne Pinnock and the Sugababes on their next projects. Not together! But imagine! [He laughs]. I’m also starting prep for Jourdan Dunn for the British Fashion Awards. We’re working on something very special... 👀
Picture:
We’ll be stuck to IG on the day so we can see it! Can you describe your creative process for us when you’re working with celeb clients?
I try to find characters, whether that’s someone from a film, a friend, a witch, or anything else. Do they want to feel sexy? Do they want to feel masculine? Do they want to feel powerful or strong? You find out these things and work from there.
That's such an interesting way of working ✍️ Last question, do you have any advice for young Black creatives who want to follow in your footsteps?
Any creative that you love, just message them. People like to hear that their work speaks to you or inspires you. So, find people you admire who are doing what you wanna do and then email them - or DM them - asking if they need an assistant or something. People are more willing to help than you think and the worst they can say is no. Most of my assistants are people who just reached out.
There’s more on the grunge trend in episode 4, watch it below 📺
I try to find characters, whether that’s someone from a film, a friend, a witch, or anything else. Do they want to feel sexy? Do they want to feel masculine? Do they want to feel powerful or strong? You find out these things and work from there.
That's such an interesting way of working ✍️ Last question, do you have any advice for young Black creatives who want to follow in your footsteps?
Any creative that you love, just message them. People like to hear that their work speaks to you or inspires you. So, find people you admire who are doing what you wanna do and then email them - or DM them - asking if they need an assistant or something. People are more willing to help than you think and the worst they can say is no. Most of my assistants are people who just reached out.
There’s more on the grunge trend in episode 4, watch it below 📺
