ANITA PATRICKSON

A Conversation with Anita Patrickson: Celebrity Fashion Stylist

Anita Patrickson is an established freelance stylist in Los Angeles. Originally raised in South Africa and educated in London, she has travelled extensively gaining experience across a multitude of cultures and lifestyles, which has aided her eclectic and individual fashion aesthetic. Having had a natural ability for fashion and style, she planted her roots in Los Angeles and began assisting some of Hollywood's top stylists. In 2006, Conde Nast secured her as the Assistant West Coast Editor for Allure magazine after seeing her work in the pages of Zinc magazine. She went on to help style celebrities covers such as Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Katherine Heigl to name a handful. Anita dresses a handful of loyal celebrity clients for red carpet events and also regularly styles the editorial pages of Elle, Instyle, Lucky, Redbook, Numero and more. To date, Anita has branched into television, film and commercials, working with brands and on successful campaigns such as Target, Agent Provocateur, Nike, BCBGeneration, AG Jeans and Rolex. Anita has appeared on America's Next Top Model and has hosted various design and style shows like 'Designer Spotlight' as well as representing big brands like Target in their 'Back to School' campaigns.

Tell us the story behind your favorite wardrobe item

Anita: My favorite wardrobe item is probably my chunky yellow gold and white gold, chain link, art deco bracelet. My grandfather bought it for my granny when I was born whilst they were vacationing in Bahrain. My granny gave it to me before she died.

What's your most memorable 'panic moment'?

Anita: Panic moments are plentiful! So plentiful in fact that I have had to stop panicking! One of my earliest ones would be years ago on one of my very first jobs that I did on my own. It was a TV show and I was doing the costume design. In the episode the airplane pilot in the script was an Indian gentleman and as part of his character and storyline he needed to be wearing a turban. In the madness and disorganization I had not checked to see the turban options my assistants had gotten. 5 mins before he was needed on set I saw they had bought a number of brightly colored costume party bejewelled options fit for a genie!

How did you recover from it gracefully?

Anita: I'm not sure the recovery was very graceful but in a frantic search for fabric i noticed the curtains were made of a thick off-white canvas and so i leapt onto a chair and cut off a whole strip down one entire side of the curtain, googled on you-tubed 'how to wrap a turban' and managed to send him out with something that seemed vaguely passable. I never heard anything about the curtain/turban but I did pour a very stiff gin and tonic for myself the minute I got home. (The show never got picked up...and that production company never rehired me...)

What is your favorite era for fashion?

Anita: I ADORE the 70's.... that fabulous carefree, bohemian vibe. Long necklaces, high waisted trousers, pantsuits, crochet and maxi skirts. I also love the 20's....It was an era of fashionably courageous women. When they pushed boundaries and started wearing trousers for the first time. A time of short hair and fantastic eveningwear adorned with feathers, beading and delicate lace.

What was your big break?

Anita: I would probably date my 'big break' back to when I left University having studied nothing to do with fashion and was forced to make some major decisions. I fortuitously found myself at Allure magazine as an assistant. I got so spoiled by the incredible talent of the people around me and was able to learn my discipline from the best of the best.

Whose closet would you most like to raid?

Anita: Urgh! That's like asking me my favorite movie or favorite food!! Too many to choose from!! I guess Coco Chanel would be up there, Francoise Hardy, Lauren Hutton, Peggy Guggenhiem (wouldn't that be a hoot!), Brigitte Bardot, Laura Bailey, Kate Moss.... Was I only allowed one?

Who are your favorite designers?

Anita: Oscar de la Renta, Vionnet, Chanel, Michael Kors, Valentino, Lanvin, Mulberry and Tom Ford.

Thanks Anita! To learn more about Anita please visit www.anitapatrickson.com. You can find her on twitter @anitapatrickson.