MEET THE STYLIST: AMANDA RENO
A Conversation with Celebrity & Editorial Stylist Amanda Reno
Amanda Reno began her love for fashion on the east coast in New York City. At the ripe young age of 18 she landed an internship at a company every girl in this industry would dream of…..Vogue! A few years later she moved on to being an assistant to Kim Meehan at Vanity Fair which is where she stayed for 7 years growing, learning and building her name in the fashion industry. Working at Vanity Fair is what inspired her to become a stylist and move to Los Angeles. Amanda currently styles: Sophia Bush, Jenna Ushkowitz and Carmen Electra.
1) Tell us the story behind your favorite wardrobe item
Amanda: My favorite wardrobe item is definitely my Black Helmet Lang Blazer because I spend so much time dressing other people, running around town and picking up clothes I need a polished look that can take me from 8am to late in the night. I feel put together without having to put too much effort in the morning, my attention goes to my clients and girls. I just throw it on with a pair of jeans and I am ready to go, simple and clean it’s just so easy. Every season I always buy this item, it has a little tweak each time!
2) What's your most memorable 'panic moment'?
Amanda: I was styling a client for a big and important award show and her heel broke as she was about to walk down the red carpet!
3) How did you recover from it gracefully?
Amanda: Luckily I had all the extra shoes in her hotel room, I walked over to the carpet with a new pair and thankfully it all worked out! You never know when the call could happen of something going wrong and it is so important to be prepared for anything that could be thrown at you.
4) What is your favorite era for fashion?
Amanda: My favorite era would be late 60s early 70s when people had more individuality with their style, now people look very similar by following all the trends. They had amazing trendsetters back then that we still use today and have been inspired by such as James Birkin and its 40 been years later.
5) What was your big break?
Amanda: My big break was assisting an editor at Vanity Fair in New York. My first assignment was to bring Harry Winston diamonds to Oprah’s house for a shoot. I was just 20 years old, assisting alone, and the things I saw working there gave me the opportunities and professionalism I have to this day. The teams were amazing, the experience was unbelievable but also a lot of hard work. I knew I had arrived and this is what I wanted to do and in this capacity all the time. I continue to always look back at those memories and if it weren’t for Kim (Meehan) I would never have a career in this field.
6) Whose closet would you most like to raid?
Amanda: Carolina Herrera or her mom, I love that lifestyle and love those girls, and feel I could actually wear the clothes.
7) Who are your favorite designers?
Amanda: I love Chris Benz, Carolina Herrera, Stella McCartney, Isabel Marant, and Manolo Blahnik
You can follow Amanda on Twitter @summerbunny