STYLING
“I’m a hopeless romantic. I buy things because I fall in love with them. I never buy anything just because it’s valuable. My husband used to say I took a piece of fabric and listened to the threads. It tells me a story. . .”
-Iris Apfel
How did you begin your journey as a stylist?
I have always been drawn into creative pursuits so styling happened rather naturally for me. My first music manager really disliked shopping but always loved any new piece of clothing i wore so my first foray into styling was as her personal shopper. From there my styling network began expanding into working with other artists and lay people all over the world. I genuinely love getting to work with such a wide array of people.
Where do you gather your inspiration?
I find inspiration everywhere and in everything...sometimes it’s the shape of a leaf i see when I’m out walking my dog, a piece of street art, or a chic older lady in a cafe... i love to people watch. I grew up exploring flea markets and galleries all over the world which for sure helped shape my taste. I’m always looking for what is special and unique around me. Sometimes i hear a piece of music and can close my eyes and see the whole look appearing in my mind. I love that. Life is the greatest inspiration if you learn to really look and listen.
You noted that your parents have impacted your creativity. How else have they lent a hand in developing your creative nature?
I learned how to walk in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York because the American Wing was carpeted so my Dad had time to look at the paintings...I’ve had art flooding into me my whole life in the form of sculpture, paintings and costumes. On top of my time spent within walls of museums, my parents extensively traveled all over the world, and made sure to include me every step of the way. Due to this, I have been extremely fortunate to be able to be inspired by so many cultures and incorporate that into my work. In addition to my travels, I spent an enormous amount of time cultivating my taste and love of various textures in a lingerie shop owned by my mother on the Upper East Side that counted many powerful and influential women as clientele.
What drives you as a creative when styling clients?
Encouraging others is one of my life’s great joys. I try to look at each client as their own story and go from there. I remember how much peace and joy I found expressing myself with clothing growing up, and I want to give the same to my clients. I tailor make the “look” so they can be the most authentic powerful versions of themselves.
Testimonials
“Working with Gabriella is an absolute delight. She has a way of relating to absolutely everyone she meets and I think that translates with her style. We had so much fun shopping looks for the “Over That” video and even implemented some vintage ones (and if you know me, you know I love my vintage).”
“Gabriella’s a dream. The first time I worked with her was also the first time I met her, but it didn’t feel like it in the slightest. She skips the bullshit and dives right in. She was prepared, excited, warm, friendly and filled with an abundance of inspiration, and it made our shoot so comfortable and productive. She instantly sees the best in you, draws it out, celebrates it, and then pushes it even further by infusing her own unique taste in with it, resulting in something you both are beyond proud of.”
“What I love about Gabriella styling is how unafraid to go “outside the box” she is. The first time we worked together I was almost shocked at a few of the pieces she brought, but when I got them on and trusted her vision… I felt like a rock star; most importantly though, I felt like an individual. She definitely has an eye for unexplored style while appreciating classic fashion. Both her talent and passion are endless and I believe this is what makes her such a treat to collaborate with.”
“Gabi provides 360 degrees of expertise when she is working a photo/video set for artists. Being an accomplished artist and songwriter herself, her ability to identify an artist’s vibe by listening to the music alone is unmatched. Sometimes I feel like she knows my vibe better than I know myself. Her closet and jewelry collection are both insanely impressive and versatile, and as she has been collecting/making the items herself for years she knows them inside and out, so she can pull looks both accurately and quickly. Though her expertise is in styling she also has a fantastic eye and ability for hair and makeup (one look at her fabulous head and you will see why) and I have seen her pull together amazing hair and make up looks in a pinch. Her warm and bubbly personality marries well with any set, making the artist and everyone involved feel super comfortable. For me personally I also encourage her to provide direction because as a self aware woman and artist herself, she knows what we want and don’t want to see in the final results of the shoot. All in all, Gabi is a multifaceted gem of a woman, talent, and friend that is the perfect answer for styling needs and beyond.”
“Gabby is my queen. She brings an effervescence to her work that makes the outfits come to life. Her eclectic style and bold choice in wild colors combined with fabulous taste tell an insane story. It’s apparent that Gabby carefully curates an entire look through passion, love and attention to the client’s own personal style. I think that’s what makes it so special working with her. She makes the experience fun and gets you excited and feeling confident. I’m ready to werk it when I leave”