Celebrity stylist Katharine Polk exudes a certain type of effortlessly confident fashion know-how that stylishly stands out.   We caught up with this rising fashionista to find out more about her styling career, her fashion tips and her role as the spokesperson for Designers Against Aids.

How did you get into styling?
I have always loved fashion. When I was a little girl I used to sit in the wardrobe room on TV sets and watch the Wardrobe ladies all day.  Flashing forward to College, I went to fashion school and moved to NYC for a Design position at Badgley Mischka. I was fortunate enough to be able to explore different areas of Fashion and did a lot of Styling for Badgley Mischka as well. I have had my own business, styling editorials, Celebrities and Fashion Shows since 2009 and I love what I do!

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love what I do and I love that everyday is different. I get to work with new amazing and talented people every week. My job also allows me to travel and discover new places!

What inspires you to put together a particular look?
‘People watching’ in NYC is super inspiring. I get inspired by people’s personal style and the chances/risks they take. Looking to different cultures and eras also inspires me.

What does a typical day for Katharine Polk look like?
Each day is different and I’m not sure there is a “Typical” day. Whether it’s running to meetings with photographers and clients, bouncing between Showrooms, writing Style advice articles, or on set/location Shooting- I usually start the day with my must-have espresso!

How does Malibu compare with New York in terms of style?
Malibu is a beach town and you can basically wear your summer clothes year round and the easy going attitude of the small town comes through in the style.  NYC is much more eclectic…I would definitely say my style is a mix of both and am known for my bohemian looks that I mix with more of a layered NYC style.

What Spring/Summer looks are you a fan of?
I live in my Vintage printed Kaftans and summer dresses. I love shopping for Vintage looks and knowing they are one-of-a-kind. This spring and summer, I think I’ll be wearing more Rompers and one pieces.

Who are your favourite designers, and why?
Stella McCartney: She has mastered the clean and easy silhouette while also having a great simple design detail in the cut. Elbar for Lanvin is amazing and Sisters Kateand Laura Maullawy for Rodarte are incredible talents too.

Who are your fashion icons?
Patti Smith, Katharine Hepburn and Kate Moss

You’re also a spokesperson for the charity, Designers Against Aids.  How did you get involved with it?
I lost my God Father to the disease when I was 6. I have been involved with various AIDS Charities since, and wanted to really link myself with an organization that I could work closely with.  The relationship with DAA is great since it is a fashion based organization and I am able to call on my colleagues for support with help raising awareness.   The Fashion community has been dramatically affected by AIDS and HIV and I feel like other people in the industry are happy to help. DAA allows me to use my contacts in Fashion to try and help make a difference.

What advice would you give to aspiring stylists?
Fashion is a small world..Be nice to everyone because you will see them again soon!

What’s next for Katharine Polk?
I’m really excited about some opportunities that have come up recently. One- I cant talk about yet, but it will be incredible and huge and will give people an inside look at life as a stylist. As my business and brand grow, I definitely want to design again under my own label.  I have some great clients and we have some exciting projects coming up.

And finally what is your foolproof, ultimate styling tip?
Be Comfortable, Dress for your figure and don’t be afraid to express your personal style!

Photo Credits: Nico Malvadi

http://twitter.com/katharinepolk

http://katharinepolk.blogspot.com/

Ambitious, open-minded, and outgoing, blogger Georgiana is not one to shy away from matters concerning fashion.  In addition to running her own personal style blog Vintage Traffic, she is also the owner of the fashion blogging community, Vogueicon.  Koko Magazine caught up with the savvy fashionista to find out more about Vintage Traffic and her hot style tips for this summer.

Tell us a bit about yourself – where you’re based, what you do.

I am a 22 year old dreamer with Romanian roots, living in South France for almost one year. I will be licensed in Journalism and Communication studies this year and I will be taking up a challenge in Fashion Marketing and Management, next year in Paris.

Why did you start your blog?

I started my blog almost two years ago and after few articles with my opinions on different aspects of fashion industry, I decided that it’s the time for me to step up in another direction, which is personal style and things I experience through life. Therefore, I think the main reason why I started to write a blog was my need to express myself.   I felt I can write about things in my life that others will find interesting.   Writing, photography and music have always been something exciting, to which I am profoundly attached.  I like to reinvent myself, it’s the perfect opportunity to occupy my spirit.  Fashion and music are vital factors, without I just can’t live.

Where did the name come from?

I was living in Bucharest at the time and I have to say I didn’t rack my brain too much, I just wanted to start a fashion blog and while I was wandering the crowded streets it came out to me.

I associated my passion for vintage fashion with the idea of traffic: wherever you go you find yourself in traffic and it’s kind of ironic, but fashion is at any step, people are connected to it more than they think.

What trends are hot for summer?

I have to mention the nudes for this season and floral prints. I am personally a big fan of pastel colours – they bring a freshness to the idea of summer.

Light textures such as chiffon, silk, lace are always a good choice for the hot summer days.

Denim with some romantic maxi or short dresses, with Aztec prints are so much fun. You can wear them for almost any occasion and you won’t be something else, but very chic.

As for the accessories for this summer, I am absolutely in love with massive jewellery, such as cuffs in any shape, tribal inspired necklaces and so on.

I believe that accessories can change everything in an outfit, a pair of wood wedge platforms, as well as an oversized clutch will always make a statement, even if you wear them with basic items of clothing. It’s not all about the trends, it’s mostly about what makes you feel confident and beautiful.

Who is your fashion icon, and why?

I have so many fashion inspirations, from fashion bloggers all over the world, to IT girls and celebrities such as Sienna Miller, Kate Bosworth, Alexa Chung, Chloe Sevigny, Marion Cotillard, Olivia Palermo, Miroslava Duma, Jessica Alba, Rachel Zoe, who is also my top favourite stylist.

Of course the legendary fashion icon Audrey Hepburn and the timeless image of Coco Chanel, along with so many other women, who remain in history because of their beauty, have to be mentioned.

What’s your No.1 fashion tip?

Fashion is a language as a lot of people say, and style is a very important part of it, but what I find amazing about the freedom in choosing your style is a great attitude that marks your personality.

As a tip I would say that you have to be daring and confident.   Trendsetter or not, you still have to do your best and take care of your overall look.  That’s what a strong woman does.

A long lasting lipstick, a delicate blush and a good powder to refresh your make up, some mints and a cereals bar for boosting the energy:  these would be some tips I use each day.

Recently you took trips to Paris and Saint Tropez.  What have you seen that is common to French style, and what differences did you notice about the two locations style-wise?  Do you prefer the fashion scene of one of these locations over the other, and if so, why?

True, both of these experiences were great and I was very delighted to see such amazing places, I’ve been to Paris three times already and I can’t wait to move there next year.

As for Saint-Tropez it was the first time, but hopefully not the last one.

It’s not the first time though when I visited Cote d’Azur, absolutely divine for summer days, you have to go there at least once in a life time.

Everywhere I go I feel inspired and street style is one of the best things out there to be seen.

There are of course some slight differences between the way people dress in Paris in comparison with how people dress in Saint-Tropez, but the French style remains the same in one way –  always captivating.

Women are very chic and they have the notion of how looking stylish, in their blood. They will always wear a beautiful coat, a very natural make- up (black eye liner and some blush cheeks), always great bags and shoes and why not some bohemian pearls, beautifully matching a well cut dress.

In Saint-Tropez I saw some ladies in their 50s that literally took my breath away, the same way as some young women in their 30s did that to me, when I was in Paris.

All in all, I think it’s a matter of personal style and not necessary where you’re living, but it’s very true that on the wonderful streets of Paris you will always find some people with great sense of fashion.

I guess deep down I was always a romantic, but rough at the same time and the way I dress reflects very well my way of being so I would say that I fit the Parisian style.

I see myself wearing a trench coat with a dress and very high heels, as well as a pair of blue classical jeans, a jumper and a pair of flats.

How important is confidence in fashion?

As I said before confidence is an essential part, not only in fashion, but whatever you choose to do.

I think what is happening in today’s fashion world is overwhelming, so many talented and creative people that is really hard to enter and be successful.

It is a really hard field and before you decide to open your heart towards it, you have to think twice if it’s really the right thing for you.

If it is, then you should do it and you should try your best to succeed and make something that you really like.  There are a lot of successful designers, stylists, editors, photographers, so why not be part of the list?  When I decided to take my chance in fashion I was really determined and I knew it is for me.

What current item of clothing or accessory are you loving at the moment?

I would definitely say dresses, in any shapes, prints, colours or textures.  I just love wearing them in any season and at the moment I enjoy wearing them with short jackets or blazers and wedge shoes.

http://vintagetraffic.blogspot.com/

http://www.vogueicon.com/

On the shoot, fashion photographer Fabian Parkes says: “There were two ideas behind Escape, the first being quite simply, that she was in a hospital and wanted to physically escape. The other was the idea of escaping the 9-5, the ‘Credit Crunch’ and other day-to-day problems and feel free if only for a moment.”

Black coat by Afshin Feiz, Head piece by Justin Smith Esquire, Leggings stylist's own, Shoes by TopShop

Dress by Afshin Feiz, Necklace by Kapow Wow Opjects, Stockings and shoes by TopShop

Sky-print corset and long skirt by Couture Clubbing

Black silk shirt jacket and white collar by Simon Ekrelius, Belt and stokings stylist's own

Rubber vest and chain collar stylist's own

PHOTOGRAPHER: Fabian Parkes www.fabianparkes.com

STYLIST: Kumiko Yashiro

HAIR: Takuya Sugawara

MAKE-UP: Kaori Hayashi

PHOTOGRAPHER ASSISTANT: Yoshimi

MODEL: Dasha from Storm