The look of the fashion stylist

Professionalizing fashion coordination: an interview with expert Marco Corral.

Editor, fashion producer, columnist, consultant, personal shopper and of course, fashion stylist. Marco Corral is one of the most experienced fashion coordinators in Mexico, and has worked with national and international figures. The expert answered our questions:

How do you describe the professional goal of a fashion stylist?

“Our role in a fashion production is to select the wardrobe, accessories, footwear and everything related to the image of the person we are to dress; models, celebrities or a fashion production. Our work has to do with concepts, global ideas of what we want to convey, considering the locations and backgrounds; it is about selecting the elements to communicate something powerful.”

You began your career in 1989. Since then, how has the role of a fashion stylist evolved within the fashion industry?

“We already exist, because it wasn’t like that before. The figure of the fashion stylist didn’t exist in Mexico. Here the photographer was in charge of the team or we all did everything. Over time, our role has become more defined, so much so that now there are more and more international fashion authorities who stand out for their work and we see what their most recent work is on the red carpets. Over time we have become more relevant and those who do their job best are the professionals and the careful ones, those who are always standing out.”

Any examples in Mexico?

“It has changed a lot, because when we started there were not so many designers or brands, now it has become more professional and international brands have their showrooms where there are clothes exclusively for fashion productions and the designers also have part of their collections so that we (the fashion coordinators) can use them in productions. We are already recognized as having an important and decisive job in this environment.”

In your own experience, what are the current challenges that creatives like you face within the fashion sector?

“For me, every job is a challenge. One day I can be doing Salma Hayek for Hola magazine and the next day a catalogue where the character is a housewife. One story is more glamorous than the other, but both have their own challenge; the languages ​​change and the fashion stylist has to put his talent in function of what the specific project is looking for.”

You have a solid experience in the publishing and advertising fields, and of course in high-level productions. What has been one of your most memorable achievements?

“The opportunity to work with international names like Eva Longoria, Joe Jonas, Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna or Salma, are jobs that I enjoyed and that were a great challenge for me because there are countless people who are waiting for the best in all aspects (…) but looking back, the job that has caused the most controversy and visibility is when I dressed Yalitza Aparicio a week before the Oscars as the cover of Hola magazine in the famous red dress; there were people who applauded me or attacked me, there was a lot of talk, the networks went down and I was surprised. But I have fond memories. The session was very fluid, Yalitza had a very kind and open character, I really liked her because she respected the team.”

What do you enjoy most about working as a fashion stylist?

“Photo shoots or editorials, where we tell a story through images, require a lot of preparation. I get involved in the location and when I have it clear, I like to look for clothes that fit the narrative. I also enjoy fashion shows because they require a lot of preparation with casting, clothes and rehearsals, I definitely enjoy them”:

For those who want to become professionals in this field, what would be your main advice?

“The important thing, I always say, is to get your hands dirty. To be in all possible positions to understand the work, because it is creativity and knowledge, but 80% of our work is planning and solving in the moment.

I think that the film The Devil Wears Prada did a lot of damage, everyone wants to be Miranda Priestly to give orders and nobody wants to be Emily (laughs). In reality you have to go up, down, do a thousand and one things. Not even in fashion, film or architecture, you have to work, be patient and be constant.”

From your own professional perspective, do you think that the Mexican fashion industry is on the right track or would you like to see some change?

“It is going in the right direction. It is surprising how it has become more professional in the last 10 years; some designers have better quality, selection of materials and proposal. There are people who take the design side seriously. The problem is consistency. I keep seeing designers focus a lot on the catwalk, but sometimes there is no production chain (…) but despite this there is great progress.”

Relive his conference at IM Talks

Marco was present at the 79th edition of Intermoda with the talk “The power of styling”. Relive it on Youtube here.