From Paris to the catwalks of Milan, French stylist Elena Mottola is making her mark – decimating outdated notions of excess while championing the value of simplicity and restraint. In her latest interview with Cultured Magazine, Mottola shares how taking things away can be just as effective, if not more, than adding them on.
1. An Interview with French Stylist Elena Mottola
For fashionistas around the globe, French style is the epitome of chic. It’s effortless yet sophisticated—elegance as if it came naturally. Elena Mottola is a French stylist who embodies this blend of artistry.
From the likes of Bon Appétit to Glamour, Elena works with iconic publications to provide editorial insight into the world of fashion styling. She likes to think outside of the box when creating something new and refreshing. We caught up with her to hear more about her styling path and what lies in the future.
- What inspired you to become a stylist?
- How would you describe your personal approach to styling?
“When I was in high school, I had always loved playing around with fashion,” Elena says. “But I didn’t want to just try new trends; I wanted something that speaks to a person. I felt that styling allows me to make an impact and to push people to look at clothes differently. So I decided to pursue it as a career.”
Elena believes that styling should be more of a conversation. “I like to let the pieces speak to me and see what kind of story they tell,” she says. “There’s always something new to learn and discover, which keeps things interesting. I think that’s why I love dimension and texture so much. It adds another level of depth to the outfit.”
2. Her Approach to Refining Wardrobes
As a wardrobe consultant and professional stylist, she approaches wardrobe refinement with the goal of maximizing a client’s personal style. Working with each individual’s individual feature, she looks at current styles and pieces in proximity of a standard color palette. She also finds ways to introduce an element of surprise — a bold pattern or a vibrant color — to give the wardrobe an edge.
- She helps the client choose timeless pieces that can be styled in a variety of ways for various occasions
- She encourages clients to build their wardrobe by adding statement pieces as conversation starters
Rather than simply throwing out everything in the client’s existing wardrobe, she takes a thoughtful approach to finding the perfect mix of clothing. She plans for the wardrobe to last longer than just one season, meaning she works to find pieces that will stand the test of time.Her methodology always goes beyond simply finding the trendiest items — her ultimate goal is for each piece to reflect the client’s own unique sense of style.
3. The Art of Styling Without Adding
At times, the best style statement is achieved without adding even an ounce of new material. It is an understated approach, an art to be mastered with practice. With the right attitude and a bit of creativity, styling without adding is well within the reach of any creative soul.
- Elevate Existing Pieces: Start by looking at the items already present in the space. A subtle way to style without addition is by reassigning roles to current possessions. A brightly coloured scarf can be draped around the feet of a chair to add a cushion effect, or an old piece of furniture can be placed in a different corner to create a new focus point.
- Light it Up: Opting for elements of light is one of the best ways to elevate the design of an area with little to no addition involved. Placing a unique lamp at different points can help reflect different elements of the decor in different illumination and change the ambience of the room entirely.
Above all, styling without addition requires a boldness of imagination and a willingness to experiment and explore. Visualizing potential in existing items is the key to mastering this art and unlocking levels of aesthetic appeal yet unseen. With a bit of creative thought, even the most mundane of places can be transformed without any addition.
4. Why Taking Items Off Is Just as Important
Organization Is King
Life is a juggling act. We take on too many tasks thinking we can handle it, then quickly find we don’t have the time or energy to complete them. That’s why effective organization is so critical. As a balancing act, it’s just as important to take items off our to-do list as it is to add to it!
Beyond time management, organizing tasks also helps to prioritize. Knowing what is most important to finish first can help us improve our productivity and stress level. And by taking items off our list when they are done, we can free up resources––be that time, energy or emotional space––to focus on what’s next. Taking some of the pressure off helps to ensure that what is left is handled with more care and precision.
- Organizing tasks helps prioritize.
- Taking items off the list frees up resources.
- Reduces stress and increases productivity.
Having created clothes for over 15 years, French Stylist Elena Mottola is one of the most sought-after names in the fashion industry. Her unique view on styling – taking off as well as putting on – has been proven to be a successful approach for creating fashionable yet functional garments. Instead of following the same styling rules, Mottola encourages us to embrace our individual aesthetic and be brave to express it without fear. Take the leap and turn your wardrobe into a fashion statement – without having to remove too much.
