We were lucky enough to work with Adelaide’s number one fashion insider, Mirella Romano on a Spring photo shoot in Wairoa Garden where Mirella mixed and matched unique pieces from King William Road’s fashion boutiques to create some incredible must have looks for your Spring/Summer wardrobe.
She has also revealed her top trends, tips and must-haves of the season and gave us a sneak peak into the crazy life of a full time mum and fashion stylist.
What are the key trends for the upcoming spring/summer season?
The trends coming through this spring/summer season are undoubtedly upbeat. Consumers can expect to see loads of cool trends and colours in stores – from interpretations of the 80’s, think shimmer and shine, shoulder details and big frills to the loudest colour palette we have seen for while including bold primary colours, bright fuchsia and purples.
What prints, colours and shapes can we expect to see this season?
The ever popular summer prints of stripes and floral are back but this time with with more punch and more vibrancy. If your fashion approach is “less is more” then there is also plenty for you to love with minimalistic shapes, subtle details and a range of utilitarian colours that go with everything you already own.
What I love most about this upcoming season is no matter the trend, colour or shape; it’s all about mixing and matching. There something fun about the new wave of eclecticism and wearing statement pieces with everyday easy to wear essentials.
What are your top five must-have pieces this spring/summer?
This season is all about looking effortlessly cool. A great fitting dress that takes you from the beach to the bar is vital, teamed with a great statement bag, clean white sneakers or nude slides, sunglasses that compliment your face shape plus a fresh white blouse to work back with everything will get you through the season looking and feeling a million dollars.
What are your three top tips for putting the finishing touches on your outfit?
While the perfect outfit doesn’t follow an exact formula, I believe it’s all about balance and keeping it simple and chic. Make sure your garments fit well and you feel comfortable in it. Nothing is more attractive than a confident woman.
Accessories are key to really pull an outfit together and personify your fashion sense. A right choice of accessories like a fabulous earring, belt or shoe can help you create a polished look.
How did you get into fashion styling?
For me, becoming a stylist has been a natural progression, an evolution as such. I learned to love and appreciate fashion from a very young age from my mother and I started working in retail at the age of 14.
I continued working throughout school and university and even worked at Wild Child on King William Road for a few years. Carol Ford taught me invaluable lessons in styling, merchandising and buying which made me even more passionate.
Fast forward a few years to 1999 and my girlfriend Sally became a member of the band Bardot as part of the reality show, Popstars. She is the one that opened my world to styling. She gave me her manager’s number and I basically pestered him to give me a go in styling the band. To be honest, I didn’t even really know what a stylist did or what was expected but I knew I could dress women of all shapes and sizes and make them look and feel great! I did a trial and won them over and stayed and worked with the band for over a year.
This lead me to secure the role as Fashion Editor for Cosmopolitan Magazine, which was unbelievable. I experienced some pretty incredible things and got to work on amazing photo shoots whilst working in an environment that I could’ve only dreamed of. When I moved back to Adelaide I was approached to be the Fashion Editor of the Sunday Mail.
What would be your key advice for those looking to get into fashion styling?
Hard work, commitment and determination. When looking back on my career, I became a stylist with a little luck but mostly I dreamed big, seized opportunities, listened and learned, challenged myself professionally and creatively and worked damn hard!
What does a week look like for you?
CRAZY! Besides being a mum to two beautiful boys, I also produce a double page fashion spread for the Sunday Mail each week. On Mondays I arrange models, location and hair and make-up. I also pull together a mood board to send to everyone working on the team so the shoot can come together perfectly.
Tuesday I gather and source clothing, style and type up prices, not to mention throw in a few meetings to the mix! Wednesday is shoot day. Once the photo shoot is complete, we spend another hour or two editing all the images.
Thursday all clothing needs to be returned to the stores or interstate and Friday I produce the copy for the feature, prepare for the next week and take my son to the park to play.
Thirty seconds with Mirella…
What is the one thing you never leave the house without?
My phone and lipstick
On the weekend, we will find you wearing..?
A pair of sneakers
Your favourite coffee stop along King William Road
I always love the coffee at Parisi’s not to mention the food!
