I had the great pleasure of meeting Linda Gaylard through our mutual friend Carolyn Rohaly.  Linda is a stylist and a great supporter of Canadian designers.  She has many well known Canadian clients who she styles for their television and red carpet appearances.  Linda is accomplished and well established in her career with many fabulous and creative friends, and she is also incredibly down to earth and friendly, and always curious about new designers and upstarts like me.

On the right is a picture of Linda with her client Emily Hampshire at fashion week in Toronto.

Whenever I have the chance to spend time with her I love hearing about her experiences in the fashion and entertainment industry, and talking shop about being an independent business woman.  She graciously answered a few questions for me about her career and her experiences.

How did you get your start as a stylist for television and red carpet events?

I had been working as a personal stylist for a number of years and was approached by a designer friend who knew of a TV project that was starting up. She got me in the front door and many jobs came as a result of that. I started red carpet dressing with the Gemini Awards in 2000 with the intention of improving the overall look of the on-air portion of the show and that has branched out as well to include other red carpet events.

You have been in the front row for many fashion shows here in Toronto – how have you seen the fashion scene in the city change over the course of your career?

The first shows I attended were very intimate, much like a ‘salon’. They were held in hotel meeting rooms and smaller venues at a point in the season when buyers were able to come, so the crowd was mostly buyers and media. Of course there was no digital, no new media and no entertainment media. A designer collection had staying power and was reported on for several months until the next season came along.

Now, there is more hype, buzz and theatrics with the presentation of fashion. The modeling agencies play a much bigger role. This is a big improvement. In the nineties we’d often see the same models show after show with just a few agencies on board.

Fashion school enrollment has exploded and students are more involved with various fashion weeks that take place around the city. Students have brought a freshness to events and that’s a good antidote to the jadedness and fatigue that sometimes afflicts those of us who’ve seen it all over the years.

The biggest change has taken place as the world has become more accessible largely due to the ability to record and broadcast instantly, so nothing seems to stay new for very long. While this has allowed for more freedom, flexibility and exposure for new designers, I feel that it’s been somewhat negative for the fashion industry from a business standpoint as its observers only stay focused on a collection for a brief period.

Can you describe the process of preparing a client for a red carpet appearance?

It’s usually very last minute because the client gets word that their schedule is clear for the event sometimes just days before. I research which gowns I want to use. Often the pieces I’m hoping for are out on a photo shoot or on the road with the sales agent. The way around that is to over-select from several designers so that I have enough choice. I set up a fitting with the client and we pick the piece. Sometimes last minute alterations need to be done. I select jewelry, shoes and bag once the gown/dress has been chosen. If the client is new to the process, we talk about posing, walking, etc. I make sure that they know the name of the designer. I cross my fingers that all goes well…

Where do you find inspiration?

I’m a big fan of vintage. I think that most of our inspiration comes from what charmed the world in the past. We style and design for the present but always there are elements of other eras in everything we look at, so I like to go to the source. I’m fortunate in that I organize a clothing sale out of Grace Church on the Hill, where the donations are from women who have had an active social calendar through some very interesting times. I love finding these gems and introducing others to them.

Can you describe the proudest moment of your career?

Being present at the Gemini Awards when Wendy Crewson won best dressed on the ET Canada red carpet.  She was wearing a beautiful black Scarlett O’Hara style gown by Pat McDonagh.

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