With over 25 years fashion and styling experience, Angela is fast becoming the go to fashion expert for media comment, with regular appearances in print, online, and broadcast media.  And this week, at New Zealand Fashion Festival, Angela is teaming up with Mods Hair Paris in Ponsonby offering free presentations on how to become a fashion stylist, and will host workshops breaking down the hottest trends for winter 2011.

And it’s an exciting time for Angela for another reason - she is in the process of expanding her successful Christchurch and Auckland styling schools Styleyou, with a major focus on growth in Auckland initially.  Styleyou offers stylist training for budding stylists, or men and women who want to gain personal styling and presentation skills.

I sat down with Angela to chat about her career, her latest venture, and of course, fashion!

Tell us about your styling school, Style You.  What made you decide to expand and bring this to Auckland?  Do you have plans to expand beyond the New Zealand market?
Styleyou offers educational training courses to those who aspire to become stylists in the fashion industry or simply want to gain invaluable personal styling and presentation skills. Styleyou's innovative concept has been developed by International Stylist Angela Stone. Anyone wanting to work in the fashion industry needs to be able to tell her clients she has been trained by a professional stylist. Styleyou brings you fashion courses to create your professional career. I have been working on breaking into the Auckland for some time now...as Auckland has so many people who are influenced by fashion and those that love it. Auckland has such a wide diverse range of people who travel and who love to be leaders in the fashion industry.

Can you tell our readers about your career thus far? 
At 14 years of age I became a successful model working with top retailers and fashion designers throughout New Zealand and was a recognised name and face for Ballantynes, Kimberleys, Glassons, Bendon, Adidas, Knights of NZ, Arthur Barnetts, LWR, Charade and many more companies. At 17 I was asked to join New Zealand's largest model agency "Maysie Bestall-Cohen" in Auckland and became a well known model tutor.

At 18 years of age I moved to Australia to pursue my modeling career. A model agency from Milan, Italy, signed me up for an opportunity of a lifetime. My international career spanned three years working on many fashion shows and assignments throughout Europe.  As my 21st was approaching I came home and opened my own model agency, Portfolio Model Agency Ltd which became the top model agency in Christchurch. As the director of the model agency I produced many events, modeling competitions and fashion shows throughout the South Island.

At 27 I sold Portfolio Model Agency Ltd to start my family. Once I sold the agency I started working as a fashion stylist under Angela Stone Consulting Ltd. The success of this business has grown rapidly in the last 10 years. In June 2010 I set up a styling school called StyleYou in Christchurch. In November 2010 StyleYou has opened in Auckland. At StyleYou I am training others to become stylists in the fashion industry.

I have been working as a stylist for 10 years now and love having the opportunity to work with people who want to look and feel better about themselves. It’s a journey to watch people transform themselves on the inside and outside.

You began your career as an international model, and have become a leading figure in the Christchurch fashion industry, and now the New Zealand fashion industry – what do you think has been the secret to your success?
My motivation.... It's so much fun, its challenging and most importantly I love what I do.

What do you think is the secret to great style?
Style comes from within. It’s about being happy and secure in your own skin. It is important to look at one’s self and grow one’s self from the inside. The more work one does internally the more style and grace shows through.

Who are your favorite New Zealand designers?
My favourite designers are Barbara Lee, Trelise Cooper, Gillian Melhop, Karen Walker. Colour and simplicity always looks amazing!!

You have been heavily involved in organising the Lindauer Best Dressed at Addington Races, Fashion in the Fields at Riccarton Races and NZ Cup and Show Week.  What do you love most about race day fashion?
I love the fact the people make such an effort....I love the colour and the elegance of Cup Day attire.

What are some style tips you can share with our readers?
Always dress to impress.
If you don’t love it don't buy it.
Wear more colour it shows confidence
Don’t be a slave to fashion - Create your own fashion Statement
Mix and match strips and spots
Go for classic time less pieces - you won’t be disappointed
Follow international trends for ideas
Look after yourself internally - that’s what shows on the outside
Your garments must fit you well - forget about the clothing size

Interview courtesy of Natalie Cosgrove and FashioNZ.co.nz

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