London-born stylist and art director Rebecca Dennett has been working in the fashion industry for more than ten years now, and she has collaborated with brands and publications that we’re all very familiar with, including Hermes, Estee Lauder, Christian Dior, Italian Vogue, US Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Allure, and The Violet Book.
Dennett is keenly aware that the fashion industry is always changing in some way, making room for new ideas and reflecting life in the current moment.
Throughout her career, Dennett has helped to highlight new concepts and bring fresh ideas to the table.
She wants to expand and advance the narratives being put forth by the fashion industry, and thus far, she’s been doing exactly that through numerous shoots, features, and even editorials in fashion publications.
Dennett is contributing to a future where fashion really is for everyone, offering variety to customers and highlighting stories from people of all backgrounds.
You can check out our interview with Dennett below, and we’ll also link to Dennett’s editorial piece for The Violet Book at the end of the article.
You’ve mentioned that you strive to push boundaries with styling. Can you elaborate on that?
Dennett: Style and the desired aesthetic are key to the image being created. Styling must fulfill the client’s brief and then some. It must be about defining a unique look every time and pushing the envelope.
Has your understanding of fashion history contributed to these efforts?
Dennett: Undoubtedly. Fashion history is so rich and fascinating. Reflecting on the past gives so much valuable insight. It fires my imagination and creativity and opens up possibilities.
Can you tell us how you accumulated so much knowledge and experience related to photography?
Dennett: After working in the fashion industry for 10+ years, I have developed a photographic eye and a knack for framing an image and I work closely with talented and renowned photographers. Stylists and photographers bounce ideas off each other creatively and learn from each other.
Do you think it’s possible for styling to tell entirely new narratives?
Dennett: Yes, for sure! Through imagination, creativity, and a lot of skill, the boundaries of styling can be limitless, very exciting, and innovative by really being aware of what is happening culturally, socially, and also reflecting on the past.
What kinds of narratives do you think are needed in contemporary fashion?
Dennett: I would like to have more narratives that include models and non-models who are plus-size, curvy, and also models and creatives from diverse racial backgrounds. It’s important that fashion reflects modern society and is constantly pushing narratives forward.
Do you generally find that high-end designers want to do something new and exciting with their work?
Dennett: It is essential to constantly keep your finger on the pulse, especially for high-end luxury design houses, through going to exhibitions, seeing trends on platforms like Tik Tok and Instagram, and even observing how young people are dressing on the street. They need to keep up with modern trends to keep relevant and improve sales.
Is it hard to keep things fresh after doing so much successful work in the industry?
Dennett: Fashion and the creative industry are constantly evolving, so you need to have your finger on the pulse at all times. It’s never a challenge to keep things fresh as my work is constantly evolving within the ever-changing fashion industry.
Can you give us an example of a project where you really tried to push boundaries?
Dennett: There are several! I love an editorial I did for The Violet Book as the casting was all ‘real people’ or curve models. It felt great to be working outside of the usual framework.
