CREATIVE CONVERSATION WITH STYLIST: JEN ELETO
Jen Eleto is a fashion stylist and creative consultant, back in 2010 she’s coined herself a young “Black Pat Butcher”, loving a big, bold statement piece. Her personal style is vibrant and adventurous, I don’t believe there’s a colour in the rainbow that she has not worn. A style that is defined by prints and combinations that to the average eye would appear as complicated, yet when Miss Eleto styles it, you can rest assured it will be a show- stopper! Her career thus far, has been as fearless as her outfit choices, begining in Fashion PR, it was here that she got the knack for co-ordinating events, championing young designers and working with talent. On the sidelines, she was working away on her personal brand, as she documented her style journey covering trends, fashion weeks and press events on her self-titled blog.
Over the last 8 years she was at Pause Magazine as the senior Fashion and Culture Editor, it was in this role that her talent styling, developed and she became to go-to stylist for musicians, making a strong impact within the Afro-Beats scene. Her personal client list is impressive, having worked with Maleek Berry, Abra, Mist and Dj Spinall to name a few. Although her outfits are bold, she’s humble and always looking to help those wannabe fashion creatives break into the industry, whether she’s taking you to the best parties (if you’ve yet to see her at a party - your not at the right ones) or training up the next best stylist, she will always take the time to work with fashions future.
In our chat, we discuss the misperceptions of being a stylist, what she’s got coming up next and her career thus far.
Interview by SOPHIE EMMETT
Hi Jen, how are you today?
Doing good - realised LFW is upon soon! So ticket requesting begins AND prepping for some upcoming shoots.
So tell me how did you get into the world of fashion and styling?
Always wanted to work/be in Fashion - from about year 8/9 in secondary school, so been doing the needful since then.
Having worked in lots of aspects of styling from editorial to music videos, what medium to love to style in the most?
Appearances I would say - when the talent is either attending an event, performing etc.. because you see the clothes in motion, you see other people's reaction to the look in real time.
What’s the biggest challenge you would say you’ve had thus far in your career?
When Rona said WORLD STOP! That was NOT a fun time!
What about a career-changing moment?
A prominent moment in my career was, working with Maleek Berry, from that point on, I went on to work with other Afro beat’s artists.
Would you say that you’ve got a moment in which you will feel like you’ve made it?
Each win and accomplishment big or small I'd say is a 'You made it moment'.
Creative team
Photographer: JOHNNY COOKE
Art Director: KOJO HAMMOND
Produced & Interviewed by: SOPHIE EMMETT
Location: ONE HUNDRED SHOREDITCH