Singer Cherise & Her Stylist Patrischa Talk Creative Vision, Moodboards & More
In Association with the Lang Lang Foundation, Soul Artist Cherise took to the stage of the Charlotte Street Hotel in conversation with celebrity stylist, Patrischa Humm to talk about their partnership when it comes to creating a strong visual aesthetic.
For a special edition of Vogue Education Presents, the Condé Nast College students made their way to the Charlotte Street Hotel Screening Room to learn more about the relationship between a celebrity stylist and their client – in this case – rising star Cherise. Cherise’s talent has been recognised by some of the most respected artists in Soul and Jazz. In 2021, Gregory Porter invited her to sing with him, and in 2020 she was chosen to open for Michael Kiwanuka in Paris and to join Jamie Cullum on his European tour.
Working with a Stylist
Cherise has been making waves on the soul scene with her debut album, ‘Calling’. Having always had strong ideas when it comes to her creative vision and visual aesthetic it is important for Cherise to have a stylist who understands that vision and the importance of her aesthetic.
Patrischa Humm grew up in Zurich, Switzerland and moved to Paris, France where she balanced her first year at Istituto Marangoni with an internship at Elie Saab. She graduated with a Styling and Art Direction BA and went on to assist renowned stylist Mary Fellowes for over a year.
Now, Patrischa works at Adele Cany Studios with top photographers, commercial clients, celebrities and brands.
Over the past 5 years, Patrischa has acquired her own clients, focusing on music, celebrity and editorial styling, personal shopping and brand consulting.
During the talk, Cherise and Patrischa spoke about the processes involved when creating a single cover, or video and how this links to the overall mood of the song that Cherise wants to put out there.
Cherise placed heavy emphasis on having the right team that aren’t alienated by her being direct about what she wants to achieve. Patrischa underlines Cherise’s direct nature being an asset to saving time as the artist knows what she wants, making for smoother sailing when it comes to building an aesthetic and overall creative vision for a project.
“Be organic and don’t be ashamed of your ambition. Find your people and build organic connections with them.” Cherise
Cherise and Patrischa spoke about their process when it comes to creating looks for music videos such as the one below. Iterating the process of gathering the clothes, trying out the looks and working on their moodboard for the vibe they want to create.
Cherise also noted the key differences in challenges faced when you are an independent artist and noting that she and Patrischa work hard to ensure they have assets that may suit different press opportunities. She also spoke about being lent and gifted clothes for instagram posts and how this helped her to fund finishing her album. Being able to monetise her instagram through some sponsored posts is helping her to remain an independent artist where she has full control over her career. She notes that some up and coming brands, as well as more established brands such as Puma have supported her and helped her grow her social media following. Cherise also notes that its helpful to work with brands such as Doctor Martens and Converse who support musical talent.
“You want to be relatable, but also elevated enough to inspire your fan base. You need to keep your core identity. You don’t want to lose yourself.” Patrischa Humm on creating looks for her clients.
Patrischa Humm’s Stylist Tips:
- Always try to make time for fittings before a shoot or show and always bring options to a shoot.
- Doing fittings before a shoot, helps inspire confidence in your skills as a stylist.
- Be resourceful when it comes to borrowing clothes and ensure you make a note of the brands social media handles so they can be tagged.
- You can be yourself in many different versions – but you need to be recognisable to your fans.
- Assist more established stylists to learn the ropes and make contacts.
- Do your own shoots to build your portfolio and reach out to photographers on instagram.
- Be easy to work with as this will help you to build contacts and get future work.
- Everyone needs a portfolio – so write a brief for your shoot and write to modelling agencies to help models get test shots as this also builds into their portfolios.
Key Takeaways from Patrischa & Cherise’s Vogue Education Presents Talk
- Tag your brands to ensure brands keep coming back to you, and if they like your content they will continue to support you.
- Ensure you have a variety of visual assets created so that you can take press opportunities when they arise.
- Work with brands that resonate with your values and ambitions.
- You can find great emerging fashion brands on instagram that also want to support emerging artists and this can be a good synergy.
Patrischa Humm’s Stylist Tips:
- Always try to make time for fittings before a shoot or show and always bring options to a shoot.
- Doing fittings before a shoot, helps inspire confidence in your skills as a stylist.
- Be resourceful when it comes to borrowing clothes and ensure you make a note of the brands social media handles so they can be tagged.
- You can be yourself in many different versions – but you need to be recognisable to your fans.
- Assist more established stylists to learn the ropes and make contacts.
- Do your own shoots to build your portfolio and reach out to photographers on instagram.
- Be easy to work with as this will help you to build contacts and get future work.
- Everyone needs a portfolio – so write a brief for your shoot and write to modelling agencies to help models get test shots as this also builds into their portfolios.
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