Styled By Gh: All about her love for curation

This issue's Studio H Series sit-down is one you won't want to skip. We caught up with Ghadna — you probably know her as @styledbygh, the stylist behind some of the chicest, most effortless looks we've seen. Her whole philosophy? Skip the constant shopping and fall back in love with what's already hanging in your closet. She's sharing her favorite color pairings, the pieces she can't live without, and the story behind the vintage jacket that changed the way she shops for good. Keep reading, you might just look at your own wardrobe a little differently after this.

Who is your fashion icon?

Camille Rowe, I’ve always admired how she shops with intention and how all her pieces feel and look like they belong in her closet.

Photo credit: Vouge

What are 5 pieces you always come back to in your wardrobe? the ones that feel most like you or are your closet staples.

A white poplin button up, white or darker denim jeans, a fun belt and bag, and always colorful accessories

Is there a piece in your closet that holds a strong memory? Tell us about it.

My favorite piece in my closet is my green military leather jacket I bought in Notting Hill with my best friend. I actually love it because we got matching jackets, but it changed the way I shop. Instead of going to stores, it made me enjoy searching through flea markets and vintage shops to find pieces that actually feel like me.

How would you describe your personal style in three words?

Curated, chic, and fun

What's the best styling advice you’ve ever heard?

Deciding whether you prefer cool/warm colors on you then building your entire wardrobe based on it. (From formal wear all the way down to jewelry)

Who is your favourite fashion influencer and why? 

@HadleyGreene, she has a unique way of dressing. It's always fun and cool, but still chic and tailored.

Photo Credit: The Zoe Report

If you could raid one celebrity's closet, who would it be and why? 

Maya Chantout has an insane collection of glamorous pieces. They're so colorful and well picked, I'd love to try everythinggg on!

What’s your favourite shoe? 

Tabi loafers 

What’s your favourite color combos to style? 

Military green with either baby blue or yellow 

What’s your go-to outfit for a casual day out? 

It always starts with a white top and then I work around it based on the weather, so I'd probably do fun jeans with ballet flats, then I'll add cool necklaces and glasses.

What's your favorite piece in your wardrobe right now? 

I got this new blouse that’s beaded around the collar. It's perfect!

What’s the most treasured item in your closet?

My watch

What fashion trend are you loving right now?

The big glasses everyone is wearing, the ray-ban aviators, color teal, and woven baskets 

What’s a trend you think should make a comeback?

Denim overalls 

What's a trend you're happy to see go?

Bows on everything 

What’s your favourite way to accessorize an outfit?

Chunky jewelry, sunglasses, and a vintage/fun bag. 

What’s a fashion rule you love to break?

Mixing fancy pieces with lounge wear, and causal pieces with formal wear 

What’s your favourite season for fashion and why?

 I love fall because it's the perfect weather to blend your summer and winter wardrobe together. You can easily play around with textures, colors and layers. 

 What’s your favourite way to style a basic white tee?

I love a cool jacket with rolled up sleeves and a colorful sweater around the waist, or a custom rolled up bandana for the summer around the neck paired with simple white linen pants, and aviators.

What is a fashion hack you love? 

Shape wear is a great hack people don't talk about enough, it makes clothes look neater, especially formal wear. 

What’s your favourite fashion era and why?

60’s - 70’s era because they explored bold colors, prints, and silhouettes, and I think during this time they gave us the coolest watches, jewelry, and prints. 

How do you keep your style unique and true to yourself?

I think the key thing is to not shop a lot, i know a lot of people assume the more you shop the better you dress but you’re just leading yourself to decision fatigue. Getting dressed should start from your closet always, never from inspo pictures.

How do you view fashion and getting dressed?

I view getting dressed as  different characters. Some days ill be really excited to get dressed and run all my errands while others not so much. It's important to let yourself rest creatively and not put pressure on yourself to always look good.

Who or what inspires the way you move through the world, in fashion and beyond?

My parents, they’ve taught me many lessons about fashion and how to build a sustainable wardrobe, but most importantly they've always supported and pushed  me to have a good work ethic especially when starting my brand or getting my certificate. 

Is there a designer whose work you genuinely love? What is it about their vision that gets you?

Ralph Lauren, I admire how resilient he was when it came to building his brand. He inspires me a lot when creating studio swyrl he built such an inspiring world for the brand that i hope to do the same. His work is always classic but included an element of fun (colors/prints). 

What are some of your favourite local Egyptian brands right now?

Studio Swyrl, Kai, Rebel Cairo, 

How does colour factor into how you dress and how you create?

I like to mix only 2-3 colors per outfit, and I think about it as outfits & accessories separately, that way I'm able to mix colors without getting overwhelmed. The accessories and outfit all have to either match by colors or have the same shade range. 

Tell us about your styling services? What inspired you to start? 

I started my styling training during my gap semester before moving to Cairo, i always knew I wanted to work in fashion and felt like it was the perfect time. My services revolve mainly on how to build a sustainable closet rather than pushing clients to purchase a whole new one. 

What is the fashion advice you would give a client? 

There's a difference between what we want to dress like vs what our lifestyle/body shape recommends us to dress like. 

What is your styling process? 

It starts off with learning about the client and her goals, then the type of service she'd like, after that ill be able to help her out whether its a closet clean out, working with what she has/adding a few new pieces, or a new style edit. 

What stores would you recommend to someone wanting to spice up their wardrobe/style? 

I always say shopping abroad, and supporting smaller boutiques and brands. But if I had to recommend places in Egypt to build a cool wardrobe it would be Marakaz, Khan Khalili, Reserved, and Massimo Dutti.

What are your styling non-negotiables? 

One of my biggest styling non-negotiables is dressing based on how I feel, not what’s trending. I want every outfit to feel personal and reflect my own taste, i rarely go on social media to find style inspo, it should always come from my closet and what I already have.

I also think it’s important to embrace the season of life you’re in. Not every day calls for a perfectly styled outfit, and that’s okay. Your style should reflect your lifestyle and how you feel, not the pressure to always be dressed up.

You don't need to spend so much on a capsule wardrobe, that is something built over time based on your preferences in basics, most of your money for shopping should go into statement pieces. 

Do you have a favourite Studio H piece? Why do you like it? 

I'm obsessed with the jackets that were released this spring, they’re all so different and unique. 

What does Studio H feel like to you, if you had to describe it using three words what would you say?

I would describe it as girly, fun, and colorful. It feels very playful, creative, and a brand catered to fun girls. 

How would you style one of the pieces from Studio H? 

I would pick the Paloma Blazer. I loved it the second I saw it. I would style it with velvet pants that are the same shade, with a lace tank top, baby blue clutch. I’d also do a slick bun and roll up the sleeves and add pointed toe heels.

That's a wrap on this month's chat with Ghadna! If there's one thing to take with you, it's this: great style has less to do with what's trending and more to do with knowing what actually feels like you. So the next time you're staring blankly into your closet, take a page from her book, mix that military green with a little baby blue, hold onto the pieces that mean something, and save up for the statement piece instead of the shopping spree. For more everyday inspiration, give @styledbygh a follow. Until next time!