British stylist Katy Lassen is Fashion Editor of Let Them Eat Cake magazine. Her decadent yet unfussy approach to fashion is representative of her generation. Her passionate vision and respect for her predecessors, places Katy firmly amongst London’s new new guard.

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Q&A

Name: Katy Lassen
Year of birth: 1982
Nationality: British
Based In: London
Website: www.katylassen.com
Representation: none

How and why did you become a stylist/fashion editor?
Initially I wanted to be a fashion journalist so after University (Media and French at Sussex – not fashion) I did work experience at Vogue in fashion features. But I realised it was clothes rather than words that interested me more so I decided to pursue styling. I assisted for several months at Conde Nast at Vogue, Glamour and GQ and then GQ Style started and I was made Junior Fashion Editor of the launch issue. However menswear was not for me so I left and started working as a freelance womenswear stylist. In October 2007 I became Fashion Editor of Let Them Eat Cake magazine.

How would you describe your style?
Bold, unfussy, modern.

What do you think is your best work so far?
It is always my last shoot that I consider my best. It’s a main fashion story with photographer Rafael Stahelin in Let Them Eat Cake – the one off digital edition that launched at the end of November on cakeit.net

Who or what has influenced you?
My grandmother has been a huge influence on me – her personal style and her paintings inspire me personally as well as my work.

What is your earliest recollection of noticing or being inspired by fashion or style?
When I was about 4 I refused to wear trousers. At 5 I refused to wear skirts. I knew what I wanted from clothes even then!

What sets you apart from other people in your profession?
I am part of the new generation of talent and this marks us all out from our predecessors as we have grown up with the style magazines that they created – it’s so much more competitive now. But I would like to think that my work sets me apart, and perhaps my attitude to what I do – I feel very lucky to have such a great job.

What is your favorite childhood memory?
Playing in the fields around my house in the little village in Cumbria where I grew up.

Three people you would love to work with:
Sarah Moon, Paolo Roversi, I would love to have worked with Cecil Beaton.

Describe your dream project:
A colourful summer shoot in India.

Where do you find inspiration?
Paintings, films, books, fashion shoots from the 1950s, textiles, my family.

What is the most challenging aspect of your profession?
The politics.

What are you loving at the moment?
I am loving the exotic influences in the SS 09 collections and I’m especially loving the turbans and head pieces.

What is something unfashionable that you love anyway?
Nothing is unfashionable if you wear it well, but others might disagree when I wear my 80s waistcoats!

What’s one thing you don’t think anyone should wear, ever?
I like to think that nothing is out of bounds if worn well – but I am absolutely over neon/new rave. It’s over, don’t go there!

Film or book that has had a big impact on you:
The Secret of My Success (Michael J Fox 80s classic)

Best advice you have ever been given?
Don’t become a stylist. Obviously I didn’t listen!

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?
You have to be absolutely obsessed and passionate – it’s a long and tricky road but if you love it enough then it’s worth it.

Who do you think is one to watch?
There’s several new designers emerging at the moment who are very exciting – but my money is on Mark Fast and Mary Katrantzou.