Vancouver Fashion eZine - Online Fashion Magazine | Fashion Stylist - Leila Bani

Fashion Stylist Leila Bani is an artist in the truest sense. She would prefer to talk about fashion, models, her work, anything except herself. Others like her agent Gina Hole are happy to fill in the gaps. “Leila really is one of the most cutting-edge stylists in Canada now, always showing the coolest side of fashion. I always refer to Leila as my “barometer of cool.” She embodies the full essence of a New York stylist as she continuously keeps ahead of what and who are the latest up and coming looks/models/people/stars/parties, etc.”

Fashion became an obsession for Bani at an early age. She developed a passion for the beautiful imagery in fashion magazines and began stockpiling Vogues by age 10. Some came by subscription, some were purchased and some were given to her by others. Over the years they began to add up. “I had stacks and stacks of magazines that I couldn't get rid of. I still have the old ones but I didn't want to be that crazy lady buried under a pile of magazines if there was an earthquake so I had to give some of them away.”

It was while Bani was studying Fashion Merchandising at Blanche Macdonald that she styled her first photo shoot – a student assignment. “It was very conceptual and very fashion student. I wanted to show everything I could do all at once.” From there it was two years of working a day job while she tried to be involved with as many shoots as she could fit in. There came a point where she had to make that leap of faith and pursue styling full-time. “It was scary. The first year I just hustled. I never had another option - there was no Plan B.” She cold-called and e-mailed every photographer for bookings. Gaining access to wardrobe was hard as well. “There were times they were willing to loan me the clothes, but I had to guarantee it with my credit card.” Slowly she developed solid working relationships in the industry and when They Rep Agency opened their doors, the first in the area to represent artists, she quickly signed on.

One of the appeals of fashion styling is that every job is different. The job could be an editorial magazine spread, an advertising shoot or a celebrity shoot, and according to Bani you never know which will be more exciting. “I recently shot an ad for a mall that had an amazing team and an incredible art director. He just wanted us to do what we did best and [the ad] looks like editorial.” Another thing she loves is working with models. “A great model is incredibly inspiring and when you get top notch collaboration all around with the photographer and team, it’s the most beautiful thing.” Her artistic talent is undeniable and she is truly passionate about her work, but another reason for her success is that she collaborates easily with others. Despite all the amazing opportunities she has experienced, one highlight that still stands out for her was a thank you note she received from designer Catherine Malandrino expressing her delight with the outcome of a photo shoot.

Her celebrity clients like Diana Krall (recent Chatelaine cover), work with top photographers and models, plus a packed work schedule show that she's made it. In true Leila Bani fashion she does not see it that way. “I still don't really get that sense I've really made it. There's still a long way to go.” Spoken like a true artist.