September 01, 2015
STYLIST LUCIA BRAHAM
An early life spent surrounded by creatives had a big influence on Lucia Braham. The Sydney interior stylist says, “My father worked in the entertainment industry and my mother is an artist and owned a florist so there was never any shortage of materials with which to play and be creative.” Lucia has spent many years living and travelling overseas - from Hong Kong to London and Paris, and lived and studied in Italy where she attend the university in Perugia. The following year Lucia studied interior styling and colour consulting at the International School of Colour and Design in 2003. Since then she has worked as a property stylist and, for seven years, as an assistant to Steve Cordony [interview], the interior design editor at Belle. Now out on her own, one of her latest styling campaigns has been for Katriarna Rodgers [interview] of Sydney interiors store Urban Couture.
Which five words best describe you? Passionate, decisive, driven, thoughtful, traveller.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? My first job after graduating from college was for a home staging company. I would style and concept two different properties each day. Although it was exhausting, it was great experience to be styling in such a variety of different homes and styles. Prior to that, I had assisted a few stylists and after a couple of years, I knew that photographic styling was what I wanted to go back to. I cold-called and emailed any and every editorial stylist I knew of and, fortunately for me, Steve Cordony was just beginning his position as interior design editor at Belle. For the past seven years I have primarily assisted Steve, along with a lot of other influential stylists in Sydney, and before too long, I started being offered editorial and advertorial work of my own.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Work hard and always trust your gut instinct.
What’s your proudest career achievement? I wouldn’t say there’s one specific accomplishment I’m most proud of, but probably the fact that I’ve been able to make a living doing what I love most and the ability to sustain my life as a freelancer.
What’s been your best decision? To travel. In my opinion, there is nothing more challenging or inspiring.
Who inspires you? People who create new things. And Iris Apfel.
What are you passionate about? Travel, motorcycles, lighting design and anything made from wool or leather. What a mix!
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? This is an easy one for me - someone I’ve already met but would love to see again: my father, who passed away when I was a little girl.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? To design and build a container home, somewhere overlooking the water.
What are you reading? Not that I’m actually reading them - because I don’t speak French - but Ideat Magazine. A French interior design publication I picked up a subscription to at Maison Objet.