December 06, 2012
interior stylist imogen naylor
The courier dock at ACP Magazines is a place where you can bump into all sorts of people. On occasion I'd see and meet Imogen Naylor, who was then interior design editor at belle. While the images she created for the magazine were sublime, there's no doubt that they involved a lot of work - and many runs to the courier dock. Shortly after I started styling regularly for real living, Imogen left belle to commence maternity leave. She subsequently went freelance and has since been in demand for advertising clients and interior decorating work. In January 2012 she was also appointed style ambassador for Maison Instyle.
Which five words best describe you? Passionate, motivated, perfectionist, sensitive, real.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? It was all about timing, after graduating from uni I was lucky enough to know Romaine Alwill, who was the interior design editor of belle magazine at the time. She offered me an assisting role which lead to market editor followed by interiors editor. Yes, you have to do your time in the editorial world. I left my full-time role at belle to juggle the duties of motherhood and build up my freelance styling work and private interior decorating business.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Trust and listen to your intuition - it's sometimes one of the hardest things to do.
What’s your proudest career achievement? There have been a few, especially amongst my freelance clients, but a definite stand out is being offered the role of interior design editor of belle by Neale Whitaker.
What’s been your best decision? Marrying my husband, Louis Molines.
Who inspires you? If I can name a few: my gorgeous French cousins - the three of them are completely different but all encompass such savior faire - they have such an amazing positive outlook on life. Others are Axel Vervoordt, Pamela Makin of Les Interieurs, photographer Tim Walker and Marcel Wolterinck.
What are you passionate about? My son, getting the colour just right, bedding and an organised living space.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Michael Jackson - yes, I know what you are all thinking but besides his weird looks I think he was one of the most talented artists around. The movie showcasing the behind the scenes and the making of his world tour blew me away.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? I have a fabric shoot I have been designing for about 2-3 years now. I just need the budget, the time and the energy to produce it. And, of course, my dream house - you should see the mood board!
What are you reading? In all honesty, about a thousand different things from how to landscape your own backyard to Buddhism for mothers to interior design blogs. Last night was the Howards Storage World catalogue. It changes every night.
images courtesy of imogen naylor (photography jason loucas 1, 2 & 3, nick scott 4, and paul suesse 5)