Vancouver Fashion eZine - Online Magazine

For 5 years her weekly articles have been a feature in The Straight and she is an Editor at Donato Magazine in Toronto, but Amy Lu is still best known for her work as a stylist. Fashion stylists are only now beginning to receive recognition and Lu is one of the top in Canada. She is always on the move, maintaining residences in both Vancouver and Toronto. Locally we have seen her work in Ion, Vancouver Magazine, The Straight, and The Province to name but a few. Her resume is an extensive list of advertising, editorial, photography, TV and celebrities. Best of all, she loves what she does!

A passion for fashion has been there from the beginning. "I was the type of kid that was always planning my outfits." She even refused to join Brownies because of the uniform. An amazing 3 years were spent after graduation traveling with a friend around Europe and Asia experiencing other cultures, even working on a kibbutz in Israel. "We went everywhere, we were kind of fearless". On return to Canada Lu eventually settled in the Merchandising program at Blanche Macdonald. Two months after starting school she styled her first photo shoot and there was no turning back. Many early opportunities were volunteer, but the experience gained was invaluable and professional work increasingly came her way. With no mentor to teach her the ropes she made up the rules as she went along taking care of all details herself. Now an agent handles the business end freeing her to focus all her energy on the creative side.

Styling is a profession where each project is unique and has its own requirements. She could function as a creative director or be specifically in charge of wardrobe. Understanding all aspects of the shoot is important and Lu is a jack-of-all-trades who has taken additional courses in many related fields. On a commercial shoot she meets with the director and then decodes what the descriptions (such as "normal") mean to this person. A selection of garments is chosen that include: (1) what was asked for, (2) what she knows will work, and (3) what she knows will probably be used - all in several sizes. For every project the first things she considers is "...what the end result will be. Is it a consumer magazine? Is it a really creative edgy magazine where you have a lot more freedom? What are you trying to sell here?...You have to take each project and start from scratch because they're all different." The photographer's style, the model, the setting, the audience and the story behind the image is all factored in. Garments might be on loan from designers, rented, purchased or sewn depending on the job. Inspiration can come from anywhere and each element included is an integral part. The final result is a reflection of everyone's expertise. "...Unless the whole team brings it - an amazing model, an amazing photographer, an amazing make-up artist - if any of those elements are gone the shoot suffers."

A passion for her work has made Amy Lu one of the elite stylists in Canada and her advice for others is simple. "You want to surround yourself with people who feel as strongly about something as you do...You learn that to get the best shots you have to work with people who are as passionate as you are." To see more of Lu's work please visit her website at www.amylu.ca.