Mays Modecollege

Guest lecturer: Grace Coddington

Don't expect any ready-made styling tips from Grace Coddington (Vogue stylist who was the creative director of Vogue US for many years), that would be too easy. She prefers that you keep your eyes open and get inspired. And oh yes: “My feeling is that people should concentrate on their jobs and not all that I want to be a celebrity shit.” My advice: especially keep your eyes open for Grace, because if you can learn something from someone...

1. Get a signature haircut

Which doesn't mean you can't change your hairstyle. You change as a person, so your hair meanders along. Grace went from an asymmetrical blonde bob to her famous five-cut pixie haircut to her signature look that she has had for over forty years: flaming red with a frizzy perm. Luckily, Grace's partner is the famous hairstylist Didier Malige, because this hairstyle screams for a bi-weekly touch-up, pardon, treatment.

2. Blue is the secret to a good photo

The most beautiful photos are taken with a blue background. Preferably the sea. Grace grew up on the Scottish coast and was happiest when she went sailing with her own little boat. She took her love for the sea into the iconic photos she styled, which were taken by Norman Parkinson. Furthermore, you will often see Grace in black or KLM blue, although Grace will undoubtedly have another word for that. Did you know that Grace once dumped blue paint in the sea to make the water even bluer for a photo? Let's not let Al Gore hear that.

3. The tuxedo pants are the perfect Fashion Week pants

Grace actually always wears dark tuxedo pants, preferably with flat slip-ons or sandals. For her, comfort comes before fashion, which is quite funny.

4. Keep your private life private

Or at least only tell what you want to tell. So Grace wrote a book. If you want to read something; this book. Very nice. Do you want some literature tips for the summer? This Marion Pauw selected for you.

5. Be proud of your ‘deviations’

Or as Grace puts it: “I prefer imperfections, they’re more interesting. Perfect is boring.”

I think that's a nice note to end on. Amen. More Grace? I wrote here seven things you didn't know about her but are quite interesting.