I was fortunate to attend 3 of the 4 days of Stylist Live last October, and my life truly changed for the better. It truly was a cultural festival featuring everything a modern woman could possibly want from cocktails to beauty makeovers to fashion shows to award winning literature to live comedy and musical performances, to name but a few. I left in awe of the entire experience, and eager to absorb more knowledge, touch further bases, and network with even more amazing people the following day.
Jumper : TKMaxx Skirt : River Island Boots : Dorothy Perkins
The entire building had been given a Stylist makeover. From its trademark logo elegantly dangling from puppetstrings hung from the ceiling, to magnified versions of iconic front covers either branded on blocks in the “The Story of Stylist” area – an exhibition showcasing the magazine’s diligent staff and explaining the publication's history from a feminist pitch to a multidimensional empire - or also strewn like a patriotic flag from the ceiling, beaming in all its glory. Entrants were welcomed by a rectangular Stylist arch in the shape of a magazine front cover, missing it's content. This is later replicated on the first level, where two life size Stylist cover backdrops lay bare for attendees to take selfie and pose in front of. Not to mention the Swarovski selfie book station, and the photobooth which prints four shots and gives you the option to share on social media immediately or print it to keep forever.
Stylist Live c/o Clarins UK
Beauty - Stalls included Clarins, Aveda, GHD, Benefit, NARS, Birchbox, Little Ondine, Jessica Nails, Caudalie, among other much loved and independent brands. These brands offered makeovers, tips & tricks, blow bars, not to mention, samples! I went home with a Stylist totebag full of new goodies to try out! Top beauty brands shared expert tips and tricks on how to achieve the best and most flattering looks, and also how to take care of yourself and skin. Aside from indulging my highend skincare and beauty fantasies, I also gained a better understanding on how to care for myself from the inside out. Beauty truly is a journey of recognising your best assets, learning how best to work with your flaws.
Stylist Live c/o VocaList
Stylist Live c/o VocaList
Fashion & Style - There were fashion pop-ups of independent clothing and accessories brands everywhere! Not to mention the fashion show, showcasing this season's hottest trends, with take - home literature listing where each piece is stocked. Keeping attendees ahead of the game, but also clothing us with the knowledge and materials to help us stand out from the crowd is what tells Stylist apart from its competitors. With no subscription fee or cost attached, Stylist allows every woman feel her best on any budget. 
Literature - From book signings from featured authors at the Waterstones pop up, to live Q&As with Salman Rushdie and the newly awarded Man Booker Prize winner, Stylist Live provided its literary-fanatic attendees the opportunity to indulge their wildest desires by picking the brains of the greats, and also having the opportunity to hear live reads of adored content from the authors themselves. Broadening the scope of literature to a female audience is groundbreaking. Subconsciously, Stylist have redefined the literary market by showcasing a range of genres that females clearly read and are interested in, and doesn't discriminate by grouping our interests solely in "chic lit". And by including a renown distributor like Waterstones, Stylist have somewhat reflected a progressive revolution of the market and providers towards this sea of change.
The only thing I found disappointing (not for myself, as i fortunately attended everything I intended to) was the sheer mass of events etc happening at once. Overflow queues, not to mention, inaccessible routes due to oversubscription of the Q&As that spilled into the aisles. But bearing in mind it's only Stylist's first event? There's clearly scope to improve this minor glitch in future. Plus, with the benefit of technology relatively untouched, there's the scope for providing live feeds via periscope, or even recording for later dissemination as webinar series or podcasts.
The only thing I found disappointing (not for myself, as i fortunately attended everything I intended to) was the sheer mass of events etc happening at once. Overflow queues, not to mention, inaccessible routes due to oversubscription of the Q&As that spilled into the aisles. But bearing in mind it's only Stylist's first event? There's clearly scope to improve this minor glitch in future. Plus, with the benefit of technology relatively untouched, there's the scope for providing live feeds via periscope, or even recording for later dissemination as webinar series or podcasts.
Stylist Live - a true cultural festival
