Children's Fashion Stylist - Natalija Lara

1. Children’s Fashion Stylist – Natalija Lara Yes, it’s a real career & it might just be the most fun job ever! I discovered my love for styling children during my very first photoshoot as Creative Director for my then online boutique Child Collective. Everything from curating a theme for the collection, shopping photographer/venue/models/hair/makeup through to styling the outfits and accessories on some of the cutest little people that you are likely to see! for props, booking the Although I have spent many years styling and dressing women in retail as well as one- on-one personal consulting, working with children has brought me the greatest career satisfaction. There is something unique but exciting about dressing a child in over the top trendy outfits using the most glamorous fabrics like tulle, colourful faux fur and overalls just as an example. Almost nothing is off limits as only babies and kids can get away with wearing such outfits and being accessorised from head to toe looking adorable beyond belief. We have all at one time or another said “I wish that comes in my size” haha.

2. Key Stylist - When it comes to being a Key Stylist on photoshoots for magazines and online ecommerce stores, I just can’t go past those gorgeous big smiles and cheeky grins they give you when you bribe them with a sweet-treat to stand still and give you their biggest pearly white smile….yes bribery goes on behind the scenes from both parents and stylist alike. I am always armed with an arsenal of yummy sweets and nursery rhymes up my sleeve. Also kids have blunt, funny and imaginative personalities that usually have me in stitches. I guess you could say I really appreciate their honestly as I see myself in them most of the time. Weirdly enough, pulling clothing for shoots and wiping runny noses is up there equally as my favourite job description of being a children’s stylist as you can’t do one without the other really. Personal stylist - Since having children and styling them for various product photoshoots and of course for our everyday outings, I have taken a genuine liking to personal styling in particular. I am so lucky to have little “mini me’s” to dress-up and share my passion for eccentric clothing and loud accessories. We spend hours playing, laughing and imitating movie and cartoon characters which I have found encourages them to build on their imagination while building self confidence in the form of personal style and positive body image-whacky play time dress-ups and lounge room performances go hand in hand in our house :). My kids Kasija, Maksim and now Alisija, along with my other pint sized clients have taught me so much about what challenges parents face when it comes to shopping for their baby/toddler or even older children with setting up their wardrobe/closets as it comes in at a distant second. Let’s face it it’s no easy task to coordinate an aesthetically pleasing, neat and space saving wardrobe which includes all their basic, key pieces, shoes and accessories they will need for that season. We wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time - so that’s true for kids too. A Children’s fashion stylist can save you a lot of angst while saving you money in the long run especially as children grow so quickly. My advice to styling children wardrobes focuses on saving “mum and dad” an enormous amount of time and money by having a small collection of “must-have” clothing and accessories basics which covers every outing….a “capsule” wardrobe if you wish. I also focus on helping parents arrange their child’s wardrobe/room so that as their child grows they learn to dress themselves earlier and easier - a time saving (and sometimes lifesaving) tip to help us stay sane as we add siblings and extra responsibilities to the mix. This is one of the main reasons I have recently launched my own baby shoes and accessories brand La Vera Kids. In keeping true to my values and beliefs I take great inspiration from one of my fave bloggers turned business women, Amber Fillerup from Barefoot Blonde and Dae Hair, that i admire greatly. Amber said, “The best piece of

3. advice I have been given, is to create a life where you never have to ‘work’ because you enjoy what you do so much.” That is why writing this blog and running La Vera Kids has brought me so much happiness and appreciation to every reader and customer who supports my journey and allows me to do what I love every day. Let me help you simplify shopping for your soon to be baby, toddler or older children no matter what age they are regardless of your budget. It’s not where you shop it’s HOW you shop. La Vera Kids Shoes and Accessories - You’re never too young for bling!