MAMAN WOMEN || Lou Heller

A career in fashion has always been written in the stars for now fashion stylist and personal shopper Lou Heller. Even when the idea was just a mere twinkle in her eye, Lou’s understanding of how to dress and knowledge of fabrication, fit and style has separated her from the rest. Her warm approach and relaxed manner has seen her client base grow tremendously over that last two and a half years with Lou now working full time in the industry she once saw as only as a dream.

As a working solo mother of three children and with clients all over New Zealand and Australia, the juggle is real. Any given week can see her managing family with career, regularly flying to see clients when needed and creating fresh, new and different content for her Style Journal, clients and brands she works alongside, as well as her own social media accounts.

Maman and Lou’s paths first crossed through a spontaneous visit she and her sister made to the boutique back when it was at its original Clonbern Road location. With her sister back from the US for a visit, Lou took her shopping in Auckland and came across Maman. ‘I just remember the store being a lovely place with lots of cool things you couldn’t get anywhere else. At the time a career in fashion was merely a dream and I remember meeting Emma on the boutique floor and chatting with her about the store and what I wanted to do in the future’. From that first conversation the support for each other has continued with Kate, Emma and Lou regularly working together to provide their communities with different and unique approaches to fashion.

On a recent client visit to Auckland we had the pleasure to photograph Lou in-store and in the surrounding refurbished Remuera Precinct. Always smiling and full of laughs, it was refreshing to see her live her ‘fashion can be fun’ philosophy first hand. A whirlwind in the store, we got to witness in real time how Lou puts an outfit together and the endless options she can come up with for a single item.

To read more about Lou’s style and her up-to-date take on fashion, head over to her Style Journal or tune in to her bi-weekly Facebook lives https://louhellerstylist.com/style-journal

Introducing Lou Heller

Fashion Stylist and Personal Shopper

Name:
Lou Heller.

Profession:
Fashion Stylist, Personal Shopper, Style Educator and Entrepreneur.

What inspires you:
Everything really! I take inspiration from fashion, interiors, food, architecture, music, art, floral design (my past career), my mum, my children and my work.

Favourite Maman Brands:
IRO, Ulla Johnson, Philippe Model, Citizens of Humanity and the Love Collection phone cases.

Go to Outfit:
I don't have just one as my mood changes daily however if I get stuck it would be heels, jeans and either a tee with statement jewellery or a one shouldered top and a blouse.

Style Inspiration/ Fashion Icon:
Victoria Beckham and the late Princess Diana.

Fashion Mantra:
Players are Stayers! A stayer is an item that you choose consciously and is 100% you. Take these items and play with them in outfits. Trust your gut and have fun!

Last thing you googled:
New eateries in Christchurch.

Favourite Instagram Accounts to follow:
@simon_devitt as he is the god of meme and I am here for the humour in life. I do follow a lot of amazing, inspiring fashion accounts, but I take what we are shown every day and try make fashion relatable and not be driven by trends and marketing.

What's in your handbag right now:
Lipstick, phone charger, cards, gloss, glasses and a spork because I hate wooden forks and I'm always eating on the go.

What's the one thing you can't live without:
Coffee, my amazing kids, my mum and close core friends. I can't live without my mum's almost daily calls to each other.

Last book you read:
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay.

What is the most precious thing in your wardrobe:
I think the only precious thing would be the bracelet I wear everyday my beautiful Nan gave to me just before she died. Previously I used to hold too much value on "things" but as time goes things are things and clothing is clothing. If we see things as being too precious we won't wear them regularly and get the wear out of them.

Most coveted fashion item at Maman right now:
Hmmm, so many if I am honest! I am in love with a lot of the IRO pieces like the Embellas belt, the Thera top and the Jayden Jersey. I'm someone who sticks with lists of what is needed but if I see something that lights me up I will purchase. I cull very regularly so anything I do buy is always consciously thought of and considered at the same time.

What's the biggest fashion mistake you've ever made:
A pair of brown faded cords in the year 2000!

What are you doing for the rest of the day:
Today I am off for a walk with a best friend in Christchurch and then home for some social media content. I have a client to shop for today then back to sort some things at home, dinner and catch up on work (write the answers to this!) and then bed.

Current song on rotate:
My daughter and I watched Annie the movie recently and fell in love with the song Opportunity by Quvenzhané Wallis. The words are so beautiful so I play that nearly daily when I'm away as it reminds me of her. My sons are also big music nuts and my eldest George is always sending me songs that he knows I'd love.

Are you a 'wish list' or and 'add to cart' kind of girl:
Definitely both but always consciously considered.

Last picture you took on your phone:
Hahaha... a selfie for work of course. I have over 25k photos and I need a serious cull!

Best compliment you have ever received:
That I 'hear' people. My clients tell me how much that means to them. It's and incredible feeling to have a job that gives back continuously.

Who would you most like to be stuck in an elevator with:
Hmmm great question! I want to say a very handsome man, but I also want to say Victoria Beckham so I could pick her brains!

Favourite quote or saying:
Thoughts create reality.

Best piece of advice your Mother gave you:
When I went through my separation two years ago after 22 years of being together it was heartbreaking. The thought of being alone for the rest of my life frightened me. My mum said in my early days of being on my own 'never rush the time on your own, as you will NEVER get it back. Use it to discover you and love you.' Now I look back and I am SOOOO grateful as that's exactly what I did. Her heart is so big and so unconditional.

What is your favourite Holiday Destination:
I think back to Spain as I felt very at home there in Barcelona.

What does being a Maman Women mean to you:
Such a great question! For me, being chosen brings such a humbling feeling. If I look back 5 years ago, I would never have thought my life would have panned out the way it has. Maman gives me an amazing platform to be placed amongst some other incredible woman before me. I love the Maman community and the friendships between the customers, Emma, Kate and their staff; it is really a lovely place to visit. It brings huge accomplishment via my Mum, as I TRULY owe her so much of what she has taught me in adversity.

Last words:
Years ago I was told "don't be stupid, you can't do that" by someone I seriously looked up to. They likely won't remember but it stuck with me and prevented me for years having the courage to get my self-belief to a place where I believed not only in me, but my business. Trust your gut, work with the gifts you've been given, do it with fun and it won't feel like work.

Thank you to Kate and Emma for this opportunity. I love working with Maman and bring different clients over and over to the boutique in Remuera. I know I can bring them in with trust which is amazing. Maman has fantastic engaging staff so whether I bring my gorgeous client in with me for a visit or mention to my online followers, I know they are in good hands! I also love watching all the New Arrivals online... whoops hahaha!

Location: Maman Boutique and Remuera Precinct

Photographer: Jono Parker

Styling: Lou Hellar