Getting to Know: Kerry Athanassiou of Style Culture

Kerry Athanassiou started her styling business to help mums find their personal identity again after giving birth. She offers fun and practical personal styling and wardrobe makeover sessions, with a focus on easy style solutions. Find out about her approach, some trend tips for autumn, and the piece of advice she gives all her clients.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

Hi, I’m Kerry. I am mum to two teens and a fur baby called Apollo. I’ve been calling the inner west home since marrying my best friend nearly 24 years ago.

I am a personal fashion stylist with more than 25 years experience across fashion, design, retail and styling. I founded my personal styling business when my kids were little, after repeated conversations during play dates, talking to likeminded mums on maternity leave. It seemed so many women were struggling with their personal identity after giving birth, while others wanted a shift in career post kids, and were looking to find a new passion and drive. We all had one common goal, to feel good in our clothes. Natural progression through word-of-mouth lead me to officially launch the Style Culture Styling brand and website in 2011, although I had been working as a personal stylist for several years prior.

What services do you provide?

My styling services have been specifically created to provide you with easy style solutions. You won’t find the fuss and fluff here. Together we cover styles and colours that are specific to you, and where to shop on the budget you set. Be it an in-home Wardrobe Fix, a Personal Shopping Day or the Ultimate Personal Styling Make-Over, you can rest assured you will learn to love the way you dress again!

What does your typical workday involve?

A typical day for me starts with a 5.30am work out, followed by a puppy walk along the bay. Then back home in time for a quick change for school drop off. When I am not travelling to meet clients you will find me virtual styling interstate and via Los Angeles, New Hampshire, Canada and New Zealand.

The tagline of your business is “be fabulous at any age”. How does this guide your approach?

Oh, the tagline, sounds so cliché I know, but I’ve had it from the beginning, even before I launched a website. Why? Because I truly believe clothes are there to be enjoyed and that everyone deserves to feel good in what they wear. Whether you are a new mum, a corporate boss babe or a creative solo entrepreneur. Or if you’re returning to the office post-Covid, a student or a retiree – age is no barrier.

I have styled people from as young as 9-years through to people aged in their 70s. Feeling good in your own skin should never be about age. Feeling fabulous in what we wear should be normalised. And whilst we all know clothes are there to cover and protect our body, there are no rules when it comes to fashion created for having fun, no matter our age.

What does a personal styling session with you involve?

My approach is to make everyone I have the privilege of working with feel comfortable. Expect a lot of laughs, and a lot of progress! We initially connect via phone or Zoom. I listen, take notes and do my research before we meet. Whether you are looking for a total wardrobe overhaul or a seasonal style update, we work together to shop your own wardrobe first, to build a functional, easy and versatile way to get dressed that’s personal to you. All this before heading to the stores, saving you time and hopefully $$ from any future unnecessary purchases made on a whim.

If it’s a personal style update and refresh you are looking for, we go shopping for essentials that form the foundation of your wardrobe. Curating looks that provide you with confidence, compliment your body shape and suit your lifestyle.

This also applies to my Zoom styling sessions. Here’s a little fun fact, my Zoom styling sessions have been successfully operating since 2018, well before the 2020 pandemic!

What are some of the trends we can expect to see influencing winter fashion in Australia this year?

I’m not really a fan of trends, I love to draw attention to modern staples that go the distance while supporting our locally made, talented clothing designers. With autumn comes an array of statement prints and colour in the hope of lifting spirits and energy levels. Think shades of purple, lilac, soft baby blue and brown. The 90’s slip dress and maxi skirt are here to stay this year along with vegan pants, skirts and shirts (insert happy dance). Along with cargo pants and quilted coats and jackets. But the best style is the one that makes you feel confident!

What’s one piece of advice you give all your clients?

Oh, this one is easy, “dress for the body you have now and don’t worry about yesterday or last year, everything starts the minute you decide it’s time to move forward and make changes.”

Favourite place/s in the inner west?

Hm, after nearly 24 years there’s a few favourites, but let’s start with Bertoni Café in Balmain, a consistent family-run business that serves up the best almond latte in town. And The Balmain Hotel for those famous fries and past fun nights out.

Kerry Athanassiou offers wardrobe consultations, personal shopping assistance and makeovers. Find her business Style Culture at https://www.styleculture.com.au/