Designer insights with Rebecca Newport

Rebecca Newport is an interiors stylist and design blogger working in London. She studied textile design at the Chelsea College of Art and has subsequently sold her collections to designers including Calvin Klein. Rebecca has worked as a buyer for British Homes Stores and Marks & Spencer, and as a freelance stylist has worked with a portfolio of international brands. She also recently launched her new textile range, Hello Petal. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Rebecca Newport.

Designer Insights - Rebecca Newport

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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?

My style is very feminine and playful. I love vintage props with history but I also have a more modern side that comes out in my work. I love being bold with colour and experimenting with it as much as I can.

2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?

In my styling work I start with a brief from a client. Most of the time I work on my own but occasionally I work with an art director and together we will come up with a visual style for a photoshoot. I’ll often look for inspiration on places like Pinterest and various design blogs. It’s really important to me that I come up with new and innovative ideas for photoshoots. I will then go off and source furniture, recce photoshoot locations, have props made up by set builders etc that compliment this. On the day of the photoshoot I work with a photographer on set to style the imagery.

3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?

I really admire the photographer Debi Treloar (debitreloar.com) She photographed my new textiles range Hello Petal. I love her style and the fact that she only shoots with daylight. Her home (where we shot the Hello Petal lookbook) is one of my favourite location houses in London. It’s filled with beautiful things sourced from her travels. I’m often reminded of my own visits to SE Asia when I visit there.

4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?

I usually look at Pinterest! It’s the best source of inspiration for me. I love looking at how people collect and file images on a theme. I’ve seen some wonderful boards that are dedicated to one subject but go off on really interesting tangents of colour and theme.

5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?

A lot of hard work and a passion for being creative. If you are looking to get into styling the best advice I can give is to get some work experience on a magazine or assisting an established stylist. This is what I did and it was invaluable. You will get a really good understanding of how the industry works and how it’s important to develop your own style.