Meet the Stylist: Nola Singer
Nola Singer is a celebrity stylist who currently works with Naomie Harris, Sophia Bush, and Ireland Baldwin. Nola's looks have been featured in the NY Times Style Section, People, Glamour, Vogue, InStyle, Bazar, and Elle.
In addition to styling, Nola had launched a successful jewelry line featured at Henri Bendel, Intermix, Planet Blue, Harvey Nichols and Jewelmint. Previously Nola assisted Phillip Bloch. After branching out on her own, Nola was the costume designer for the MTV's New Tom Green Show and MTV's Wanna Come Inside. She has also styled Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Jennifer Coolidge, Adam Duritz, Alicia Silverstone, Kelly Clarkson, Kimberly Williams, Tara Reid, Cheryl Hines, and Rosalin Sanchez, among others.
She received a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from Loyola Marymount University, and has also studied Fashion in Florence Italy at the Lorenzo de Medici University. She currently lives in Los Angeles and is very passionate about rescuing animals. When she's not styling, she's working with various organizations and shelters in LA to help end animal homelessness. Check out our interview below with this talented woman!
SS: Tell us the story behind your favorite wardrobe item
My favorite wardrobe item is a Vintage Violet Lucite clutch that I bought at a Vintage store in Santa Barbara for $20. It goes with everything and is unique yet timeless. Once I was at a Chanel Retrospective event and a stranger offered me money to buy it off me, but I couldn’t sell it. It’s priceless to me.
SS: What's your most memorable 'panic moment'?
Last November I was styling Naomie Harris for her NY premiere of Mandela, sponsored by Vogue. Naomie had been doing interviews and press all day. We had less than 20 minutes for her to select her jewelry, touch up her make up and get in the car for her premiere. I was in LA so I was in the room helping her get ready via skype. We had the most exquiste dress Naomie was supposed to wear, and as she was putting it on, the zipper broke and fell off the dress. I panicked. There was nothing I could do since I was in LA. We had no time to fix it and she was alreadly late. Luckily we had another amazing dress from Burberry that she was able to wear, but it was the most stressful moment in my styling career. I guess the lesson is always travel with a back up for emergencies.
SS: How did you recover from it gracefully?
Eventually we had the dress she was supposed to wear to that event fixed and she wore it to another event. It all worked out in the end and she was able to wear both incredible looks.
SS: What is your favorite era for fashion?
I love the 1920’s. I love how the reckless party atmosphere encouraged women to wear then-risqué styles like short dresses. It paved the way for what fashion has become today. I adore everything Art Deco, especially the jewelry. I also love the 1970’s Boho chic style. I feel like my style is an eclectic mix of both of those eras with a feminine edge.
SS: What was your big break?
My big break was assisting Phillip Bloch in college. He fired his assistant on my second day interning for him and promoted me. I got to work with him and dress Halle Berry for all her press and her Emmy and Oscar wins. Being 20 years old and getting to pick out Valentino, Ellie Saab Couture gowns and Diamonds was truly a dream come true. I remember pinching myself that I was getting paid to play dress up with a perfect muse like Halle Berry with the most exquisite clothes and accessories.
SS: Whose closet would you most like to raid?
Sarah Jessica Parker. I am always in awe of her style and think her closet would be incredible and inspiring. She is also petite maybe we share the same shoe size...
SS: Who are your favorite designers?
I love Valentino, Giambatista Vali, Raf Simons, Prabal Gurung, Gucci, Burberry, Joseph Altuzarra, Stella McCartney, Chloe, Vionnet, Monique Lhulier, Tahkoon, and Christian Louboutain. I love fashion – it’s hard to pick favorites.
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