The new Public Desire TV AD served up some serious looks and has given us some major outfit inspo for June 21st. We wanted to catch up with super stylist, Jess Walsh, to speak about life, trends and her inspo behind the TV advert.
Any plans this summer?
I will keep busy with my freelance styling and will be returning to Ibiza to do some exciting summer photoshoots attending festivals now that things are looking up.
Any bottomless brunch outfit inspo for us?
Bottomless brunch is my favourite thing to do, I love it when you can turn your dressy/casual day to night look, the trick to make it look easy is to wear a one key piece then layer and accessories. Denim is a must have for me as you can dress it up or down and bring different colours, textures into your look. Whether it’s a pair of shorts or a skirt worn with a bralette and an oversized shirt or blazer it’s always a good look wearing with this season's colour trends a pop of yellow. I also tend to go for statement flat or wedge day sandals to strappy heels to dance the night away.
What made you realise that you wanted to be a stylist?
I always wanted to work in fashion from a young age, I loved mixing and matching clothing/accessorising with shoes, hats, bags, jewellery and at age 14 I was lucky enough to get some work experience with a well -known department store in their buying/marketing department and some experience in celebrity shooting. I did make the decision, though, to keep going with my studies and achieved a BTEC in Business and Fashion Marketing and a 2:1 in Fashion Promotion with Styling at UCL.
I have literally taken every opportunity and run with it. Whilst at college I was lucky enough to meet top stylist Gemma Sheppard, who was working with X Factor at the time. She became my mentor. Gemma has been brilliant with advice and opportunities and has helped me build confidence and resilience in this competitive industry.
Working for many exciting brands in studio shoots, I was excited when I got my first location styling shoot that was for Megan McKenna in Dubai for her first S/S collection, this was followed by styling Tom Jones band at the NTA awards. I have done such varied styling work, and even set up a River Island Style Studio in Liverpool for VIP personal shopping, but I knew I wanted to go out on my own, so I launched “Styled By JW" I have worked with some exciting brands and celebs and very proud of styling the recent Public Desire TV advert.
What was the main inspiration behind the Public Desire TV AD?
The main inspiration for me was “get back out there in SS21” after lockdown, saying goodbye to lounge wear and dressing up to celebrate with your girlfriends, “ a cool twinning vibe”.
I went for a complimentary contrast look with their outfits to match their hair, skin tone and body shape and give a quirky, sexy vibe. Ensuring the shoes would pop, making best use of the production creative team props, tube lights and boxes etc.
My idea was to make a statement look with colour trends and styles for SS21. I went for Tie dye, pastel’s, nude and tonal soft water colour flow and a bright, bold, highlighter selection to show off the fab Public Desire shoe collection.
What are your favourite SS21 sandal trends?
I love the rope twisted knot flat sandal, in natural, bright and tie dye, the chunky grandad sandals are also great for day wear and for an evening look I would always go for a platform sandal. I love a high heel for shoots.
Chunky sandals are everywhere this season, any tips for styling them?
I would style with baggy shorts and a T-shirt layered with an oversized shirt or jacket, a cross body bag, hat and a pair of sunglasses to get that effortless, cool, casual look.
How would you describe your own style?
My own style is individual, very unique, strong, quirky and out there. I love accessorising and mixing high street with designer and build my outfit around a statement piece, a bit different from the rest shall we say, with a twist. Making me feel confident and stand out, comfortable and looking my best.
What’s a wardrobe essential that you swear by?
My favourite wardrobe essential is an oversized shoulder padded blazer, a fab pair of shoes and an accessory hat or glasses, I feel it can totally change your look into dressy or casual.
What is your favourite trend of SS21?
The mini skirt is back showing some leg and I love the “Do the floss” as I’m mad about the tie string tops around the body, paired with Public Desire strappy heels- making us feel “Strappy happy”.
Straight leg denim jeans with pastel coloured cut outs tops or bright knitwear giving you that cool effortless look, “leaning into colour showing hints of skin making us feel fresh again”.
What accessories should we be wearing this season?
A bright colourful bag with a gold chain, coloured chunky jewellery - yes plastic is back in! I also love a headscarf and white knee-high boots.
What is the best part of your job?
I love collaborating with different people, using my creative flair, making people look and feel their best, whether it’s a model, a celebrity or a brand customer. I love putting people at ease and getting the best outcome on any customer look, project or shoot I’m working on, for example achieving great unique TV adverts, big campaign shoots on billboards or increasing sales through great social media looks.
Your favourite catwalk inspo for this season?
I love Jacquemus for clothing inspo due to their carefree, cool, sexy, tonal day to night looks with cropped string tops, oversized blazers, great shaped shorts that look great accessorised up with Bottega Veneta bold coloured accessories, large earrings, sun glasses and small bags you can dress up or dress down with flat or heeled shoes.
I am inspired by Versace for their bright colours and bold prints, textures and styles, their dresses are perfect for parties ,they are so comfortable but make you feel sexy. Their shorts and bralette co-ords with an oversized jacket is a great look.
Alessandra Rich sums me up for my beach wear collection. She does seductive numbers for girls with a big social life.
Your favourite item from the new AMBER X PUBLIC DESIRE collection?
My favourite is the Minimale yellow PU twist front strappy heel, as the bright neon yellow is on trend and is a holiday must have.
The oversized blazer in beige would be my statement piece. layered over any outfit to give an evening look.
I also love the pocket detail oversized shirt dress in pink, that I would layer up with the Minimale white PU twist front strappy heel.
The tie dye waist detail shorts and oversized hoodie co-ord in blue is my lounge to go to.
Thanks for chatting with us Jess! We certainly have been inspired to update our SS21 wardrobe just in time for June 21st. You can shop our newness online now😍
