Chip the Stylist

New York. Paris. Milan. Tokyo. Some of the biggest cities in fashion, but fashion thrives other places as well. Ladies, have you been wearing UGGs this winter? Most likely you have, so how is it that we forget about Australia when thinking about fashion, especially with models such as Gemma Ward and Elle Macpherson hailing from the island continent.

Upcoming fashion designer and stylist Chip Phomphithak has been working in the fashion industry for 15 years and is no stranger to Australian fashion. She has worked in various fashion publications as a freelance fashion assistant along with selling her designs since age 15. She began working for a clothing label Lili and Charlie Brown and she seized the opportunities presented to her there.She believes being a stylist is often underrated by some, but it is an essential part of music, fashion, and film. Styling is a form of expression and a key element in making everything cohesive. She says her role as a stylist is to break down any inhabitions and explore a person's true self which is then reflected on the external. She is currently working on the wardrobe of a short film, but her tasks vary. Some days she can be styling for an editorial or working with an artist.

After spending time in New York, Chip was inspired to create a children's clothing line, which she hopes to launch for the Australian summer. "As a designer I source ideas from colour, people and my environment. An idea can come from the arches of a church to the colour of the water." Her love for fashion and design came from none other than the Barbie Doll. When she was younger she would make clothes for Barbie and it went from there.

Her advice to young hopefuls who want to break into the fashion industry is "to believe in your ability and remember the business is cut- throat so having a strong backbone is key." She highly recommends studying business or marketing because one must constantly sell themselves and know their position. She admits that the fashion is difficult work but the rewards are fulfilling.

Follow her on Twitter: ChiptheStylist