Colour match

“If you look good, you feel good – and then you are unstoppable,” says personal stylist Rhona Langan. Elysia Fryer checks in to talk style, Spanish influence and today’s social pressures, over tapas in Harrogate

Whether it’s a Hollywood star, an Insta-famous fashion figure or a royal role model, we all have our own style icons for various reasons. In today’s ‘click and fix it’ world, we don’t fall short of inspiration to look and feel fantastic. The problem, however, is how we take those tips from the wider world and implement them into our own lives. Personally, I think I know what I’m looking for when I shop. I know which colours I am drawn to. But I have never actually sat down with an expert and defined my wardrobe, my style and my ‘best neutrals’. In search of inspiring female figures doing good things in the fashion world, I stumbled across the lovely Rhona Langan – a personal stylist and colour analysis expert based in Harrogate. A lightbulb moment over 12 years encouraged Rhona to take the plunge, leaving her life in Croydon for a slow and steady life in glorious Yorkshire. All in the bid to pursue a passion project as a qualified fashion stylist. Shortly after, Style Illuminated was born. “I have always loved fashion,” says Rhona. “As a child, I would pour over historical fashion books. I loved to visit stately homes and follow fashion through the ages.” A childhood craze which she didn’t shake off in her teenage years, Rhona’s love of all things fashion only grew with age. “I studied Spanish at university in Scotland,” she recalls as we sit down for tapas at La Feria in Harrogate. “And here we are, tucking into tapas in my favourite Spanish restaurant. How apt!” she laughs. “Much of what I do comes down to Spanish influence – hence the ‘camino stories’ on my website. In Spain, a ‘camino’ is a path, a journey, an adventure.

“I lived in Galicia, North West Spain, for some time, teaching in secondary schools as part of my degree. “Black and purple dominated my wardrobe in those days, and when I arrived in Spain, I was shocked to see so many bright colours. I was way out of my comfort zone, but as I settled into life in Spain, I was enjoying experimenting with style.” It wasn’t just the flamenco colours that inspired Rhona to ‘find her fashion’, it was the Spanish lifestyle, too. “As people, they are so well put together,” she says. “They don’t spend their fortunes on homes and cars – they often rent tiny flats and keep their funds for fun, food and fashion.

Long-lasting statement pieces are key “It’s great to invest in things like blazers and jackets. During wardrobe overhauls, you can change up the buttons to create a completely new piece.”

Revamp, revamp, revamp! “The single best thing anyone can do when it comes to sustainability, is to keep their own things for longer. Rework and restyle what you’ve already got so it keeps its space in your wardrobe, without missing out on key trends.”

Spanish people look fabulous, enjoy life and really own it – and I was totally inspired by that way of life.” Rhona’s return to the UK saw a move to Harrods’ fashion department as she entered the world she was always so fascinated with. Fast-forward through marriage, children and several training courses, and Rhona’s path led her to North Yorkshire, where, little did she know, her own personal styling journey was waiting in the wings. “It was a hobby to begin with, but when I moved up north it really transpired. “Fashion is a wonderful thing, you know. It’s amazing how it can alter people’s feelings changing. And once you’ve cracked it, it’s a wonderful thing!” Fashion isn’t just about sticking to catwalk styles and rolling with current trends, Rhona tells me. It’s about finding your ‘you’, mixing it with new-season style and having the confidence and courage to enjoy it. “There are so many ways in which we can experiment with fashion; and once we’ve got our confidence back, we’re unstoppable.” The ‘This is what 50 looks like’ campaign was, for Rhona, all about homing in on a mass of people who have the money to invest in new wardrobes, but don’t quite know how to reinvent themselves as they transition into the next stage of life.

“My work isn’t just about body shape and colouring. The fundamentals are found in who you are as a person and how you feel in your skin. “Once we’ve established your ‘you’, we can move on to the fun stuff. I always start with colour,” says Rhona. “Your colour match is based on eye colour, skin tone and hair. Once you’ve got your base tone - or your ‘best neutrals’ - we work with the seasons to find your colour match, be it bold brights or soft, muted hues. “In the same way that people believe in horoscopes, I have found that the palettes relate to personality characteristics, too. “I think autumns are quite deep thinking and quite solid – they analyse and are quite careful. Winters are quite dramatic – a lot of really bright colours and strong contrasts. Springs are social butterflies – a bit like a Gemini. And summers are very ladylike – all of those very pale pastels, quite demure. “I think it does all connect. It’s really interesting.” To establish colour and style, and to break the ice a little, Rhona starts with a ‘celebrity style icon’ quiz. She guides me through the main ‘looks’. You’ve got the ‘creative’ Ferne Cotton, the ‘dramatic’ Gwen Stefani, the ‘romantic’ Holly Willoughby, the ‘classic’ Kate Middleton, the ‘natural’ Jennifer Aniston, and finally the ‘chic’ Victoria Beckham. “Having your style icon and colour match is enough to see fantastic results,” says Rhona. “Wearing the right colour can take years off you. It instantly adds sparkle to your eyes. It’s a very powerful tool.” Conscious shopping is a hot topic at the moment, and something Rhona and I discuss in great detail. People want to buy the right clothes and want to be as sustainable as possible when rejigging their wardrobes as the seasons come and go. “We all need to buy less and make it last forever, which is another great reason for having your colour match, because you’re not going to waste money on clothes,” says Rhona. “Once we’ve established your colour, the next step is body shape. I help with the tips and tricks to play up the best bits and create a harmonious whole.” Though spring feels like the perfect time to renew your wardrobe, styling doesn’t always have to move with the seasons, Rhona tells me. “It’s best to work on your wardrobe when you’re having a transitional time in life,” she explains. “More and more people are buying clothes that work all year round. You’ll see people wearing a midi-dress with a polo neck underneath and biker boots in the winter; but then come summer, they’re styling it with strappy sandals or espadrilles. It’s called ‘clever fashion’. “I think the whole fashion industry is going to change in terms of collections. It used to be that collections would come out every few months, but I think it’s going to be more transitional now. It’s much more sustainable too.” Not only will you learn a thing or two about current trends, a session with Rhona will help you establish a sense of inner and outer style. I leave our tapas lunch feeling full of confidence with my newfound knowledge – ready to spring clean my wardrobe and colour-match my way through the new season. It’s safe to say, my shopping trips have never been so ‘focused’. I know exactly what I’m looking for and with Jennifer Anniston as my ‘colour icon’, I’m over the moon…

styleilluminated.co.uk

and completely change their outlook on life.” Swapping city life for village living was quite the challenge, Rhona tells me – but a move she will always look back on as a career defining moment. “We set up home in Spofforth and I felt like I’d been beamed up. It was like therapy. Although, I do remember going to a party in an asparagus field near Harewood and thinking, ‘I can’t quite believe I’m here, in my wellies!’ “But everybody was so friendly and I was enjoying the slower pace of life. It suited me perfectly. I got involved in community work in the village and started to feel a little bit Vicar of Dibley,” she laughs. Rhona started her Yorkshire fashion journey at Phase Eight in Harrogate, which tied in with the launch of the brand’s personal styling service. “I got to travel all over the UK, which was fabulous,” she explains. “And I appeared in the Daily Mail as part of the ‘This is what 50 looks like’ campaign.” The campaign was linked to the ‘silver-andsassy’ movement in over 50s fashion. An initiative encouraging women to be loud and proud; to be grey, gorgeous and full of mid-life optimism. “As you get older, your skin dulls down, your eyes soften a little and your body starts to change. And with all of that, so does your style. “The Daily Mail campaign was all about using high-street fashion to lift and shift the aspirations of mid-life ladies. “You don’t have to be a ‘beige lady’ when you hit 50,” says Rhona. “It’s about adjusting your wardrobe to work with how your body and lifestyle is “It felt very empowering for me, as a midlifer who had gone through two divorces, moved halfway up the country and had been a single mum for years. “That was three years ago now, and was one of the events that, in turn, gave me the confidence to take the plunge and launch my own business. “It then snowballed into this huge, exciting movement, and here I am, styling with a smile. “I feel like 2020 is my year – and it just shows you that you can do it at any age. I’m 54 and it’s the best I’ve ever felt!” From adventures in Spain and training with the best of the best at Harrods, to Phase Eight styling and mid-life inspiration, Rhona was ready to take the fashion world into her own hands. Style Illuminated is about empowering women to look and feel fabulous. Rhona’s guidance gives courage and confidence to clients who feel a little lost. “My job is to get the outside to reflect the inside. I like to focus on identity and personality, then the fashion follows,” she explains. “I have a lot of mid-life clients, but also ladies in their 30s who have loved fashion in the past but have lost their sense of style because life is running away with them. That’s where I step in… my job is to reignite the light between you, your wardrobe and your sense of style. It’s all to do with confidence and wellbeing.” In a world where we’re all exposed to the pressures of social media, celebrity culture and the expectations that come with how we should feel, act and look, it’s refreshing to see a businesswoman focusing on the feel-good aspect of fashion.

The power of the puff-sleeve “Puff sleeps are massive, literally! They’re everywhere. The nicest version of them at the moment is a lovely square or sweetheart neckline. Really flattering – particularly for the pear shape.

Stunning sunset hues “Sunset colours are big this season. Think bright orange accessories, dramatic red fabrics and splashes of warm purple.”

New Orleans native, Kellie Daniels, has used her Louisiana roots, the stories of strong women and the power of natural gemstones to create a beautiful jewellery brand based out of her Blaydon studio. Elysia Fryer steps into the world of SALOME...

Here at Luxe HQ, we love nothing more than championing inspiring women who, not only put our region on the map in business, but empower the people within it. This spring, we’re catching up with Kellie Daniels, a New Orleans native who made the North East home in 2012, before launching her own jewellery brand, SALOME, in 2016. Using handcrafted, gemstone designs, SALOME celebrates strong women and their stories; and is based on the ethos of donating 10% of all sales to charities supporting marginalised women across the world, helping them to achieve a brighter future. The chic new SALOME x Stephanie Waxberg collection presents a stunning combination of precious stones, working to uplift and inspire women, day and night. We find out more…

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN JEWELLERY DESIGN? I used to work at the Guggenheim and have always been inspired by art, architecture, and jewellery design. I was making the jewellery for myself and the first time I made jewellery for anyone else was for my wedding. It was my absolute dream to start my own brand and it finally happened in 2016! I am happy to get to do what I love every single day.

a strong, loving, and inspiring woman. We always shared this huge passion for jewellery. SALOME is very much about strong women, confidence, and their stories. I was always fascinated by natural gemstones and their power to uplift and inspire. Creating something that carries meaning is fulfilling.

YOU’RE ORIGINALLY FROM NEW ORLEANS - BUT ARE NOW BASED HERE IN THE NORTH EAST. WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE REGION AND WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT LIVING/WORKING HERE? My family and I moved to the UK in 2012 – my husband is from here and we always wanted to raise our kids where they could spend time around the family and cousins. I was 34 at that time, while my girls were seven, four and one. It really felt like a fresh start. It was both terrifying and freeing at the same time – I finally could do things I was too afraid to do back at home. I felt empowered as I had nothing to lose. I started working on my dream and SALOME was born.

WHAT MAKES YOUR JEWELLERY SPECIAL? SALOME is conscious, handcrafted jewellery made from all-natural stones and recycled metals. All the jewellery pieces carry the power of natural gemstones. It all comes back to my roots – the influence of my Mom, strong womanhood around the world and diversity of cultures and designs in New Orleans are things that inspire SALOME’s original and bohemian designs.

TELL US ABOUT THE NEW SALOME X STEPHANIE WAXBERG COLLECTION. HOW DID IT COME ABOUT AND WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND IT? The SW collection was the first ever design collaboration for SALOME. Featuring pearl and goldstone, it was a huge success and I couldn’t be happier about working together with Stephanie. We met in an event we hosted in aid of Cross River Gorilla at Kew Gardens in London and instantly clicked in our views about both jewellery and the

Signature earrings

Signature necklace

Tribe necklace world. Her chic, effortless, yet glamorous style combined with the bohemian and curious SALOME vibe resulted in very special pieces. Stephanie embodies what we call a SALOME girl and is a perfect addition to the SALOME tribe around the world.

PORTIONS OF YOUR SALES GO TO CHARITY - CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THEM AND WHY YOU FEEL IT’S IMPORTANT TO ‘GIVE BACK’? Our handcrafted jewellery is here to inspire and empower, so every piece supports women all around the world. We give 10% of all sales to different charities working towards helping marginalised women and their future. We are ambassadors of the Cross River Gorilla Project (CRGP) and support their efforts to save the critically endangered Cross River Gorilla and strengthen the local community. We organise SALOME WE Award (Women’s Empowerment Award) annual art competition for young girls in South West Cameroon to help offer more diversity and introduce the arts into their education. The winner receives a scholarship and second and third place winners also receive an amount that goes towards their continuing education. All students from the chosen school receive art supplies funded by SALOME, as well as art books and art tutorials to help the teachers introduce them to this wonderful world. A little closer to home, we offered our support to and partnered with the local Women’s Aid in Newcastle. We provide art supplies for the children of the women who are supported by Women’s Aid and also provide crystals and jewellery to help uplift and inspire women who are going through a turbulent time.

YOUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO HANGOUT IN THE NORTH EAST? I live in Axwell Park in Blaydon on a lake and it’s totally idyllic. So, combine the beautiful scenery with my favourite people, and home would have to be the answer. But Barter Books in Alnwick is a close second!

FINALLY, YOUR ‘THREE LUXE THINGS IN LIFE’? Jonathon - my husband. He’s my biggest fan and I adore him! Ella, Scarlett and Vivienne, my three little girls, are the joy of my life. Then, my mother’s wedding ring. It’s just priceless and it manages to capture her essence, which great jewellery manages to do. I feel so close to her when I wear it. salomedesigns.co.uk

Tribe earrings

Pearl swing earrings

BURBERRY White Mega Check Cashmere Scarf £450, brownsfashion.com

OLIVIA RUBIN Penelope Rainbow Silk-satin Midi Skirt, £330, selfridges.com

MONCLER Logo Waist Straight Leg Trousers, £415, brownsfashion.com TUTTI & CO Ray Scarf £39, tuttiandco.com ACNE STUDIOS Musubi Micro Leather Bag £600, selfridges.com

JENNIFER BEHR Pink Thada Silk Satin Headband, £190, brownsfashion.com

OLIVIA RUBIN Saffy Neon Mesh Mini Dress, £350, harveynichols.com

GUCCI Crystal-embellished Cat-eye Acetate Sunglasses, £365, matchesfashion.com ISABEL MARANT Xiao Leather Shirt, £1,955, mytheresa.com

BOTTEGA VENETA Brown Woven Leather Pumps, £845, brownsfashion.com

Spring has most definitely sprung and Easter is just around the corner, so, for this issue, we thought we’d do something fun! Our gorgeous model is a perfect example of how you can add bags of personality and sass to blonde hair - with these eye-catching dipped yellow ends! Schwarzkopf Professional has just launched an incredible new direct colour system which has the ability to transform your current hair colour into something show-stopping without the long-term commitment of regular colouring. With so many shades to choose from, the special Colour ID system has the ability to change, or enhance, the tone of your normal hair colour, leaving you with incredible results and super-soft locks that are in superb condition. The results are not permanent, though, and will gradually fade between salon visits. But this gives you the flexibility to switch things up every time, or opt in (or out) as many times as you fancy. These days, people are much more adventurous with their personal style and are ready to embrace individuality more and more - and hair colour is a huge part of this. It’s all about creating your own identity and owning your look. So, whether you’re looking for something soft and subtle, or totally head-turning this season, this could be the colour solution for you. CHROMA ID is available in all four of our Hooker & Young salons.