Every once in a while, we get to meet people that change our life, our perception of things, who stir a new passion in us and awaken fresh goals and dreams. Annie Horth is definitely one of those people for me – a phenomenal stylist with a talent that provides artistic direction for companies, artists and magazine features, each of which carries its own challenges and stress.

Annie also happens to be the creative force behind Céline Dion’s amazing style, and the one who managed to single-handedly put Céline on the map as a fashion icon.  What is most inspiring about Annie is her ability to stay humble, regardless of the scale of her success as a fashion editor and that’s something I find truly remarkable and refreshing.

I hope you enjoy reading this up-close and personal interview with Annie Horth, as much as I enjoyed conducting it, and don’t forget to leave a comment.

La Mimi: Did you always want to be a fashion stylist or is it something that you’ve discovered as you were trying other careers?
Annie Horth: I was styling when I was young without knowing what a stylist was; giving haircuts to my brother or his friends, I loved a clipper! I enjoyed giving makeovers to nerdy friends and hiding some of my mother’s dresses I did not like as much as others. I did study fashion design, but it came back to styling later on.

La Mimi: I know the fashion industry is a tough business to break into, what was your big break?

Annie Horth: I was very lucky, as I proposed to the editor in chief of Elle here in Canada to write a column on new young artists of different fields, it was to be titled “Chasseur de têtes”.

She liked it (Monic Robillard was then at the head of the magazine), we clicked, I told her I came from a fashion design background, but wanted to learn  more about other artistic aspects or jobs.

I went off to New York to meet this new upcoming theatre director and never found him, as I never could get a hold of him. What a great start as a journalist! So, when I came back to her office, she was very understanding and offered me to style a shoot instead. She believed in me and that I’d be a good stylist.

I owe so much to that woman. I had never forgotten the way she generously took a chance on me, inspiring me to always try to give back to others, especially the younger people trying to make it in the fashion industry.

La Mimi: What is a typical day in your life as a fashion stylist like?
Annie Horth: I am ALWAYS on the lookout for inspiration for a different concept, for an art direction job or for styling, and as anything can be inspiring, my head is spinning with excitement.

I go through days without realizing what I do exactly. I naturally think about work all day and night! I usually have long days, working until midnight, daytime will be for researching in stores, clothes or props for a project, as well as sending requests to PR offices in Paris and NY, discussing  with photographers about direction, models, lighting, or developing graphics for a campaign that’s shot.

The flip side is the paperwork. As a stylist you have to deal with so much boring paperwork, lists of expenses, bills, unless you hire someone to do it for you, but it’s not easy to find someone to take care of that, I can tell you.

At night I’m on the laptop, jumping from a photographer’s website to an article from Cathy Horyn in NY Times, to a blog that usually leads me to the latest gossip in the fashion world, then I feel guilty to spend so much time on the web, so I open a book, but my mind constantly wonders around, with each phrase bringing me to an idea. I guess you have to be a little cuckoo to do this job.

La Mimi: What is the difference between someone stylish and a ‘stylist’?

Annie Horth: Well, I guess you can definitely be stylish without being a stylist but one can’t be a stylist without “understanding” what is stylish. Style is difficult to explain in words, it certainly is about individuality and personality more than anything. Style is the perfection of an idea. Style is a choice, an opinion.

Style is also saying “no”. A stylist edits; editing is saying no and to be able to choose you have to reject some things. Also, a lack of intelligence may be saved by good style… for a little while.

La Mimi: As Céline Dion’s stylist, you’ve gotten to know her quite well. What is her style? And is there anything that she absolutely won’t wear?
Annie Horth: No, she loves anything eccentric and would wear almost anything, I believe. She adores beautiful clothes, bags, jewelery and shoes. Oh Lord, does she love shoes! Céline appreciates the quality and the artistry in design making and is very open.

Céline has more than one favourite designer but her top designer is Alexander McQueen. However, she will wear tons of chic Giambatista Valli,  Bottega Venetta, YSL and other more “classic” couturiers.

I work with her on special occasions, like award shows, promo appearances, photo shoots or sometimes I do personal work for her day-to-day life, and the latest big project I’ve done was her world tour.

Since her body and legs are incredible, I think it’s better to create a simple linear silhouette, a sexy, modern, yet sophisticated look that will accentuate her beauty, work for her music, for the occasion and for her age. On stage though, there is always a place for more drama in the clothes.

La Mimi: Who are some of your favourite designers and why?

Annie Horth: Some of them I like to buy for myself, like Nicholas Ghesquière for  Balenciaga, Rick Owens, and Acne. I like strictness and there is something “refined-new-punk” about these lines, at the same time not being “sexy-in-your-face” style, which I appreciate.

I also appreciate other designers for different reasons. I think the very BEST designer to create extremely modern, refined, “femme”, chic and comfortable clothes for women is the superior couturier Mr. Alber Elbaz. I remember everything he did when he was at YSL before Lanvin.

In addition, I love Erdem, so feminine, but not ‘fleur bleue’ for a cool girl that does not think she has to be the biker chick to look fierce. He’s originally from Canada, aren’t we proud?

Also, Phoebe Philo who’s now at Celine (the brand) does everything I love. Everything real fashion should be about; beautifully designed, well-cut, feminine, never frilly, smart clothes and always with a cool edge. In short-effortless in an almost minimalistic way. However, never boring.

La Mimi: If you could pick 3 fashion must-haves that every woman should own, what would they be?

Annie Horth: A perfect pair of black high heel pumps, a perfect black handbag – sleek and square hard-covered, and a nice pair of dark square shades- nothing too big, just the “right” size! It’s all going to look easy and chic paired with a simple slim black pant or jeans with a  white crisp shirt or of course a perfect little black dress. That’s all you need really, not forgetting a rouge lipstick in your brand new bag.

La Mimi: What’s a great fashion tip that you can share with La Mimi readers?
Annie Horth: Don’t go by trends, just DON’T! Trust me, one should start by having fun and making mistakes. Mistakes are fresh and don’t exist if you are honest.  Most importantly- find yourself! Find your own style, work on it, and be sure not to copy. If you listen to what all these obnoxious stylists say, you’ll go “bananas”.

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Thanks for visiting and keep in touch ~ Mimi.