Mary Lawas AKA franzblog
Adelaide-based stylist and all-round creative, Mary Lawas, shows us snippets of her style and taste through her beautiful Instagram account franzblog – but we wanted to delve deeper to find out how Mary got her start in the industry and what her plans are for the future.
Photos by Adam Stanley
How would you describe what you do?
Good question! To be honest, I constantly feel like I am playing with a gigantic dress up box and I don’t know what I will create next, but I just go with it and have fun with whatever ideas come into mind. There’s a lot of practising styling, researching and even just constantly looking out for inspiration, involved in the process.
How did you make your start in styling?
I’ve always loved clothes. My wardrobe is embarrassingly overflowing. As a kid, the age-old story goes, I used to style my barbies in new outfits made out of different coloured socks. I also once forced my younger sister to be my dummy while I sewed a lovely azure coloured satin number onto her body. Wasn’t ideal for her when she attempted getting the dress off!
But in recent times, I started out styling myself for my blog. When I was a fashion designer I would assist with styling and dressing the models on photo shoots. I always really enjoyed this side of the industry. I had a true taste of styling a photo shoot autonomously when first working with my boyfriend Adam, a fashion photographer. I said to him before we started dating that I always wanted to style a shoot. Adam took a chance on me even though I had zero experience, and I feel we’ve both grown together as a great team because of it.
What’s the most challenging aspect of your work?
The most challenging would have to be when a look you envisioned in your mind just doesn’t seem to translate through the lens or on the model you had in mind, but it’s always a bit more fun when there’s a challenge. At the end of the day, it’s fashion not brain surgery – you need to remember to have fun with it.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
“Be the best version of yourself.”
Most prized item in your wardrobe?
Vintage Celine orange heeled sandals.
Highlight of your styling career so far?
A shoot I styled got into Fashion Journal this year.
Can you describe your style in three words?
Feminine, comfortable, classic.
Your advice for any aspiring stylists?
Trust yourself and let your imagination run wild.
Best piece of style advice?
Quality over quantity.
What’s next for you?
Next, I just want to continue refining my personal brand through uni, blogging and styling. I’d also love to do a bit of styling in New York when I go with Adam in December this year, we’ll see how we go!
#Styling by Mary Lawas
Check out another Stylist in our Meet the Stylist series.
