I met Brisbane stylist Cate Massi through the #everydaystyle movement on Instagram. She’s a fabulous mum-of-two, works at Veronika Maine at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre (which means I always get to drop in and see her lovely face) and is part of the The Friday Collective. She was also happy to have a chat and reveal the secrets of styling!
Describe yourself in three words?
FUN, LOUD, HONEST
When did you first develop an interest in style and fashion?
From the get GO! I drove my Mum insane #apparently, I would choose what I wanted to wear and that was that! In primary school I would go to the local op shops and find fun things, my favourites were a pair of flares in the Coca-Cola branding!!! Then in high school, I got things made by a friend of my Mum’s. My go to place was Sportsgirl and my bible was the Dolly mag.
Describe your personal style?
Mmmmm well it’s me – fun, loud and honest, it has evolved over time, with different needs playing a big part. But it has always played a major role in my life. Except when I had my children at ages 37 and 39 when I didn’t work, so I didn’t have the $$$$. I also didn’t lose my baby weight, so not much fashion or style was going on in those few years. However, good came from those couple of dark years as all of those factors played a big part in me getting myself together and reinventing myself. Which bought me to studying and working in fashion and becoming a Personal Stylist.
What does a Stylist do?
I’m all about the INDIVIDUAL! Helping women identify their needs and making the most out of everything in the wardrobe.
I love helping women reclaim their style or change it completely and I have worked with girls from 18 years to women in their late 70s, and everyone of them has wanted the same thing—to feel and look their very best.
We usually discuss the importance of a healthy mindset and the differences between inspiration and comparing ourselves to others and I always start by asking my clients to describe themselves in three words. Then as we delve into their wardrobes I check to see that these words are expressed in their outfits. It’s also important to ask these questions: Does it suit my shape? Does it fit? Do I love it? Is it ‘me’?
I love my job and I love to see the empowerment in my clients faces. I feel very lucky to be a part of so many empowering and special moments, from finding the most perfect outfit for a special birthday, for the Mother of the Bride or Groom, or to packing for an overseas holiday.
What fashion trend do you hope never comes back?
BIG HAIR!!!!!!!!! OMG! I’m having a bad flashback of a corkscrew perm!!! No more words needed.
Who are your style icons?
Oh, I have so many!! Actually I get inspo everywhere from, women on the street to Instagram and Pinterest. But, off the top of my head I would say, Kate Moss and Amanda Shadforth.
What do you love doing on your days off?
I love a beach day with the family and of course that means surfboards, boogie boards and skateboards. We mostly hit Byron (we got married there) as it’s our favorite place and then lunch at The Orient Express, it’s the freshest cleanest Chinese ever #yum
Follow Cate on Instagram here and Facebook here.
