NYC Style: Magazine Stylist Ise White

by Kimberly Rae Miller

Ise White
Borough/Neighborhood:  Brooklyn, NY
Profession: Stylist/editor

Ise White grew up traveling.  The girl who attended fifteen schools in thirty years started her styling career early; apprenticing within the family business by the age of 10.  One Aunt was a pattern maker, another a costumer for the Danish Opera, and her mother a dressmaker. At 21 she opened up her own costume design company specializing in custom pieces for theater and film, six years later she moved to New York City to pursue a masters degree and began styling for Print and commercial work. Currently residing in New York, Ise is a contributor to Uomo Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and In Style.

How would you define your personal style?

Eclectic, Sexy, Arty.

When you're working with a client, what's your process in creating a signature style for them?

I never dress anyone for trends. You have to look at who the person is; what occasion they are dressing for; what is their comfort level, and how far do they want to push or be adventurous.  I also consider their occupation, and their reason behind getting a new wardrobe.

Clothes should make a person feel a certain way. It's my job to help them find it and help them define it for themselves. If they know [how they want to be defined],  help them become more up to date and fresh.

What should those of us without a stylist take into consideration when trying to create a defining look for ourselves?

Never dress for someone else's body type, find what works for you and your length of legs, torso, hair type and coloring.

Favorite item in your closet right now?

Vivienne Westwood buckled boots

Trends you wish would go away already?

Crocs on adults in street wear, pleated khaki pants, jelly shoes.

Favorite Five in the Five Boroughs:

Opening Ceremony carries independent designers from all over the world.  Their stock is always changing.

Ted Muehling: Artful and delicate, he has also gathered together a group of likeminded artful designers at his boutique in Soho.

If Boutique - One of my absolute favorites. Deconstructed avant garde clothing and couture. Everything from the shoes to the belts are great here.

Irene Albright is a fashion library and every so often cleans out old archive pieces and sells them downstairs. Her eye and choices of every season is impeccable so any chance to get an archive piece at a great price shouldn't be missed.

Claudia Ciuti is a designer from an Italian shoe-making family. It's in her blood. The shoes she makes,  besides being of the best materials and stylish,  are also extremely comfortable. I always grab her shoes when I have to work a job where I have to be on my feet all day in heels.. In fact I have a pair of her boots on right now.