Monique Soames
Colour, fabrics, interiors, costumes, fashion, food, travels, different cultures.. all these wonderful, rich sources, fuel my passion for styling and always have.. even from a young age, when l took so much pride and joy decorating my doll’s house.
l studied a Bachelor of Applied Art majoring in Graphic Design and Photography and then went onto work as an art director at Target head office. My 5 years working in this position, as the client, on the many fashion and product shoots, was totally rich and invaluable , giving me a first hand experience working in a creative team and of what a client is essentially looking for, expects and requires. This has created a quality compass within me, to strive for perfection and respect for all involved.
l went onto create a small successful designer homewares business called Made by Mermaidz, specialising in the manufacture of colourful homewares, and stationary. l sold these both in Australia and in Europe. A love story took me to live in Berlin and Budapest where l worked on films and designed gift cards and on my return home, in 1998, eager to co -create and be a part of a creative team again, l founded my freelance, creative styling business called The Big Style. 15 years on l am still as passionate for styling and design and my creativity and industry experience is rich and very extensive.
The Big Style offers a range of pre and post production services including:
*Model Casting/ booking and negotiations
* Scheduling
*Location searching and management
*Sourcing wardrobe and props
*Product and event styling
*TVC wardrobe and art department
*Commercial & Personal Styling
*Sessional Teaching
The Big Style has a vast wealth of experience and success working in all areas and mediums of advertising, dealing with clients direct, advertising agencies, suppliers, and designers in Australia, New York and Europe. l have a rich history and confidence dealing with Melbourne’s best model agencies, hair and make up artists, a whole network of designers and contacts, which makes a good photo shoot better and a creative assignment so successful.
Staying fresh and abreast of local and global trends is my priority, as is collaborating with other creative minds. The Big Style is all about bringing your ideas into focus and creating style… your style.
“To be a Stylist is like being a musical conductor. It’s the way you put together the objects, the setting, the people, which creates the mood, the look, the music” Monique Soames, The Big Style.