Fashion
Amy Lu, award-winning Fashion Stylist
Fashion Merchandising Graduate
Fashion Stylist
Amy Lu is a 2001 graduate of Blanche Macdonald’s Fashion Merchandising Program and has since worked with renowned photographers, models and celebrities in locations around the world. Her work has appeared in editorials for FASHION Magazine (in which she was also voted one of Canada’s “best dressed”), Interview, Ocean Drive, Zink and Vanity Fair and in national advertising campaigns for Coca Cola, Nike, Air Canada and Timberland. Throughout her career, Lu has been the fashion editor for Donato Magazine and had a weekly fashion column called “Kool Thing” in the Georgia Strait for more than five years running.
This award-winning stylist also received BC Apparel’s Fashion Stylist of the Year award in 2003 and some images she styled for photographer Barbara Cole won the 2008 Grand Prix of Fashion Photography at the International Festival of Photography in Cannes.
Chances are you’ve seen this fashionphile make appearances on Inside Entertainment and Canada’s Next Top Model.
To view Amy Lu's incredible portfolio of work, visit her website at www.amylu.ca.
BMC: Of the many projects that you’ve done, which are the most unforgettable?
AL: Unforgettable projects can be unforgettable for many reasons; sometimes the photographer is someone I have wanted to work with for years; it could be an incredible location, or racks of the most amazing clothes; a beautiful model, the buzz of working with a celebrity...to be honest, I was just as excited about the first advertisement I styled for protein bars when I saw it in Chatelaine Magazine as I was shooting my first editorial for FASHION Magazine. Well…maybe not quite as excited, but at that time it was a big deal for me. It’s all relative to where you are on your path.
BMC: Where are some of the most memorable locations that you have worked in?
AL: Besides the fashion, working in brilliant locations is my favourite part of the job. I have been blessed to shoot in some of the most incredible nature locations in North America. I'd have to say shooting all over the Lake Tahoe area was one of my most favourites; it was mind-blowingly beautiful. Oftentimes we shoot in big fancy mansions too, which is uber inspiring!
BMC: You have worked with numerous top celebrities and photographers. Who were some of your favourite ones?
AL: I love working with Richard Bernardin from Montreal; the way he approaches shoots is fascinating. Gabor Jurina is amazing and understands fashion better than any other photographer I have worked with. Mark Zibert is one of my favourite advertising photographers. His work is stella. Chris Haylett and I have worked together for years and I totally respect his years of experience and the beautiful locations he hunts down.
As for celebrities, I have to say working with Terrence Howard was unforgettable, not because of the clothes but because the shoot was so intimate and the crew were all good friends. After we got a few shots, he put on an impromptu concert for us and made all of the girls’ hearts melt.
BMC: Was Blanche Macdonald what you expected? Did it meet your expectation?
AL: Blanche gave me a very broad overview of the industry as a whole. It also gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in fashion for the duration of the course, which was, in hindsight, invaluable.
BMC: Any tips for stylists who are starting out in the industry?
AL: Get started! It takes a long time, a ton of dedication, passion and hard work, but if you are in LOVE with clothes and photography, it is the best job in the world.
BMC: What would you tell future students coming to Blanche Macdonald to study Fashion Merchandising?
AL: Take advantage of all of the opportunities. Volunteer or intern whenever possible, network, go above and beyond what you think you should do. It’s not only about getting good grades; it’s about making the most out of the opportunity as you can.
