Well-known stylist and photographer LUKE ENGERER tells Colin Fitz about Personal Shopper, his new project that offers fashionistas with too little time to shop, the opportunity to have their desired items delivered to their home. This article appeared in FIRST magazine.
In the last 10 years, Luke Engerer has established himself as one of Malta’s most creative fashion gurus. The 34-year-old Stylist, Creative Director and Entrepreneur’s work has appeared in countless issues of Sunday magazines.
Another project that Luke has recently added to his styling and photography portfolio is a business venture called Personal Shopper.
“I came up with Personal Shopper a few months ago,” he explains. “Shopping can be a tedious task at times, especially if you have limited time to do it. And I often get messages or e-mails from people looking for some item of clothing who want to know where the best place to get it from would be.
“So the idea was to make it easier for everyone to know what is available and where and also the option of ordering it online for free on the next day delivery,” he added.
What sort of brands and products are we talking about here, I ask.
“I appreciate good quality clothing and brands that offer quality and a unique point of view. The brands have all been selected on these criteria in mind,” he replies.
Personal Shopper is currently a one man show: Luke built the site, he takes all the photos and handles all the content management. He also offers a live online chat service for people looking for fashion and clothing advice; and finally, he delivers what the client has bought.
Meanwhile, Luke has continued with his other work, such as styling fashion shoots for various magazines.
“I’ve done over 100 magazine shoots so far. Some may think that styling is a glamorous job, but it's actually far from it. It’s mentally and physically exhausting. Sometimes I feel like a mule with the amount of bags full of clothes I have to carry to and from shops all over the island. I often have over 100 pieces of clothing for pick-up and return,” he says.
“It takes me about a week to get it all together and it doesn't end with the shoot. After that I bring everything back to my studio to catalogue – price, brand and so on – and then there’s the folding and sorting then back to shops.”
I asked him if he has a particular styling motif or signature he always infuses into his creations.
“To me it’s about being able to work with different styles and giving your own take to the final product. There are many factors that contribute to this. What a lot of new stylists and even photographers don't quite understand is that when you are working for a magazine, it is commercial styling, you are given a list of participating brands and you have to work with those.”
Having worked so closely with photographers over the last decade led to an interest in photography. “My creativity in photography is stimulated by change and new experiences, good or bad. We live in a state of constant change so there is always something to inspire me. It's about taking that emotion and focusing it on creating something beautiful,” he says.
“When it comes to photography, I gravitate more towards portrait and beauty. I'm all about bringing out the best in a person. It's not just models: I like to shoot regular and diverse people. Not many people are comfortable in front of a camera so it's about putting people at ease allowing them to be themselves, with no poses or unnecessary props.”
Find Personal Shopper at www.personalshopper.com.mt and on Facebook.