Stylist Allyson Longshore Finds the New Urban

By Anne Hunter

Photo by Susan Pfautsch

A celebrity in her own right, New York City stylist Allyson Longshore won’t forget her Southern roots. She has spent many summers sunning on crystal white beaches, so who better to master “urban-beach-chic” than this rock stylin’ maven of Southern royalty who is fast becoming one of NYC’s most in-demand fashion talents.

As VIE’s official Fashion Week Stylist this season, Longshore will be scouting out the new urban-beach look that we affectionately refer to as The New Urban – aptly named for the new urbanism design movement that started along Scenic Highway 30-A with the birth of Seaside, Florida, followed by its sister towns Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach.

Follow Allyson on Instagram @stylestudiolive

VIE: Tell us about your Southern roots.

Allyson: I am originally from Alabama. My family moved to Florida when I was 12 years old and for my teenage years, I grew up on Pensacola Beach. The beach always brought a sense of calm to my young life ever changing and evolving. As a little girl, I always felt inspired the minute my toes would hit the sand. I loved the Southern hospitality, natural beauty, and peacefulness that the beaches provided. I was always very particular about my flip-flops and eyewear and I have the fondest memories of preparing to go to the beach as a little girl: heart-shaped glasses, straw beach bag, the perfect swimsuit and a larger-than-life sun hat, and boom! Before I knew it, my look was complete, just like that. There was never a dull moment growing up on the beach and I have the fondest memories from my years there, which is why I call it my beach home today.

Why did you decide to become a stylist?

I decided to become a stylist because I love the art of making a person feel beautiful. When a human feels good about the way they look, it projects in all aspects of their life. It brings out an air of positivity and confidence that people relate to and really connect with. Fashion is a conversation starter, an icebreaker, and the ultimate from of self-expression. Everyone knows who they want to be but its not always easy to project that through fashion, and that’s where I come in and work my magic. It is so fulfilling and I wouldn’t change what I do for the world. Also, being a stylist is a very hands-on experience and I learn so much about people and their different lifestyles. I love connecting in that way.

When did your passion for fashion begin?

My passion for fashion began at a very young age. I always loved the art of dressing and process of getting glam-ed up. While growing up, we traveled a lot as a family. I was inspired by the countries that we visited. The styles that originated from their cultures inspired me. I would go home and encompass the look of the various cultures into my own personal style. Mixing colors, fabrics, bohemian styles, and urban styles is the ultimate way to create an iconic personal look. Anyone can walk into a boutique and buy a look off of a mannequin or a runway, but mixing and creating something unique and special based on your roots is what personal style and fashion is all about.

Why did you move to NYC?

I moved to NYC because I felt a deep urge to take my life to the next level and to submerge myself into an environment that provides endless inspiration and growth so that I could push as hard as I could to make my dreams come true. Alicia Keys and Jay Z said it best “Concrete jungle where dreams are made of.” It’s so true!

When did your career in fashion begin?

It all started shortly after graduating from college, when I was hired to work as a fashion assistant for JEFFREY in Atlanta. I was obsessed with JEFFREY’S cutting-edge boutique that had locations only in Atlanta and NYC Meatpacking. They carried a mix of Rick Owens, Comme Des Garcons, Dries Van Noten, Proenza, and all of the edgiest labels that I was following at the time. After three months of soaking myself into the construction and vibe of the designers, I was promoted to Ready-to-Wear Stylist. I was over the moon excited to have the opportunity to mix all of these cutting edge designers into individual looks for my clients and give them the very best service and looks imaginable. I felt totally inspired on a daily basis. There is something incredibly fulfilling about making a person feel beautiful and well dressed. After this happens a new sense of self and confidence emerges in my clients. It’s a beautiful thing to witness. It’s the reason why I do what I do.

What happened next?

After three years at Jeffrey, Valentino approached me with news that they were opening a boutique and would like for me to take on the roll as Ready-to-Wear specialist. Valentino has always been the epitome of luxury and elegance in my mind, and at this time Pierre Paolo and Maria Grazia were launching their first collection upon Mr. Valentino’s retirement. I was excited to have a place at an extremely credible fashion house and also to experience the wave of a fresh new aesthetic through the new designers of the house. Through my time in this position, I was flown to NYC on a regular basis for markets, meetings, client appointments, and gatherings. I was inspired the minute the plane would land in NYC.

Is that when you made the leap to move to NYC?

Seeing the fashion industry from an insider view in the fashion capital of the US and working with Valentino was really major. That was when I made the decision to push towards making my move to NYC to further my career. My goal was to continue working hard, save up for my shoebox apartment in the city, and make my dreams a reality. About that time, I was contacted by CHANEL for a position based in Atlanta that allowed significant NYC travel as Brand Ambassador. I accepted. It was the perfect transition for me at that time and I seized the opportunity and moved on to CHANEL. My life there included buying and representing the brand and the CHANEL lifestyle. It wasn’t too long after CHANEL that I made a personal decision to launch my dream, STYLESTUDIO, and follow my dream to NYC.

What is your favorite look? 

My personal favorite look usually includes leather and black with statement accessories by new and emerging designers. I love to mix statement luxury brands with the newbies that are fresh on the scene. Emerging talent is where I find some of the most unique pieces and I really love to embrace that for my personal look as well as for my clients.

Share a style secret.

My ultimate style tip is to follow your instincts when it comes to fashion and getting dressed and do not overthink it. Every person has comforts and silhouettes that they gravitate to, and often these are correct and just need to be modernized each season to keep your personal look evolving over time.

Why do you love living in the city?

My favorite thing about living in the city is the inspiration! It is EVERYWHERE. Street style, museums, the music scene, and the culture. There is such a strong melting pot here that I simply walk out of my front door and I instantly feel driven, inspired, and feel the desire to grow spiritually, fashionably, and culturally.

How does the beach life balance your city life?

There is a raw and natural factor with being on the beach that really balances out my life. I work in a very materialistic industry in NYC that is full of glitz and glamour on a daily basis and the way I balance that is knowing I have my “zone and getaway place” and that is along the beaches of South Walton. It is the ultimate balance for me and so easy to travel to. I honestly don’t know if I could survive being in NYC without my retreats to Seaside and 30-A. It’s there that I find my zen and free my mind from the chaos that is New York City.

Can you help us find that balance in an urban beach style for Fashion Week? 

Yes! That is my favorite juxtaposition because I am very bohemian and laid back, yet so driven, and I feed off of the energy of New York City. The resources, inspiration here, and energy of the city really drive me. All I have to do is take a stroll down Madison Ave. or through Soho and my creative goddess instantly emerges and I have visions of exactly what I want to do or a look that I want to create for my clients. Having beach life mixed with city life is the ultimate for me. They both balance each other out in the perfect way for my lifestyle.

Is it possible to have an NYC stylist and live across the country or globe? 

YES!!! That is what STYLESTUDIO is all about! We encompass all of the major luxury fashion brands and shopping destinations in NYC to provide a one-of-a-kind shopping service delivered directly to your doorstep, whether you are living at the beach or in the city. I have my eyes on the style pulse at all times, watching for the latest trends and fashions to provide the very best to our STYLESTUDIO clients. The process is simple and easy breezy. We simply arrange a time to speak in detail about your needs and style desires, and from that point forward the process begins. I put together looks, style them, and ship them directly to your doorstep. You simply shop from the comfort of your home on a consignment basis and keep what you love, and what doesn’t work is shipped back directly to STYLESTUDIO and we return it to the retailers. The client doesn’t have to lift a finger and nothing is charged until the decisions are made after trying everything on. It truly is the most enjoyable way to shop—fun, and most importantly, convenient!