Celebrity stylist Jess Pecoraro shares her best tips for shopping sustainably | Interview

Jess Pecoraro has dressed some of the world’s biggest stars and worked with ultra-exclusive fashion houses, including Valentino and Manning Cartell.

So, it might come as a surprise that Pecoraro advises against following trends and advocates for shopping sustainably.

In fact, in a world of forever-evolving fashion, there is one rule she wishes people would break more often.

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Pecoraro recommends people “embrace their own style and not be so concerned about following trends.”

“As a stylist, I think [sustainability] is something that you have to be aware of,” she explains.

“That is why I am such a believer in investing in classic, timeless pieces that you will have forever rather than focusing only on trends.

“Shopping for pre-loved fashion opens up a treasure trove of styles, from luxury to vintage.”

Explaining the ins and outs of her job, the Aussie stylist says what she loves most is that “every day is different”.

“Some days are spent preparing for a shoot, others in fittings, planning a runway, being on set researching or doing admin,” she says.

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Pecoraro has had some fantastic experiences throughout her ever-growing career, including dressing Jackie O, Zoe Foster Blake, Jesinta Franklin, Kate Waterhouse and Georgia Fowler.

She doesn’t have a stand-out celebrity but loves to style, and Pecoraro enjoys other career highlights.

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“Seeing how nice and down-to-earth they can be” is always a joy, she says, adding, “The bigger the star, the more down-to-earth and kind they are.”

As for her “I made it” moment, Pecoraro says they happen all the time in her line of work: “I have been quite lucky throughout my career to have experienced some pretty amazing things.”

“For me, travelling for work is always a highlight and a real ‘pinch me’ moment, but also styling someone for a big red carpet moment like the Cannes Film Festival is always a highlight.”

As a huge promoter of investing in sustainable fashion, Pecoraro has collaborated with eBay, a major reselling brand.

According to an eBay report one in two (51 per cent) of those surveyed were interested in shopping secondhand.

More than four in five (84 per cent) Australians said they have bought or sold pre-loved goods in the last 12 months, as we all feel the pinch of the cost of living crisis.

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“On marketplaces like eBay, Australians can buy designer brands, including Aje, ANNA QUAN and Zimmermann, along with unique pieces that allow them to express their sense of style,” Pecoraro says.

“Investing in quality pieces that have the potential to be resold can be a smarter choice than buying new.

“For example, once you have worn an item, you can resell it on eBay and keep the cycle of sustainability going. It’s a very easy way to be sustainable with your fashion purchases.”

As Pecoraro looks to the future of styling and secondhand clothing in the fashion industry, she sees world moving to more sustainable options.

“Investing in high-quality pre-loved pieces is a great way to build the foundation of your wardrobe,” she says.

“There’s no doubt that the fast fashion industry is tempting with its affordable prices and on-trend pieces, but what I’m finding is that longevity and quality with an emphasis on sustainability is the direction the industry is heading towards.

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“There’s been a shift in mindset, where Aussies are recognising that shopping pre-loved is a great way to build the foundation of their wardrobe with quality pieces, all while getting great value.”

eBay is an original player in the game of shopping sustainability, and Pecoraro uses it herself.

“I recently used eBay to sell some pre-loved pieces that I had loved but was ready to let go of, and I highly encourage others to do the same,” she says.

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“You can use eBay to sell your pre-loved pieces that are in your wardrobe gathering dust. I know that not everyone has time to list their looks, but there are tools out there like eBay’s AI tool that can make the process quicker and easier, and for me, it’s worth it.”

Pecoraro loves self-expression, which is why she embraces most trends. However, there is one popular item she won’t be adding to her wardrobe anytime soon.

“Micro shorts. Love them, but not for me,” she said.

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