Since Friday the 6th till Sunday the 8th of November, Patta is hosting a pop-up shop for the Napa by Martine Rose AW ‘20 collection at our Zeedijk 61 location in Amsterdam.
Agnes along with two other stylists, worked together with photographer Piet Oosterbeek on the Napa by Martine Rose AW '20 editorial shoot. Which is why we wanted to make sure our reader could get to know her better. We talked about her creative process, her career path as a stylist as well as her non-styling related jobs. Read on, get familiar.
Agnes, as a quick introduction to our readers: Who are you and how would you describe your art?Hi, the name is Agnes Montecinos Muñoz. A long name that I take great pride in. Agnes was given to me by my Curaçao mom, it was her mom’s first name. And Montecinos Muñoz by my Chilean dad, it was both my grandparents last names.
I would describe my art as I would describe myself: dynamic, playful, open and without limitations nor boundaries.
How did your relationship with fashion/styling begin?I would not even call it a relationship with fashion, because I don’t really like what fashion is. For me it’s a sense of style that I feel blessed to have. I noticed I got that since the moment I was allowed to dress myself (elementary school).
I always went HAM on experimenting with colours, loved layering with a lot of pieces and wearing items totally out of context. I do that for as long I can remember. I love to believe: When you don’t have a lot, you create even better.
Later on in life I just surrounded myself with creatives, which allowed me to look further than where I came from (Rotterdam Zuid). It just expands your horizon, knowing that you can be free in who you are and grow in that. That’s key.
My first styling job was a recommendation from a dear friend of mine,
Marlou Fernanda. It was an assisting gig was for a Nike shoot. Also the first and last time I assisted haha.
How would you describe your aesthetic?When you look at my work you will see the reflection of female energy, my aesthetic is a reflection of what feminine power looks like.
Although I also like working with men, I’ll bring the feminine sauce in it. You can be present as a man but still embrace softer sides of yourself. Perfect example is
Gogo Lupin. He’s definitely my male muse. Another male muse of mine is Tupac. I really appreciate it when men are able to open up in mind and spirit. And me myself love seeing that side back in the clothing.
Next to that I only have female muses haha, one of them is myself.
What do you think makes a good stylist?Ask good questions and listen carefully to the response. Being a good stylist isn’t about being selfish in what you want. It’s about providing a service for others. And that comes together in what you can offer them: your creativity.
What was your last steady job?I worked as a museum educator for kids. Working with the kids is fun, but I think the concept of museums have become real stuffy. I think they need to fire a lot of people in order to create space for people who can really make change from within.
When you’re preparing for a shoot, where does your creative process begin? It begins with research. Research into different cultures, in the character of the brand or person.
I don’t like being misinformed and slipping in my work. So I really try to educate myself (way) before I start my creative process.
Can you describe the creative process for the NAPA by Martine Rose shoot?Well at first I called Violette Esmeralda (head of Patta’s photography department) and I was like how crazy can I go? She said: We want You to do You, the crazier the better. So I was like: Say less.
While talking to her on the phone I took a look at the pieces she sent me of the Napa by Martine Rose collection, already looking at the possibilities on how I could make it into a dope structure that you can see what it is, but still have to search on how it’s been done. I like to create a bit of a shock effect in people’s minds, something they won’t easily forget. I also think that’s what sells.
At the fitting it really comes together, I create best by doing it. So first I visualize, then I do.
The look was almost set. But for the shoes I went back to my hometown, Rotterdam. There’s a store at the Kareldoormanstraat that’s called Silhouette.
The have the best silhouette shoes there. I like to support my (original) locals. So I will always go back to where I come from.
And there I obviously found the finishing touch roughness I was looking for to kill the look.
What is your favourite part about this line of work? Your least favourite? Why? If you weren’t doing styling, what would you be doing with your life?My favourite part is that it makes me feel alive, present, and fulfilled because I can express big parts of myself in my work. And reflect it back to the world.
I’m someone that has a lot (of love) to give, and I like it when something I that I give or am is being received in a positive way.
Least favourite part is the industry itself I think. But there are always ways to do it with your own people. I pray daily to The Most High for wisdom, guidance and the right people to cross my life. And that’s been going pretty terrific sofar.
I do this, because I know I’ve had some bad experiences that I’m really aware of now. You’re exchanging a lot of yourself and you should do that with the right people.
If I wouldn’t be doing styling I’d be curating art spaces (might still do that), work with drug addicted & homeless people, or give sexual education to kids on schools (might actually still do that too).
