Anita Patrickson
Celebrity stylist Anita Patrickson was born in South Africa, educated in London, and now lives in Los Angeles, where she creates red-carpet looks for stars like Emma Watson. Anita recently launched AMANU, a line of made-to-measure sandals.
My first job was waitressing and what I learned from it was I am a horrible waitress! But I loved being part of the special moments in people’s lives—the birthdays, family get-togethers, anniversaries. That’s what has carried over for me into red carpet styling; I love being part of the meaningful moments.
One thing I wish I had known when I began my career is that my greatest asset was my own uniqueness. I spent a lot of time looking at different people’s work trying to figure out how to emulate it. The obvious answer is: You don’t. You get opportunities because you are bringing something totally new and exciting to the table that hasn’t been seen or done in the same way.
The books that have had the biggest impact on me are The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay and Webster’s Concise World Atlas. The Power of One is set during Apartheid and is about the life force that pushes us all to keep fighting. Growing up in the bushveld of South Africa, I would spend hours poring over the atlas. I am sure my love of travel was bubbling under the surface and this helped bring it out.
The woman who changed my life is my mother. She contracted polio in Kenya when she was 7 years old, and was subsequently paralyzed from the waist down. She is also the most happily married, hilarious, content, kind, moral yet fabulously naughty person I have ever met.
Launching a brand made me realize the depth of authenticity and belief you have to feel for your product in order to succeed. Launching something on a large scale with a high level of
success for the wrong reasons would be virtually impossible.
I tap into creativity and inspiration by being outside, traveling, and going home to my parents’ farm in Africa.
The thing I’ve achieved that I am most proud of is being a great daughter and partner. Also, the work I have done with two foundations in Kenya helping design bags and jewelry for local artisans has been incredible. Integrity is a path on which you will never get lost.
I like helping women look their best because when you feel good, you exude confidence and you can get s— done!
The biggest gamble I’ve ever taken is starting AMANU! We are five weeks in so I have no idea how it is going to pan out, but I have high hopes!
The one thing I would like to say to every woman in the world is you have no one to prove anything to. Be happy. Life goes by so fast. Don’t ever put your destiny in someone else’s hands.