Celeb stylist Robert Agius reveals what it’s like to style Malta's queen of pop Ira Losco
Celebrity life is glamorous - we look at celebs we like and stand in awe of their beauty, at times seeming perfection. And while their luxurious lives are down to their own hard work, red carpet looks and their overall fashion choices are often nudged in the right direction by a pair (or pairs) of capable hands behind the scenes. And when it comes to our very own superstar Ira Losco, its stylist Robert Agius that's got the latest.
Robert Agius is an established hair stylist, with an eye for fun and creative ways of giving a head of locks that added oomph. His magnetism toward the fashion industry is embedded in his DNA, where experimentation on his friends’ hairstyles lead him to realise his talents in the field. “I soon realised that one day, I would be working in the fashion industry. To further pursue this career I enrolled in a hairdressing course at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST).”
Living a life of passion is so much more rewarding. It’s part of your identity, this certainly applies for Rob: “Fashion has always been a part of who I am, I like to stand out from the crowd and express myself through my style.” And sometimes, certain things happen in life to give you that super boost you’ve been dreaming of, kind of like your big break… “I’ve always been tempted to start fashion styling, however I kick started my career about a year ago, when I got the opportunity to be Ira Losco’s personal stylist.”
Styling someone like Ira Losco is a huge honour, and getting to do it as a supporter of her work makes the job so much better. “I was always a huge fan of Ira’s music, but I got to know her personally through her younger sister Jacqui, who is a close friend of mine.” But of course, with great power comes great responsibility: “one of the major challenges I come across when styling someone as influential in Malta is the lack of variety of clothing and accessories, as I always want to incorporate new trends and finding the most flattering clothing.”
It’s also super important to make sure your client looks good at all times! Not only is it a reflection of Rob’s professional choices but it’s also part of the celeb’s identity; one that in itself carries likes and dislikes. Rob shares one of Ira’s pet peeves, a fashion statement he’d never ask her to try out: “one thing that Ira absolutely hates is kitten heels, and so that is a definite no-go! I think it is important that she feels confident, so you’ll never see her strutting her stuff in them.”
Coming to style someone so iconic must come with its ups and downs, but Rob ensures that the bond between the two is strong: “Ira and I have a very close relationship and I enjoy working with her, I like the freedom that I have when styling her as I can explore creativity when choosing outfits. We work very well together and she trusts my opinion blindly. We always agree on the looks I come up with.”
2019 gives this Lady Gaga-inspired stylist a lot to look forward to. Apart from styling Ira for the XFactor Live shows, he will also be taking care of the superstar’s music video looks. Styling for Maxine Pace, talented local music artist, is also on Rob’s agenda, and he reveals that her music videos will feature some of the market’s latest trends.