Karen’s earliest passions were for dance and art. At Deakin University (Rusden), she completed a Bachelor of Secondary Teaching in 1991 majoring in Dance and English, with an emphasis on costume and set design. A pull toward the visual creativity offered in styling eventually led her away from teaching, with 1995 spent working on the Myer Christmas window display. The following year saw the commencement of photographic styling work that took her from Melbourne to Sydney – and further abroad to the UK, New Zealand and Indonesia.

Her specific experiences as a stylist have been broad-ranging: from prop-making and garment construction, to pattern drafting and photographic shoots involving fashion, home wares and food. Karen has also worked on a number of film shoots in the Wardrobe and Art Departments. With an eye for the obscure, if she can’t find a specific object, she’ll make it!