The coastal town of Rapallo, in Italy’s Liguria region, will host The Stylist Retreat, a specialised gathering designed for stylists and professionals within the luxury sector that seeks to integrate professional development, wellbeing and entrepreneurial growth. The event will take place from 29 April to 3 May 2026 at Villa Porto Rapallo, a restored Belle Époque residence overlooking the Ligurian coast that combines historic architecture, contemporary hospitality and a privileged natural setting.
The retreat has been conceived as a five-day immersive experience offering styling professionals an opportunity to step away from the fast pace of the industry and reconnect with learning, creativity and personal balance. According to the founder of The Stylist Retreat, Isobel Kershaw, the programme aims to create a space where fashion, wellbeing and entrepreneurship can come together in a more intimate and reflective format.
The initiative has been created and developed by British executive luxury stylist and fashion educator, Isobel Kershaw, recognised for her extensive career in the luxury sector and for her work mentoring personal stylists internationally. With more than three decades of experience in fashion, retail and entrepreneurship — including director roles within prestigious stores such as Harrods — Kershaw has built a reputation for coaching stylists in developing sustainable and successful businesses in a highly competitive industry.
Over the course of five days, participants will attend a series of masterclasses, mentoring sessions and cultural experiences designed to explore the different dimensions of the styling profession. Among the guest experts is corporate image specialist Amy Youssef, who will lead a session on positioning styling services within the corporate and executive sector — an increasingly important market within the personal image industry.
The programme will also feature financial strategist Craig Feldmeier, who will present the session Runway to Riches: Building Wealth as an Entrepreneur, focusing on strategies to help creative professionals develop sustainable income streams and long-term financial stability.
The retreat’s wellbeing dimension will be led by naturopathic nutritionist Lisa Pelloso, founder of Villa Porto Rapallo, who will host sessions exploring the connection between nutrition, energy and professional performance. Pelloso has also curated the retreat’s culinary programme, inspired by seasonal ingredients and the principles of the Mediterranean diet.
“Nutrition is one of the most powerful tools for sustaining creativity, energy and emotional balance in demanding professions such as fashion,” Pelloso explains. “Our aim is to demonstrate how small changes in everyday habits can have a meaningful impact on vitality and mental clarity.”
The culinary programme will include practical healthy-cooking workshops as well as sessions led by chef Chiara Lattuada, trained in Michelin-starred kitchens, who will guide participants through recipes designed to support wellbeing and mindful eating.
“We want every dish to reflect the philosophy of the retreat: local ingredients, conscious cooking and flavours that nourish both body and mind,” Pelloso adds.
Beyond the educational programme, The Stylist Retreat incorporates a series of experiences designed to connect guests with the cultural atmosphere of the Italian Riviera. Highlights include a boat excursion to Portofino, a private presentation by Dolce & Gabbana, an evening aperitif walk to the Portofino lighthouse and a dinner inspired by the tradition of la dolce vita in the village square.
Participants will also have the opportunity to take part in a professional brand photoshoot, designed to help stylists develop high-quality visual content for their professional portfolios and digital platforms, alongside guidance on creating effective social media content.
Each day will begin with wellbeing rituals, including morning yoga sessions intended to restore balance, improve focus and reduce stress. Guests will also have access to optional restorative treatments such as massages and facial therapies designed to support physical and mental renewal.
The retreat will conclude with an elegant gala dinner accompanied by a guided fine-dining etiquette experience, where participants will learn the social and cultural nuances associated with dining within luxury and professional environments.
The event will take place at Villa Porto Rapallo, a historic property located just steps from the sea that has recently been restored as a boutique hospitality residence. The villa features 13 bedrooms with private en-suite bathrooms and terraces or balconies, alongside shared living spaces designed for professional exchange and creative connection.
With a deliberately limited number of places, the retreat is designed to encourage meaningful networking, personal interaction with the experts and an environment conducive to both professional development and personal reflection.
By combining specialist education, cultural experiences and wellbeing within the distinctive setting of the Italian Riviera, The Stylist Retreat aims to establish itself as a new international meeting point for stylists seeking to expand their creative perspective, strengthen their business and reconnect with their professional purpose.
