No.8
I would like to introduce you to man-about-town, fashion photographer and all round lovely fello – Alistair Guy. Alistair has worked…well at pretty much every cool magazine and website out there, including Vogue, Style.com, Wonderland, Random, Elle.com and Dazed Digital. In this photo the dapper chap is wearing Mr. Start tailoring, available at the Start Boutique.
(Photograph by Anne Bernecker)
How would you describe your style?
Smart with a twist.
What does a normal working day for you consist of?
Emails and organising in the morning, meetings or shoots in the afternoons and chilling at home or a fashion event or two in the evening, depending on which day it is.
What fashion blogsbs would you recommend?
Well I work with Wonderland Magazine’s website, Vogue.com and Style.com so it would have to be them.
Fashion tip for the season?
Mr. Start tailoring.
Who would play you in a movie?
A young Edward Fox.
What’s your party trick?
I don’t have one!
Who/What has been your greatest influence?
Irving Penn, Arnold Newman, Jeanloup Sieff and Stephen Ellison (People U.S. Magazine) who I used to assist many years ago.
If you owned a boutique, what would it be called?
‘The Dark Room’.
What would it stock?
Black and white photographs and serve great tea 24/7.
Who’s your favourite designer and what do you love about them?
Dries Van Noten, timeless, simple designs that always seem to fit me so well.
Film or Digital?
I love both but I never get the budget to shoot on film so now-a-days you need to shoot hi-res digital.
If you could have any accent other than your own, what would it be?
I love all accents and love to work them out when people talk to me so that’s a hard one but I had to chose it would French Brazilian.
Favourite quote:
‘A man should look as if he had bought his clothes with intelligence, put them on with care then forgotten all about them.’ Hardy Amies
In a nutshell your philosophy is:
Do what you want to do and stick with it.
No. 7
In 2007 Laetitia created what is now one of the UK’s most influential blogs – Mademoiselle Robot –
With the ever growing expansion of the Mademoiselle empire (launch of Mademoiselle Style) Laetitia is far from the normal hidden blogger. She has been featued in every publication under the sun including: Company, Telegraph, Grazia, Times, Independent, Drapers as well as making TV appearence on the BBC and T4’s Frock Me.
How would you describe your style?
I generally describe my style as Modern vintage and preppy with a hint of stupid.
What does a normal working day for you consist of?
I wake up at 7.30, read my emails in bed while having a cup of tea, then I shower and get ready and start writing my post of the day.
I follow up with some more emailing and do the work I have to do for my clients (I do Social Media Consulting and Style Consulting).
That’s for a regular day. Of course it gets a bit less routine-y when Fashion Week or Press Day season is in full swing!
What other fashion blogs would you recommend?
I like Susie Bubble, July Stars, Calivintage, Liebe Marlene and The Clothes Horse.
These are the main Fashion blogs I read daily.
Do you like people not really knowing who you are?
I think people know who I am, I even get recognized in the street. I am not an anonymous blogger.
I share quite a lot about who I am on my site, but I try to keep my private life private.
Fashion tip for the season?
Go wild for pastels and nude because they are not going anywhere and you will be able to recycle them for Autumn Winter.
I know I am stocking up on them.
Who would play you in a movie?
Oh wow. Erm… I would love it if Liv Tyler or Sherilyn Fenn could play me! Or maybe Maggie Gyllenhall…. Or Parker Posey!
There are too many actresses I love!
What’s your party trick?
Dirty jokes.
Who/What has been your greatest fashion influence?
My grandma was super stylish and I am always really influences by what she wears in the various photos I have of her.
I am also influenced by John Waters aesthetics and vintage funfair type stuff. It doesn’t necessarily show in my everyday outfits, but that’s what motivates me.
If you owned a boutique, what would it be called?
Mademoiselle Robot! I like to keep things consistent.
What would it stock?
Vintage clothes and furniture, art books, a little coffee shop, stuff from my favourite designers…
Who’s your favourite designer and what do you love about them?
I love Luella’s take on British classics, I like how she puts her own spin on things. Of course, I am very sad that the brand no longer exists, but I am sure Ms Bartley’s talent will exist somewhere else soon…
To clog or not to clog?
To clog, but in a subtle way… I have been partial to the Swedish Hasbeens for a while.
If you could have any accent other than your own, what would it be?
My accent is a mix of French and English and I quite like it, but I suppose I could do with a full-on British accent.
Favourite quote:
“There is a special place in Hell for women who don’t help other women” Madeleine Albright
In a nutshell your philosophy is:
Always do what you like.
No.6
With an impressive CV boasting music names like Blur and Mary J Blige, Alani Gibbon has taken a side step into fashion as the designer of new womenswear brand Inala London.
How would you describe your style?
I’m a comfort freak. I love cashmere in the winter and linen in the summer.
I live in beat up Converse and holey Agnes b leather boots. I do have a few pairs of Jimmy Choo’s, but it has to be a very worthy occasion. I’m always out for a bargain. Second-hand shopping at Traid is great, especially during their £1 sales. I love coordinating colours, different tones and textures. I’m addicted to grey at the moment.
I always pre-plan my outfit, sometimes days before, due to suffering from OCD.
What does a normal working day for you consist of?
Up at 6am. I always start the day with a large mug of herbal tea. That is the only constant in my life. Everyday is so different. Right now I’m putting together my first collection of multi-functional clothing in time for September. I’m producing an album. My first! I also dance for a band called ”The Very Best”. Keeps me fit. Better than running on a boring treadmill and I get to travel around the world and hang out with friends. I feel I have a good balance of hard focused work and fun creative indulgence. I’d go mad otherwise.
Fashion tip for the season?
Stripes baby!!! I love stripes, so its seasonless for me.
To clog or not to clog?
I had my first pair of clogs when I was 11 years old. I bought them from Ravels for £20. I wore them to school and got laughed at, so…NO. Been there, done that.
If you weren’t a fashion designer – what would you be?
I’ve only just come to terms with referring to myself as a fashion designer, so it’s more a case of, if you weren’t a musician, what would you be.
Who would play you in a movie?
Whoopie Goldberg.
What’s your party trick?
I do a great Donald Duck impression
Who/What has been your greatest fashion influence?
Issey Miyaki has always caught my attention, but my greatest fashion influence has been my Mum. She has worked as a couture cutter for all of my life. I was going to London Fashion Week when I was 10 years old. Working for designers such as Bruce Oldfield, Tomase Starwezski, Amanda Wakeley and Clements Riberio, she has always passed her knowledge on to me. She was always bringing home beautiful scrapes of fabric that she’d been working with, for me to make Barbie clothes out of.
If you owned a boutique, what would it be called?
Larde Darde. It’s one of my nicknames.
What would it stock?
Everything! Clothes, books, artwork, cafe. It would have a hub feel to it. I don’t want to give away too much, because it is a dream of mine, that I am willing to come true. I don’t like to speak of things until they are tangible.
Who’s your favourite designer and what do you love about them?
Generally speaking, I don’t do favourites. There is too much choice in the world. I take a bit of everything I see and try my best to mix it all together and create something a bit unique. I love the lines of traditional Japanese clothing, a finely cut Italian suit and the ”braveness to be different” of someone like Vivienne Westwood. She gives fashion a language. Oh, but Norma Kamali is doing it for me at the moment. Her clothes just ooze sexiness. Ghost is also great for classic comfort. I wear a lot of Ghost in the Summer.
If you could have any accent other than your own, what would it be?
I’m always doing accents. My favourites are South African, Southern and Liverpudlian. Im working on my Scottish at the moment. I’d love to have a really thick Glaswegian accent.
Favourite quote:
“It is only by not paying one’s bills that one can hope to live in the memory of the commercial classes”
-Oscar Wilde-
In a nutshell your philosophy is:
Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
Check out how to wear Inala’s new multifunctional dress – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIksigbrWkw
No.5
Jessica Hellin is the working force behind style blog Fashion Unfolded. One of my current fav’s Fashion Unfolded keeps up-to-date on litrally everything fashion related. She must be a busy busy girl.
How would you describe your style?
Simple with some element of chaos thrown in. I am a nightmare to shop with as I am so specific about fabric, cut and colour although I do love a rummage in my local vintage stores where I always pick up hoards of items.
What does a normal working day for you consist of?
Slightly manic and totally unglamorous. I have just started making smoothies to wean myself off of the usual morning coffee. I don’t spend hours getting ready as I am usually rushing out of the door to attend a meeting or press event. If I am working from home I am usually glued to the laptop and then head for a run mid day.
What other fashion blogs would you recommend?
There are so many great blogs out there Jak and Jil the Satorialist, luxirare, FTAPE, Trendstop the list is endless.
Do you like people not really knowing who you are?
I don’t think people care, I certainly don’t mind. I used to keep so many tear sheets and paperwork from shows and events so blogging is just a way of keeping everything in one place for my own sanity and my boyfriends who no longer has to put up with paperwork around the house.
Fashion tip for the season?
This is going to sound so boring but I would just say invest in things you really love, that you won’t just wear one season. I have always felt it best to have little clothing of great quality other than hundreds of items you push to one side after wearing once or twice. I don’t buy into trends as I know what suits me and what looks ridiculous although my wardrobe is small I have some great pieces such as a vintage Lagerfeld boyfriend jacket and Vivienne Westwood maxi dress. You can never go wrong with a great pair of trousers so these are defiantly worth investment.
Who would play you in a movie?
This is difficult. Ummmmm, well I have been told a few times that I look like Chloe Sevigny so I guess I would say her.
Whats your party trick?
I feel really disappointed that I don’t actually have on I wanted to say something really spectacular but keep thinking of really random things that may just make me sound strange.
Who/What has been your greatest fashion influence?
I can remember when I was younger, I lived in a very sleepy town and I would have to ask my parents to drive me 30mins to the nearest shop that stocked ‘the Face’ magazine That was when I first discovered my love for fashion and the arts. There are so many inspiring things around us from the smallest details in nature through to the way someone is wearing an item of clothing. I am lucky enough to live in a hugely inspiring area where I am influenced as soon as I walk out of the door.
If you owned a boutique, what would it be called?
Oooo tricky! Something French, I always think French words sound so beautiful, although I have no idea which word I would use!
What would it stock?
I love to travel and always find interesting textiles and clothing that I would love to take back with me although have no room for. My shop would stock beautiful hand crafted products from all over the world.
Who’s your favourite designer and what do you love about them?
This is a tricky one as I have so many. I love some of the talent that has come out of Antwerp, Martin Margiela and Ann Demeulemeester for example. Also Paul Poiret who was hugely influential……… Rei Kawakubo, the list is endless. There are so many great designers out there that I discover every day.
To clog or not to clog?
Defiantly ‘to clog’ if the words Miu Miu are involved. I actually owned my first pair of clogs when I was 7 which I wore to my first school party although they were a size too big. I can remember begging my mother to wear them she finally agreed for me to later return with grazed legs after falling flat on my face.
If you could have any accent other than your own, what would it be?
I actually think about this a lot due to me being from a place with an accent. I have been in London for over 7 years now although still have a country twang. I have a friend from Ohio and adore her accent, otherwise something glamorous sounding like Italian.
Favourite quote:
The majority of things that come from the mouth of Karl Lagerfeld, I just adore him. I’m not sure if this is a quote although I remember him once saying something along the lines of
“My favorite kitchen was the Japanese and the Italian kitchen”
In a nutshell your philosophy is:
Live life to the full and never look back. I think that over the years I have learnt if you work hard enough good things will always happen and if it is not meant to be it just wont happen.
No.4
Julia Grinham (right) is half of the sister-act behind website-of-the-moment www.upperstreet.com. Watch this space, this brand is going from strength to strength.
How would you describe your style?
I like to look relaxed and confident, so look for things that compliment my body shape and don’t stop me from being able to breath or walk properly! I guess I like to look pretty smart and together, but with an individual touch. Jeans, heels, a pretty top, maybe a jacket. A sexy frock for a night out. These days I probably dress around the shoes so that I can show them off, more than the other way round!
What does a normal working day for you consist of?
I can’t help checking email over breakfast, which is pretty tragic really, but my sister and business partner Katy is based in Hong Kong so she always sends me a ream of stuff overnight that I need to look at. After dropping off the ankle biters at school, I’ll spend a good hour sorting through email and organizing my ToDo list so that I know what I’m focusing on that day. Top of that list is looking after our customers, making sure that we’re dealing with orders and customer enquiries, and understanding what our customers are looking for. Marketing is a massive priority right now, so I might be putting the finishing touches to a newsletter, organizing Shoe Parties or keeping our Facebook and Twitter fans up to speed. I also spend a good few hours working on strategic projects, looking at how we can develop our product range and the website. Plus there’ll often be meeting with a supplier, business partner or networking contact. Actually, how does all that fit into one day, I’ve no idea?! I’ll down tools mid-afternoon to pick the little ones up and spend some time with them, then more often than not I’ll spend another couple of hours early evening on email.
What other fashion websites would you recommend?
Loving the new Selfridges online store, but need to stop looking at it as I could get carried away! StyleShake is pretty cool too if you want to design your own dress – I’ve had two from them so far, so lovely to have something unique that no-one else is wearing.
Fashion tip for the season?
On the shoes front, I’m really loving the mid-heel peep toe for the hotter weather, might design myself a yellow and black pair in a d’orsay cut. And of course Neutrals are so big for SS10; I personally think a platform gladiator or peep toe look great in camel shades, and they just go with absolutely everything.
Who would play you in a movie?
I think maybe Renee Zellweger, in Bridget Jones mode (not annoying American very very thin mode). Half the time I’m convinced that my skirt is tucked into my pants too.
What’s your party trick?
Don’t let me anywhere near the karaoke, you won’t get me off it. I used to be a part-time wedding singer (had to give it up last summer as too much on my plate)!
Who/What has been your greatest fashion influence?
No one thing or person, I like to absorb everything I see my friends, people on the street and models in magazines wearing, then spin it into my own style.
If you owned a boutique, what would it be called?
Lucky for me, I do own one! www.upperstreet.com. Upper Street is the made-to-order luxury shoe label where you can create your very own pair of unique designer shoes, and have them delivered right to your door. The name comes from my nearest shopping mecca Upper Street in Islington, where I’m often seen spending all my hard earned cash!
What would it stock?
Upper Street doesn’t stock anything, because every shoe is made to order to your personal specification. We do have lots of ideas to inspire people in our Gallery though http://www.upperstreet.com/inspiration.php, so I guess the answer to that is ‘beautiful shoes’!
Who’s your favourite designer and what do you love about them?
I love Vivienne Westwood. She’s just so very British – daring, quirky, but also absolutely knows how to flatter a real woman’s body. I wanted to call our daughter Vivienne, but my husband wasn’t having it unfortunately. I think shortened to Vivi is so cool. Maybe if I have another baby one day I can twist his arm…!
To clog or not to clog?
I can’t stand the things. So ugly and heavy. Sorry, no way.
Kitten or no kitten heel?
Reminds me too much of the 80’s I’m afraid, and think it just looks too conservative and safe. I’d much rather go completely flat, or get those high heels out. Give me 6 months and I might come round to them though….
If you could have any accent other than your own, what would it be?
French. So goddam sexy.
Favourite quote:
“These shoes rule! These shoes suck! Oh my god, shoes” Kelly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCF3ywukQYA (I apologize in advance for the filthy language on this video – watch it at your peril)
In a nutshell your philosophy is:
“Let’s just get on with it!”
No.3
Fasion Junior At Large, Esme Benjamin has gone out on her own now with a blog tipped for the top – Salute to Style. (http://salutetostyle.com/) Having contributed to to Grazia, Fashion156.com and The Telegraph magazine to name a few -Esme is well on her way to fashion stardom.
How would you describe your style?
No.2
Emily Johnston is a twenty-something American who’s called London home for nearly a decade
now. She founded and runs Fashion Foie Gras in London where the latest and greatest in fashion news is published 24/7.
How would you describe your style?
I am pretty classic with a mix of seasonal trends. I love embracing new movements in fashion but I always come back to the classics. Being 6’1 (and 6’5 in heels) it has taken me a long time to figure out what
works and now I definitely work it.
What does a normal working day for you consist of?
Don’t tell anyone but I actually do have a day job! haha. No one ever believes me when I tell them that as a lot of people think that all I do is blog all day. I get up at 6am and check out all the news sources for any fashion tidbits and check emails for releases and I blog for about two hours before heading into work. I’m in the office acting as a PR guru from 9am until 6 or 7pm, hit the gym until about 8:30pm and then I’m home to punch the keys again with blogging (or I’m out at a function and then home to blog). I have made a promise to myself that I will sleep before 1am but I have to finish all my ideas for blogging before sleep will come! I actually have a whiteboard that I have to have cleared before I’ll even look at a pillow!
What other fashion blogs would you recommend?
There are so many. I reader about 200 on a daily basis. I just love the way in which everyone interprets fashion. If I had to name my top
five they would be (in no particular order):
1. Fashion Editor at Large http://fashioneditoratlarge.blogspot.com
2. Red Carpet Fashion Awards http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com
3. Sea of Shoes http://seaofshoes.typepad.com
4. Fashion Gone Rogue www.fashiongonerogue.com
5. The Blonde Salad http://www.theblondesalad.com
Fashion tip for the season?
White, white and more white! Load up on white jeans, white sundresses, white cutoffs, white crisp shirts. Everything goes with white! You can
accessorise it to death and still look fresh.
Who would play you in a movie?
Julia Roberts. She’s feisty and fearless and I can only hope to look that good at her age. Plus, we are both tall, have heavy brunette locks and big white American smiles.
What’s your party trick?
Oh man, I guess I’m boring here. I can shoot a made tequila! Does that count?
Who/What has been your greatest fashion influence?
Greatest fashion influence was my mother. She has amazing style and I can remember sitting in her closet surrounded by all of her clothes
and accessories and promising myself that I too one day would have an entire closet devoted to shoes and handbags. I’m not there yet…but
there’s still plenty of time. (for the time being my whole front room is my closet instead).
If you owned a boutique, what would it be called?
I’d stick with the name Fashion Foie Gras. I might get PETA outside banging down the door but I just love the name.
What would it stock?
Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Prada, Vuitton, Rick Owens….I could go on for ages. But they would be from season’s past. I am still in love
with some pieces from runways of old that I can’t find anywhere but the styles will always bang on trend.
Who’s your favourite designer and what do you love about them?
No question, it’s Ralph Lauren. It’s the all American prep look with that extra special ounce of sophistication. You can’t beat it.
To clog or not to clog?
I’m an anti-cloggette. I have a pair that I bought for the season thinking I could channel a Chanel or Vuitton model but I can’t get
over the sound they make. I think women sound like horses in clogs! That just isn’t sexy at all!
If you could have any accent other than your own, what would it be?
I’m sticking with my Southern Deb American accent.
Favourite quote:
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
In a nutshell your philosophy is:
The only thing that ever holds any of us back is fear. If you can accept the worst possible thing that will ever happen to you in any situation then you become free of fear and that is a very powerful thing. My dad taught me that fear is our greatest enemy…a great lesson to learn early in life.
No.1
Emma Hart is the Pushprmummy. I chose her to be our first interview because…well it’s only right really (and she’s quite funny). The picture is Emma with her style icon Scarlett.
How would you describe your style?
I love vintage, especially 50’s and 60’s. I love the Mrs Robinson look in The Graduate and also 40’s and 50’s pin ups. So, that’s what I like and my style is a toned down version of that! (although the pin up bit is wishful thinking)
What does a normal working day for you consist of?
Often a team meeting with everyone at Push PR, involving what we need to do for our clients and which press to target. Any relevant events and launches happening etc. I then try and catch up with press over a lunch meeting, discuss feature ideas, promote clients we have, show samples etc and suggest ideas for trends and stories. Often I am also working on new business so preparing proposals etc and keeping up to date with blogs, twitter, facebook and online. It’s also hugely important to keep up to date with all the magazines, newspapers and media so this is usually done in the evenings over a glass of wine or two once the children are in bed!
What other fashion blogs would you recommend?
There are so many but these are great staples.
Do you like people not really knowing who you are?
Of course, being anonymous is what I originally loved when I moved to London and I still love it now.
Fashion tip for the season?
Go get yourself a bit of Christopher Kane inspired gingham, team with high waist shorts and fabulous simple plimsolls (Victoria Plimsolls best of course!) Then off to ‘It’s Something Hells’ in Soho for a 40’s inspired hair set. Loving the 40’s at the moment – truly glamorous and feminine.
Who would play you in a movie?
Punching above my weight of course it would be a combination of Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren…..oh and Jean Seberg in a boute de Souffe (I loved her in that film) Why not, you did ask!
What’s your party trick?
I can make my tongue into a three leaf clover. It’s a phenomenon that was featured on ‘That’s Life’ with Esther Ranzen in the 80’s. Quite rare apparently!
Who/What has been your greatest fashion influence?
Music, books and films. I love music and the music scenes. I have been especially inspired by and northern soul and rockabilly. Films would have to be 60’s kitchen sink dramas such as Taste of Honey and a boute de souffe just to name a few – completely contrasting but equally fabulous.
If you owned a boutique, what would it be called?
Candy Talking
What would it stock?
Everything I loved and wanted to own myself; clothing, music, art, books, flowers, shoes, scarves, interiors and coats – LOTS of coats, I have a thing for coats.
Who’s your favourite designer and what do you love about them?
Oooh, it’s a tricky one as it changes every hour but for true classic style I always go back to Chanel and Lanvin with a bit of Moschino thrown in for good measure……
To clog or not to clog?
Not to clog for me I’m afraid, can’t do trends – I look too slavish in them.
If you could have any accent other than your own, what would it be?
French – every time, isn’t that what everyone would have???
Favourite quote:
‘The pain was enough to make a shy bald buddhist reflect and plan a mass murder’
In a nutshell your philosophy is:
‘Eat, drink and be merry’ Simple, yet effective
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