A Cool Fashion Girl Shares Her Little Black Book
@Strawberry_Greene
London is the ultimate fashion capital. It’s one of the most multicultural, creative and open-minded cities in the world and, of course, the birthplace of punk. It’s a melting pot of cultures and creativity, which gives it a unique edge. The city has always been known for its cutting-edge fashion and is home to some of the most prominent designers and houses in the world. People here are unafraid to express their individuality – and it’s this sense of freedom and creativity that’s led to the development of a culture that unlike anything else in the world.
Chiltern Firehouse is where you’ll find me on a Friday night. It is the perfect city hotel; the rooms are beautiful, and I love The Shed, which is a guests-only bar. Head there for a seriously spicy margarita and fried chicken to start your weekend right. Then, spend Saturday looking around the shops on Chiltern Street.
If I could only shop on one street in London it would be Portobello Road. The mix of vintage, designer and independent shops means you can find anything you want all in one place. One of my favourites is Found And Vision – which is owned by the stylist Karen Clarkson; my most recent find was a pair of vintage Courrèges white trousers that fit like a glove.
For eating, you can’t beat Goldborne Road. Right at the top of Notting Hill, this road has gone from zero to 100 in the last few years and there is now so much to explore – from vintage antiques to the Le Labo store, as well as a raft of cool new restaurants like Strakers and The Counter. It is the perfect place to spend the weekend.
Koibird is the coolest boutique in the capital. The team have such a good eye and they stock lesser-known international brands as well as established ones, such as Coperni, Yume Yume and Bea Bongiasca. It’s on Marylebone Lane – a bit of a hidden spot in the city, which feels really calm and has some amazing restaurants too. You can shop all morning then head to Lina Stores.
The best vintage boutique is Mairead Lewin Vintage in Notting Hill. Mairead is a vintage legend and has been a source of inspiration for fashion houses such as Gucci and Tom Ford. She has dressed everyone from Kate Moss to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. The vibe there is the perfect mash-up of Fleetwood Mac meets Little House On The Prairie.
Maison Estelle is one of the most stylish places I’ve ever been. It sits in a huge Georgian Grade I listed townhouse on Grafton Street and is one of the most beautifully designed private members clubs I have visited. For a chilled evening, the rooftop there is the best. Enjoy the view while you drink rosé with friends.
Emily Yates
For date night, it has to be Bar Des Prés. Hailing from Paris, it’s a really romantic spot on Albemarle Street and it has such a cosy and intimate atmosphere. Plus, the playlists are dreamy, and it serves the most delicious vanilla Mille-Feuille, so it’s a no-brainer. Sit by the bar for the proper experience.
The Royal Academy Of Arts is my favourite gallery. Its Summer Show is on now and always includes such a range of talented artists – my favourite emerging portrait artist is Isaac Beningson.
Selfridges will always be my go-to department store. You can find everything from emerging brands to the latest off-the-runway pieces from all the key fashion houses. It also has one of the best beauty halls but if I get lost anywhere, it’s going to be in the food hall.
September is my favourite season in London. Everyone is back from holiday and excited for the new season. The city is still hanging onto that summer warmth, but a chill is also settling in, so it’s the time for jackets – the star of my wardrobe. Expect to see a lot of Saks Potts, vintage suede blazers and gilets this year! You also have Fashion Week in middle of the month, which gets everyone really excited for new and fresh ideas.
koibird; miu miu; @Strawberry_Greene
My favourite London Fashion Week moment was the Fiorucci reincarnation launch party. It was held at one of London’s oldest French restaurants, L’Escargot, to celebrate the comeback of the iconic fashion brand. Theo Adams was the event’s creative director and turned it into a madcap disco. It’s safe to say I think Fiorucci came back with a bang.
Outside of London, Maryam Nasser Zadeh’s secret boutique in Paris is worth the flight. She has such fun and unique pieces from all over the world. Plus, her own line epitomises her eclectic sense of style and relaxed approach to dressing.
Faena Bazaar in Miami Beach is a real treasure trove. It has the best in contemporary fashion, art and lifestyle brands, all spread over five stories opposite the Faena hotel. I could spend the whole day in the homeware department – which houses everything from rainbow resin cutlery to cool light installations and beautiful art by Purdey Fitzherbert and Maria Hatley.
Curio Miami Beach
@Strawberry_Greene
Beirut is the best city for under-the-radar fashion. I split my time between London and Beirut for four years, so I'm biased but there’s such a mix of Middle Eastern style and modern Western influences, so it’s really unique. There are also so many talented designers coming out of the region – Sandra Mansour, Naro Niro and Selim Mouzanner to name a few – all with their own Beirut-based ateliers.
That said, Milan is the best for people watching. Everyone there has such a unique sense of style, especially the men, and the women dress for themselves, not for trends. The mix of high-street and designer brands is also spot on. Some of my favourite Italian girls to follow are Veronica Varetta, Giorgina Clavarino and Georgia Tal.
This season, my go-to brand is Miu Miu. The collections are so playful but still wearable, and it’s not afraid to incorporate vintage details into modern silhouettes. I can't wait to wear one of the oversized jackets with a teeny-tiny miniskirt this autumn – plus, the leather totes are perfect if you have to carry a laptop around like me.
Aussie brand Palm. Noosa is my latest discovery. It does the most stunning summer dresses that make me feel like I'm in a F. Scott Fitzgerald book. All the prints are designed in-house, handmade with the finest fabrics and produced in family-run factories in India. My personal favourite from the Province collection is the Leon dress, which is made from scalloped linen. I love the classic white.
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