Besides fashion- well, let's put it as style as fashion is ephemeral, I enjoy reading up on politics and international affairs, architectural magazines and exhibitions. And, lastly, I am more of a Financial Times and Economist fan than a fashion magazine one!
Here is more about me...
Q: Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
A: I spent my childhood in Hong Kong, went to boarding school in southern England and in the Midlands, then moved on to London for university. I would say London is influenced me the most in terms of my more daring style. Now I live and work in Zurich in beautiful Switzerland. Though in Hong Kong, you do find adventurous and style-conscious men and women who are equally daring in their styles and who are more concerned with clothes that create an interesting silhouette. I would even say that daring fashion in Asia tends to veer towards androgyny, for women at least.
Q: What have you studied, and what are you doing now?
A: I studied French and Hispanic Studies BA at university and I work in the financial sector, in Reinsurance now. Nothing to do with fashion!
Q: How would you describe your personal style in 3-5 words?
A: Minimal, fairly colourful, clean lines.
Q: Where do you shop? Luxury or high street? New or vintage? Boutiques? Online?
A: Some luxury items mixed with mid-range high street brands such as Whistles, COS and Jaeger. Equally I browse online on &OtherStories as I find their "Stories" format interesting and easy to view. The online fashion website I view on the most has to be of COS'! Personally, I am not a big vintage or 'thrifting' fan, although I do own two items in my closet (a brown snakeskin clutch and a short-length fur coat) which are from vintage shops and markets.
Q: If you had $300 for a shopping spree, how many items would you buy?
A: I would try to buy one classic item that I could revisit for years to come. I wish Celine came with a USD300 price tag!
Q: Do you prefer street style fashion or runway fashion?
A: Street style for me can be too much of an ostentatious show for photographers and bloggers alike. Runway is mostly fantasy, although most Pret-a-Porter shows have incredible looks that one can easily apply to daily life!
Q: What 3 items must a woman have in her wardrobe?
A: A 'le smoking', fitted pair of cigarette trousers, a white shirt which says 'WOW!' Basically your sophisticated evening outfit!
Q: When and how did you become interested in fashion?
A: My mother's interest in minimalist styles has influenced me the most in what I look for in clothing in terms of clean lines/more extravagant silhouettes. Visiting shops such as Comme des Garcons, Yoji Yammamoto and Lane Crawford in my childhood and hearing her opinions was always an experience! In terms of online fashion experience... I suppose The Sartorialist gave me my first inspiration, though again to my mother's credit, this was her suggestion to visit this (burgeoning) blog back in 2007. Scott Schuman's photographs of well-dressed and well-coiffed middle-aged Milanese men always impress me!
Q: Where do you find your fashion inspiration?
A: My mother has given me my style foundation and till this day she dresses with panache and elegance and offers me good styling advice. She is a true believer of "less is more". Equally, flicking through magazines with their editorials and brands' campaigns/'lookbook' looks give me inspiration aplenty.
Q: Who is your favorite style icon(s)?
A: Any woman who dresses true to herself and exudes confidence (not peacockery) i.e Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly (because I do love a 50s sihlouette) and fashion designers themselves, such as Stella McCartney, Carolina Herrera and Phoebe Philo.
Q: What are your favorite fashion blogs? Magazines?
A: For fashion blogs: Sassique(!), The Sartorialist, Style du Monde, Street Peeper, Garance Dore
For magazines: UK Vogue, Porter Magazine, Grazia UK and Harper's Bazaar
Q: What do you love about fashion? Not love?
A: I do not love how fashion can be so fickle.
Q: Who are your favorite designers?
A: This is an easy one- Celine, Chloe, Jil Sander, JW Anderson, Ellery, Carven, Saint Laurent (for their "le smokings!"), Narciso Rodriguez, Neil Barrett, Helmut Lang and COS
Q: Do you follow fashion trends? Which ones?
A: I do not follow fashion trends. Classics are classics and will never look old or too 'put-together' or contrived.
Q: Do you have any fashion rules when putting an outfit together?
A: Most of the times, it suits to wear lighter colours on top than on the bottom, although there are obvious exceptions- as long as the top does not look "too heavy". When wearing a fitted shirt or top, one could wear something looser and more flowing on the bottom, and vice-versa. Try to avoid extremely tight bodycon dresses, they can easily look cheap. Looser silhouettes does not mean less femininity if it remains elegant!
Q: What would you never wear?
A: Animal prints on my body as it does not suit me.
Q: Which would you be best at? Worst at? (Stylist, Designer, Photogprapher, Buyer)
A: Best as a buyer and worst as a designer and photographer.
Q: What are your other interests? How do you spend your spare time?
A: In a complete contrast to fashion, I really love reading up on current affairs and on politics and finance/economy. I love watching political dramas and documentaries and I enjoy reading topics on inspirational, strong career women.
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