❤ How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is eclectic smart casual. I particularly like vintage mixed with modern classics with something quirky thrown in. Usually the quirk comes from colour or pattern or a piece of jewellery. My fashion label, Quail, is a journey into the styles that I like to explore.
❤ What are your inspirations? Designers / artists you admire most?
My inspiration comes from old films, because borrowing from the past is not only fun, it’s proven! There is something about how time passes where once mundane details of a collar, colour choice, or pleat, or cut of trouser suddenly looks eclectic and eye catching. Designers I admire are Alpana Bawa , Custo Barcelona, Old Town. Colour, pattern, texture, design, eclectic and vintage.
❤ Which of your creations / accomplishments are you the most proud of and why?
I’m most proud of having actually started my fashion label, Quail, because it wasn’t easy to start from scratch. I read somewhere early on “Not knowing where to begin is a common form of paralysis, begin anywhere”. I love that. It basically means “Get on with it!” I chose to go down the path of using organic, fairtrade, recycled, unique heritage fabrics such as shweshwe and batiks because everyone must learn that consumerism has cut too many corners and it is time to get back to quality and THAT is an exciting and creative place to be going!
❤ Which trends do you think will be big this Fall? Which ones will flop?
Black lace is supposed to be big. Personally I think it looks too trashy to be taken seriously so will flop on anyone over 20 years old!!! I’m supporting the Pencil Skirt, Mary Jane Shoes, dark royal purple colours and the return of the Trench coat.
❤ What’s the most fashionable city in the world at the moment?
Definitely Stockholm! It’s full of young people, shops which are trendy without trying or just really unformulaic and reflecting the character of the shopkeeper rather than identi-kit copies of other shops. There’s also a pride in Sweden for their own innovation and support of young stylists, designers and artists to street culture, café culture and clubs. There’s something sharp and fine about Scandinavians!
❤ Which websites do you go to regularly?
Fed By Birds
Bloesom
Julia Pott
Gudruns Joden
❤ What would you wear on a date?
Black leather jacket, pinstripe wool trousers, heeled black boots and either a smart white/coloured blouse and chunky jewellery.