frivolousness on a friday evening
Tomboy or Girly Girl?
I'd like to think ladylike more than girly girl. Clearly tomboy is a ridiculous proposition.
Describe your beauty routine?
Morning: pH Advantage Glycolic Cleanser, Guerlain Substantific Serum, Peter Thomas Roth Max All Day Moisturizer (love the SPF30) or Shu Uemura Depsea Moisture Replenishing Cream. Makeup in a hurry, I've got it down to 5 minutes (and that includes wielding an eyelash curler and liquid eyeliner!).
Evening: Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil, La Prairie Essential Exfoliator 3x a week, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, Guerlain Orchidee Imperiale eye cream. Kiehls Creme de Corps and St Tropez if I can be bothered, which is rarely.
Describe your hair?
Currently dark chocolate brown (usually black) and just-past-shoulder-length. In the later stages of growing out short layers - I miss my long hair!
Describe your personal style?
Ladylike elegance, currently with a nod to gothic noir decadence for eveningwear. Who would have thought I'd be back there again. I like classic silhouettes in luxe fabrics with exquisite details - rosettes and ruffles, bejewelled tulle and french lace, pleated silk and intricate embroidery.
Like metrosexual boys?
Only as friends - guys who date me should be comparatively low-maintenance.
Like accessories?
That would be a resounding yes.
Like high heels?
Cripplingly so.
Like matchy matchy, or mix and match?
Used to be compulsively matchy-matchy, but now I'm more about complementary tones or unexpected contrast. Except for lingerie - strictly matching only.
Spend a lot of money on beauty products in general?
So much more when I was working in the industry. These days, only occasionally - and usually duty free.
Shop online for clothes?
Let's just say net-a-porter and I are well acquainted.
Favourite article of clothing in your closet?
That would be like asking me to chose a favourite child! Some current favourites:
- Marchesa black and cream silk/velvet cocktail frock with an oversized silk bow and feathered detail;
- Burberry Harbourne black trenchcoat (impulse purchase at Heathrow);
- Camilla & Marc Tabitha french lace cocktail frock;
- not clothing as such, but my bordeaux lambskin Chanel.
Makeup line?
Chanel, MAC, Stila.
Skincare line?
I'm fickle - Guerlain and La Prairie on high rotation.
Perfume?
Far too many - Chanel Gardenia, Coco Mademoiselle, No. 5 Eau Premiere, L'Artisan La Chasse Aux Papillons.
Colours to wear?
Red, black, navy, dove grey, blush, cream, emerald/hunter green. My wardrobe consists of either intense jewel tones or soft neutrals.
What is a trend you dislike the most?
Knee-high gladiator sandals. How can they possibly be flattering?! Oh, and the inexplicable recent revival of boho.
What is your fashion philosophy?
'A girl should be two things - classy and fabulous.' - Coco Chanel
What kind of shoes do you like?
Vertiginous heels - usually pumps, ballet flats (especially Bloch and Repetto - ridiculously comfortable), knee high boots.
What is your biggest fashion problem?
Propensity to buy the same thing in multiple colours.
What old trends do you think should come back?
I'd like to see hats and headpieces for occasions other than daytime weddings and spring racing.
What one piece are you dying to add to your wardrobe?
Black Birkin with palladium hardware, or rouge with gold hardware. True love.
How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
About half an hour to be out the door.
Would you ever go out in public without makeup?
I'd usually at least do tinted moisturiser or a dab of Touche Eclat. My dark circles frighten small children.
If you had a fashion budget of 1 million dollars, where would you shop, and why?
Chanel, Marchesa, Lanvin, Tiffany & Co.
Is there anything you absolutely CANT wear?
Citrus colours, white suits, short shorts, leggings as pants, shapeless smock tops or dresses - give me a defined waist any day. Also can't do hemlines that hit the calf, ankle straps, low rise jeans, and anything that is prohibitively tight.
If you had to pick one designer to wear for the rest of your life, who would it be, and why?
Chanel. Classic, feminine, occasion-appropriate yet directional and occasionally whimsical.