Give us some examples?
Sometimes I find things are just too fussy and over designed but there’s a cool girl quality and a slightly laid back feel to what Rachael does. She’s done the best cropped kick flare in quite a few colours, the cut is impeccable. There’s a perfect dressing gown coat and great oversize cardigans too. Her clothes make me feel so cool, like I can go to dinner without putting heels on.
What do you buy too much of?
Two things. One is definitely black trousers. I have them in every shape – wide, skinny, palazzo, kick flared, high waisted, shiny, matte – I don’t know how many I have. The other thing that is a real problem for me is sunglasses – I have an archive of I don’t know how many – its epic. Unlike Tom, I never lose them. I have retro YSL ones in red from 20 years ago. I have every shape you can think of; cat ones, round ones, Jackie O ones and I squirrel them away otherwise everyone teases me. There is a huge stash of secret sunglasses hidden behind my knitwear in my closet. Although I always have two favourites on the go – at the moment it’s my Linda Farrow for The Row rose gold slightly John Lennon style and a Thierry Lasry cat shape.
What are your favourite classics that you wear time and time again?
My favourite thing that has to be surgically removed – is a Saint Laurent hacking jacket with suede patches – it’s the most sublime thing. Hedi Slimane does nostalgic pieces that you want in your wardrobe forever. I wear it for dinner as well as to walk the dog! Another timeless piece is my Saint Laurent navy blue tux – I always pack it, because I never quite know where I might be going and it works everywhere. I can wear it with flats or heels – i can put a simple vest underneath it. It’s perfect.
What designers do you specifically head to for wardrobe staples?
The Forever Coat – Max Mara or Raey. They last forever, are similar, but at a different price point.
Trouser suit – I feel this winter there are going to be loads of great ones around – Saint Laurent, Barbara Casasola, Altuzarra.
Shirt – Saint Laurent are clean and classic. For feminine I’d go with Valentino or Chloe.
T-shirt – James Perse or Isabel Marant.
High heel – My current crush is Malone Souliers, her coloured mules are so beautiful.
Event wear – Rosie Assouline – I adore her white cotton poplin shirt dress, such a modern take on the gown.
There used to be a sense that fashion was seen as frivolous, now it’s gone to the other extreme and I think women feel an enormous pressure to be fashionable, but most people just love it.