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      in lifestyle and culture

      Repossi dedicates jewellery piece to raise money for Beirut explosion victims

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      In the wake of the devastating blast that took place in Beirut, Lebanon on Tuesday evening, many stars have come forward to share their devastation, and many have also taken the opportunity to donate money to helping those who have been severely affected.
      One brand that is leading the way to help raise money for the Lebanese Red Cross is jewellery house Repossi.

      Taking to their official Instagram page, the brand confirmed that 100 per cent of the profits raised from the sale of their new Berbere Chromatic ring which is retailing for €2,900 (approximately Dhs12,654).

      All of the profits from the sale of the ring will go to the Lebanese Red Cross, which is currently aiding the thousands of people that have been injured in across Lebanon’s capital due to the explosion.
      With Lebanon being a dear country to the brand founder Gaia Repossi’s heart, as well as the rest of the team, it was important for the Repossi team to help support in any way they could.
      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied More

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      in beauty and fashion

      The TV Character I’m Basing My Entire Wardrobe Off Of

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      As a 24-year-old, it’s been a while since ladies my age have had a true, pop-culture fashion icon. Most of the fictionally fabulous characters we’ve aspired to be have come from decades past—Carrie Bradshaw, Elle Woods, Rachel Green, Raven Baxter (may we never, ever forget that intro look). And when you take a step back and look at their similarities, they all had one thing in common: they wore whatever the hell they wanted.In my book, characters who rise to have a place in the proverbial Fashion Hall of Fame have a certain je ne sais quoi to their looks that make it feel like they took a quick look at their closet, threw things on without thinking much of it, and headed out the door. Of course this isn’t reality, but capturing the essence of effortless effort in eclectic outfits is something that’s inspiring, to say the least. And to my absolute relief, I think that the new icon of our generation is here: Astrid Sloan, played by Lucy Boynton in Netflix’s The Politican.

      Source: Netflix

      Last year, the show’s debut season was a hit straight out of the gate—no surprise considering its star-studded cast and uber-entertaining storyline of golden boy Payton Hobart (played by Ben Platt), who’ll stop at nothing to achieve his dream of becoming the President of the United States, but only after he becomes the president of his Santa Barbara high school.
      The fashion throughout the entire series is stellar without fail—from Georgina Hobart’s all-too-appropriate mumu collection to McAfee Westbrook’s never-ending series of impeccable pantsuits to Skye Leighton’s edgy looks paired with corresponding, colorful makeup. It’s all damn near perfect, and no character is an exception. But from the start, Astrid’s wardrobe made my heart skip a beat and gave me a newfound will to live—and really, how often can that be said?

      Source: Netflix

      Source: Netflix

      In Season 1, when she’s running against Payton for High School President, Astrid’s wardrobe is impeccably reminiscent of a modern Jackie O—full of high-cut blouses adorned with bows and paired with lots of pattern. They master a balance of peppiness and edginess by pairing classic silhouettes and tailoring with trendy accessories, at least one unexpected piece per outfit, and even an occasional faux-hawk. It’s a dream come true for a Californian cool-girl presidential candidate—but Season 2, when the series takes to New York, is when her style really shines. From the second she appears on-screen there (pictured below) her character’s transition is apparent through her edgy looks that have ditched all signs of prep.

      Source: Netflix

      eason 2 is filmed during a cooler season, so Astrid’s wardrobe veers away from the warm, California days she was dressed for in Season 1, and instead gives us the fall wardrobe of dreams: fur coats, texture, deep colors, and lots of leopard. All of her looks are the perfect example of mixing patterns and colors that, if went by the book, wouldn’t necessarily go together. By pairing things like hot pink with a pastel blue and leopard with a bright purple, every single look is interesting and unique—and the eclectic-ness of each is exactly what makes it feel so effortless. By being less cohesive and matchy-matchy, everything simultaneously looks both more fashionable and less planned.

      Source: Netflix

      Most streetwear and high-fashion looks have this same principle in common: they look randomly put together, but somehow cohesive. While Astrid’s wardrobe achieves this, it still feels done in a way that’s completely attainable, if only with a little more fearlessness when dressing. Her accessories are also a statement on their own, and when paired with outfits that are otherwise full of drama, they take them to another level.

      Source: Netflix

      Source: Netflix

      The Politician is set to have a third season, and while I can’t wait to see if, ahem, Payton takes Didi Standish’s offer (no spoilers here), I think I’m even more excited for what Astrid wears when the gang (hopefully) takes Washington. But for now, this fall, I’ll be snatching up a fur, knee-length, leopard coat and some acrylic heart earrings quicker than you can say, “Congratulations, Senator Hobart.”

      Source: Netflix More

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      Everything We Know About the 2020 Nordstrom Sale

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      If we had to rank our favorite holidays, it would go: Christmas, Halloween, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale got its reputation for being the sale of the year for one major reason: everything that’s discounted is a brand-new arrival. It isn’t picking through rack’s of last season’s pieces picking things up that you won’t be able to wear until next year; it’s next season’s pieces (fall and winter) that were all just released.
      Usually the sale takes place in July, but this year, it’s happening this month (and we’re not mad at it because it just means we’re one month closer to being able to wear our purchases!). The preview is out, the sale is nearing, and we’re breaking down everything you need to know to snag your dream pieces for 2020.

      When is it?
      Usually, the sale opens up to Nordstrom Cardholders, followed by the public. But this year, it’s broken down based on Nordstrom Card status (what you spend in a year). The opening dates are as follows:
      August 4: Icon access (cardholders that spend $15,000+ per year)
      August 7: Ambassador access (cardholders that spend $5,000+ per year)
      August 10: Influencer access (cardholders that spend $2,000+ per year)
      August 13: Insider access (all Nordstrom cardholders)
      August 18: Public access 
      The sale will run through Sunday, August 30th.

      How can I shop it?
      This year’s sale is obviously also different in the fact that, yes, there is a pandemic happening, which puts a wrench in rushing to the store to shop amongst large crowds.
      Nordstrom has reopened their stores to the public with extra precautions that protect both shoppers and employees. They’re also offering safe, contactless curbside pickup for online orders.
      If you don’t feel comfortable physically going to a store, as always, the entire sale will be available online and orders are shipped directly to you.

      What’s on sale?
      Just about everything—coats, top, boots, bras, activewear—are available; all from brands we love like Madewell, Topshop, Vince, Adidas, and more. Nordstrom took it upon itself to also offer more picks for our recent situations, which include a lot more lounging and a lot less dressing up for work. The best part, though? The more business-casual picks are all timeless enough that they can be worn year after year.
      Beyond clothes, there are incredible shoes, accessories, and beauty items (some of which are created exclusively for the event) on sale. 
      You can preview the entire sale now—but these are some of the things we already have on our wish lists. More

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      I Styled My Boss for a Week—Here’s How It Went

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      A Note from Maddie
      If there’s one thing I’ve learned from writing about fashion for a living, it’s that while trends universally come and go, style is anything but objective.
      Much of my days are spent styling the outfit graphics you see on The Everygirl’s website and social media, and writing about the season’s hottest trends and colors and accessories and everything in-between. While I know my personal style, I try my hardest to get outside of that for everything I write—from past experiences in the fashion industry, I know that one of the main reasons the best fashion editors are so great is that they can look at clothing from an eye that’s outside of, “Would I wear this?”
      But it goes without saying that this is often easier said than done. I’ve discovered that some of my best work comes from thinking outside of my own day-to-day with things like what trends Meghan Markle might be wearing and what Rachel Green might have worn if Friends took place in 2019. So when my boss, Alaina, came up with the idea for me to style a full week of outfits for her, I couldn’t have been more excited for the challenge.
      Alaina and I are at very different points in life, have very different personal style, and have different aspects of our bodies to consider while dressing ourselves (read: she has boobs, and I don’t.)
      I also had two main dictators for the outfits I wanted to choose for her: we’re still working from home, and she has two kids under 2. What she’s wearing from home while wrangling her two kids and working during the hot, 90-degree summer in Chicago is quite specific—much different than, say, what she’d be wearing if we were working from the office in the days of yore. Everything needed to be comfortable, breathable, and realistic, but still chic, put-together, and something she might not gravitate toward herself.
      As with any experiment, you win some, and you lose some—but our week of outfits taught both of us unexpected lessons about personal style and a little about the magic that can happen when we get out of our comfort zones.

       A Note from Alaina
      I’ve never considered myself stylish, per se. But I didn’t think I was that bad. And never did I think I’d find myself in such a fashion rut that I’d pitch myself for my own personal makeover story on The Everymom and The Everygirl.
      But two babies in two years via C-section, a stay-at-home order that has me reaching for loungewear day in and day out, and my recent purchase of six identical $7 tees from Target was the wake-up call that had me say, “Hey, Maddie, can you help me? What should I wear? What could I wear?”
      Enter Maddie, as in Madeline Galassi: our 24-year-old fashion guru who produces top-performing fashion article after another for The Everygirl (and she’s done quite a bit for The Everymom). I was elated when she was up for the challenge.
      To give you a sense of what I wear on any given day the past five months, I am in some version of what you see below.

      I open my trusty top drawer overflowing with comfortable, machine-washable tees. Well, I personally forced the more delicate ones to become machine-washable because #whohastimeforthat.
      Is it chilly? Hello, leggings and sweatshirt. Is it day 11 in a string of 100 degree days in Chicagoland this summer? Hi, stretchy-waist shorts and tee.

      Ooo, stripes. I’m fancy.
      (Pile of laundry–another constant in my life–but that is neither here nor there.)
      I see these beautiful fashion stories and graphics show up on our sites and Instagram accounts and think, So cute! But that wouldn’t work on me. And I wanted to put that negative thinking to the test. But I needed help. So, I asked Maddie if she would style me for a week. I know. Super lucky me, with a personal stylist at my fingertips.
      Here is what we made happen!
       

      THE OUTFIT PLAN

      linen jumpsuit / white sneakers / straw bag

      Alaina’s Initial Thoughts: So cute. But that color will never work on me and jumpsuits are tricky.

      THE OUTFIT REALITY

      Alaina is wearing a Size 8 in the jumpsuit.

      Maddie: When I saw this jumpsuit on Madewell’s website, I knew I wanted to see Alaina in it. I personally have a couple of linen jumpsuits that I’ve been living in lately, and this one looked like it would be both comfortable and flattering (and it was in a color I thought she wouldn’t choose for herself). And I loved it on her! Paired with a pair of white sneakers, it looked put-together and casual, and I thought it was a great “day of Zoom meetings” summer look.
      Alaina: Love. Love. Love. What a way to start the week! I felt so confident and stylish in this outfit. I was SHOCKED. 1. That it fit, and 2. that this color actually worked on my skin tone. And I was so excited to have something new that was this chic and comfortable. Great for work meetings, errands, working from home, anything.
      Also want to comment on the sneakers, because I’ve always thought “a white sneaker is a white sneaker. What’s the difference?” Um. This. The leather and this detail made these Madewell sneakers so chic. Also–huge props to Maddie because I tried this outfit on with my typical flat sandal (which is how I would have styled it), but the sneaker really elevates the style factor of this look.

      THE OUTFIT PLAN

      knit tank / paperbag shorts / python sandals

      Alaina’s Initial Thoughts: It’s super cute and trendy, and I love the color palette. But for me personally, I hope I can button the waist on those shorts. Also, I haven’t worn a tank top in years. Also, I’ve never worn anything snakeskin. But sure, why not?!

      THE OUTFIT REALITY

      Alaina is wearing a size large in both the top and shorts.

      Maddie: Sticking with the breezy linen theme, I thought these shorts were another perfect work-from-home summer staple. I live for a monochrome moment and think it’s a great way to make something casual (like these paperbag shorts) look more elevated and sophisticated. Knitted tanks are everywhere this season, and you can see why here: they couldn’t be more flattering. Both paired with these python sandals, the beige color was consistent from head to toe, and was an outfit I thought was ultra-flattering on Alaina.
      Alaina: I surprisingly really liked this outfit on! Especially the shorts. I could not believe how comfortable they were. And they buttoned easily because of a sneaky elastic bit in the back of the waist. I am not going to lie, I am not super comfortable with how large my chest is post-babies, and this shirt definitely highlights it, but overall I feel really good in this. The top is not too fitted which I like, but it’s light for summer.

      THE OUTFIT PLAN

      tan tank / white straight jeans / acetate belt / black sandals

      Alaina’s Initial Thoughts: Love, love, love. This looks like something I’d pick out for myself before I had kids.

      THE OUTFIT REALITY

      Alaina is wearing a size medium in the top and a Size 30 in the jeans. 

      Maddie: After working with Alaina for the past two years, I know that she’s partial to skinny jeans—something I don’t blame her for, but that made me want to try other fits of jeans on her body. Different neutrals paired together always looks chic—even if it’s just a combination of basics—and that’s what I was going for here.
      This amazing belt ended up being sold out in Alaina’s size, and I know that personally if I’m tucking a tighter shirt into jeans, I like having a belt on to complete the look and cinch in my waist a bit, so I do wish we had that incorporated here. These jeans ended up being a bit big on Alaina—but I still could see the gist, and thought if they had fit right, they could have been a winner. Nothing in this outfit is too crazy or trendy—it’s just a few elevated basics that you could throw on in the morning without much thought.
      Alaina: This was probably our biggest miss (aside from the date night looks you’ll see below). It’s surprising because this was the look I would have probably bought for myself. I love the outfit, but not on me. I just don’t think it’s flattering. The white denim did not fit right. The size I ordered was actually a size too big, but it was still snug around my mid-section, highlighting my C-section pouch which made me feel insecure. I feel like the SNL Mom Jeans video in them.
      I was excited to try the straight leg denim because I paired it with skinny jeans at first and that was, by and large, an even greater fail. The straight leg made this look much more stylish, and I probably would have liked it more on my pre-baby body when I carried less weight in my chest and midsection.

      THE OUTFIT PLAN

      puff-sleeve blouse / denim shorts / mint sandals

      Alaina’s Initial Thoughts: [giggling to myself] This is never going to work … I am too old for this. Maddie, this would look great on you, but it will never work on me.

      THE OUTFIT REALITY

      Alaina in the size medium top–more fitting and flattering but a bit too tight. 

      Another shot of the size medium–the buttons were holding for on dear life!

      Switched to the wearing the size large top–room to breathe!

      Maddie: Another thing I wanted to see Alaina in was—you guessed it—a puffy sleeve. Puffy sleeves have been everywhere for over a year now, and I had never seen Alaina in one. They give everything they touch a little more femininity and elevation and are pretty foolproof with their styling—throw them on with some jeans (or jean shorts), and you’re good to go.
      I think Alaina might disagree with me on this one, but I loved this top on her. I think it was flattering—albeit a bit tight on her chest—and paired with these slightly longer jean shorts was a great option for a summer barbecue or socially-distanced get-together. She had two sizes of this—the larger of which definitely fit better.
      Alaina: I’m still torn on this look! First, I should say I was delightfully surprised at how I felt with it on. I felt good! The size medium top was definitely a bit more flattering and I think if I lost 5-10 pounds, I’d prefer that to the way the large fits, but for now the large is where my comfort zone is. Not too fitted. But I still look at it and question, does it look too young for me? Do I look like a mom trying to feel 16 again? Haha, I guess the jury’s still out.

      THE OUTFIT PLAN

      green midi dress / colorful sandals / gold hoops

      Alaina’s Initial Thoughts: [again giggling] Super cute look for summer! If only I could wear something like that … spaghetti straps and anything overflowing just does not work on me. I’ll end up looking like a sack of potatoes. But again, I am up to try anything!

      Maddie: Here at The Everygirl, our style leans heavily toward neutral colors—so during this, one of my missions was to dress Alaina in brighter colors that I knew she wouldn’t gravitate toward herself. This dress was the first outfit I picked for her. I knew the color would look amazing with her dark hair and fair skin, and that it would be as comfortable as pajamas while remaining a versatile closet staple. Everyone needs a couple of lightweight, flowing midi dresses in their closet, and this jewel tone is a fun way to make it not as basic as a classic white one.
      When I saw the picture of these fun, colorful, python sandals, I thought they’d be perfect for this dress—they made the whole look more exciting than say, a pair of basic brown sandals. Topped off with a simple pair of gold hoops, it’s a chic two-minute look for a busy mom; throw on the dress and sandals, and you’re done.
      Alaina: Um … love. This outfit had me feeling impossibly chic in that effortless way as if summer is just my season, and this is how I am most comfortable dressing. (Even though it absolutely is not, and oversized sweaters and leggings in winter is actually my most comfortable way of dressing.) This outfit turned heads, mostly because of the beautiful, bold color. I felt stylish without being super dressy. I basically want to live in this dress.
      AND the gold earrings are the best everyday staple that zhush up your face for daily Zoom calls. Again, THANK YOU, Maddie, for opening my eyes to the possibility of color and trying new things!

      THE OUTFIT PLAN

      yellow midi dress / white sandals / rattan bag

      Alaina’s Initial Thoughts: Hmm … I loved the yellow dress post we ran on The Everygirl. Love the neckline. I like that it’s fitted–that should be more flattering on my curvy figure. I’m hopeful! But the always lingering question in the back of my mind is, will it zip up all the way?

      Maddie: Ah, this dress—where to begin? Looking back, it was a pretty audacious choice, but hindsight is 20/20. Light yellow is one of the hottest colors of this summer, and when I saw this dress on the Nordstrom model, I thought it would be sophisticated and breezy and a little something different—but the result ended up looking like Alaina would need to be singing that “she wants much more than this provincial life” when she was wearing it.
      This dress is an amazing example of how you really never know what something online might look like in person. The model they showed this dress on was a tall, Size 0 woman with no cleavage to worry about. Here, you can see that it’s much longer, where instead of hitting mid-calf, it’s hitting at Alaina’s ankles; and while the neckline is gorgeous, it doesn’t leave too much to the imagination on someone with a bigger chest. It’s a whole lot of yellow—and let’s just say it was a very clear fail.
      Alaina: Wrinkles aside, this dress was a weird combination of sexy/farmgirl Belle. And it was a miss. The length was off–would realistically need to get it hemmed if I was trying to make this work. The slit in the skirt was not open enough and there was not enough movement in the skirt, creating this effect that I was wearing a giant sheet of yellow fabric as opposed to showing skin to break up all the fabric. Remember Angelina’s weird leg pose years ago? I felt that that was how I had to stand to make this work. I did like the neckline but that was the only thing working for me in this dress. My husband’s response was, “Ooo that’s sexy. You look like Belle. Wait are you supposed to wear that out in public?” So, even he was confused. Haha.

      THE BACKUP PLAN

      white midi dress / peach sandals / rattan bag

      Alaina’s Initial Thoughts: After the yellow dress fail, Maddie sent me three options, and I chose this one! I thought it looked summery fresh and had an equally flattering neckline with straps that would hide my bra straps. Loved!

      Maddie: Another dress that looked gorgeous online, but like a literal sheet that should be worn to a college toga party in real life. Again, on the model, I thought this dress had much more shape and structure to it—but in person, it does absolutely nothing for the body. It looks like a linen dress you have at the back of your closet just in case you have one too many graduation parties to attend that summer. It’s the clothing version of “womp womp.” Not even a pair of strappy coral sandals and a gorgeous structured bag could save this one.
      Lesson: pay attention to product descriptions—not just what they appear to look like on the model.
      Alaina: I never even got the shoes on because let’s face it, I was wearing a nightgown. Or so it looked. And not in a good way. The material felt cheap and was almost see-through. The fit was off, the length was wrong (again)–and I’m not short. I’m 5’6″! Nothing about this dress worked on me, and we were ready to throw in the towel. Quite frankly–I loved the green dress for date night, as much as I loved it for daytime! So, that was a success enough! More

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      in beauty and fashion

      My Favorite Transitional Fall Pieces

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      If seasonal fashion were a friend, summer would be your childhood best friend; the one you can call after being too busy to talk for two months and pick back up like you didn’t miss a moment. They’re easy, lovable, loyal, and there’s really no complaints to be had. But fall? Fall is your highfalutin friend that you text when you want to have a good time. They’re the one you see once in a while, but when you do, you have a night that you’re talking about for weeks to come. Summer fashion is great while it’s here—it’s breezy, effortless, and simple—but in my opinion, it stays a little past its welcome. The first couple of weeks you can wander outside in only shorts and a T-shirt are exciting and all, but with the potential of fall lurking just around the corner, it gets old—fast. 
      While you’d think that once September and October roll around that fall fashion would be in full force, more often than not, that’s not the case. 80 degree days can stick around until Halloween, and it leaves us with the question: what exactly do we wear?
      That’s where transitional fall clothes come into play. The key is to retire some ride-or-die summer clothes in exchange for seasonally appropriate ones that still are comfortable for the weather—but it’s easier said than done. Here are my five favorite transitional fall pieces (that you can bet I’ll be wearing come the end of August).

      1. A knitted tank

      For the days you’re feeling particularly autumnal but it’s still hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk, a knitted tank is the answer. It feels like a safe, transitional step toward fall, but will let you breathe—and will look incredible layered under jackets once fall actually comes to town.

      2. An oversized blazer

      Blazers have been all the rage for a few seasons now, and luckily for those of us that have been hoarding them, the menswear staple is back for another round this year. Save your textured tweed ones for the cooler months, and opt for a lighter-weight, oversized one for September and October. Paired with a T-shirt and denim, it makes a perfect outfit recipe for a 60-something degree day.

      3. A denim dress

      Unconventional denim always has the ability to be practically seasonless, so a denim dress like this one is perfect to wear this time of year. It’s the perfect patio attire for a cooler evening and veers toward fall dressing without being too hot. Just like a knitted tank, this can be layered up for cooler temperatures so you get use of it from now until December.

      4. A cropped cardigan

      I know, I know, “cropped cardigan” is kind of like jumbo shrimp. Prior to last year, I was never exactly a cardigan girl. Bigger, chunkier ones were never my style, and ones like these were retired once I graduated from middle school—but now that they’re in style, they’re a great piece to add to your transitional collection. This one has subtle, puffy sleeves, and I’ve even worn it with shorts on chillier nights this summer when I’m sitting outside. It provides just the right amount of warmth without being too bulky, and in a fall-appropriate color like this, will make you feel like you want to sit down with a PSL.

      5. Straight, white denim

      By now, we’ve debunked the myth that you can’t wear white after Labor Day, and in my opinion, white denim is a great way to usher out summer and welcome in fall. This pair is my go-to, with a straight fit and distressed, cropped hem. Pair them with sweaters and your favorite jackets all season, and if you’re really feeling bold, wear them into the colder seasons for a winter white moment. *Chef’s kiss* More

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      What to Wear This Weekend

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      Even with isolation and minimal opportunity for activity, weekends do, in fact, still exist—and we still need to make the most of them.We’ve dove into how to make weekends feel special while staying at home, and we believe with all our hearts that wearing real clothes is one way to do that. We’re not suggesting anything uncomfortable or sweat-prone—just comfortable, chic outfits that will remind you that yes, something other than your sweatshorts does exist.
      Whether you’re spending this weekend reading on your porch or at a socially-distanced barbecue or just hanging around your house, we have an outfit that you’ll feel like your usual self in.

      1.

      romper (plus-size romper) / sneakers / bag / sunglasses

      2.

      dress (plus-size dress option) / sandals / bag / necklace (budget-friendly option)

      3.

      jeans / tank / sandals / necklace

      4.

      overall dress / tee / sandals / sunglasses

      5.

      dress (plus-size option) / sneakers / straw tote / sunglasses More

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      27 Lightweight Jumpsuits That Feel Like Pajamas but Make You Look Put-Together

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      I’m going to be honest: I’ve had it with my work-from-home wardrobe. Every morning when I wake up and put on yet another pair of running shorts paired with a T-shirt while side-eying the things I wore in my former life (read: five months ago), a little part of me dies. But no matter how hard I try, I just cannot get myself to wear things that aren’t comfortable—it’s a true catch-22.This conundrum led me to a groundbreaking, recent discovery: a black, cotton jumpsuit I had hiding at the back of my closet. I stumbled upon it on an unsuspecting Tuesday morning, threw it on, and felt like I had just won the lottery. It’s the true equivalent to a pair of pajamas, but looks and feels like I’m wearing a real outfit—even though I only had to put one thing on my body. When I say I’ve worn it almost every day since, I mean it.
      While we’re sitting on our couches from now until who knows when, we might as well be doing it feeling as confident as possible—and comfortable jumpsuits are the answer to that. Buy these now, and thank me later.

        More

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      Farfetch: How to grow a global brand with Stephanie Phair

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      Strategy and style
      Stephanie Phair is what you’d call incredible. Leading, developing and articulating the long-term vision for Farfetch, we spoke to Phair about supporting boutiques in the time of a pandemic and beyond.
      What do your first 30 mins of the day look like, your morning routine?
      I’ve stopped checking emails first thing in the morning, or you go down a rabbit hole, and I end up with a clearer head! If there is anything urgent I would have missed calls. I get myself ready and it’s all hands on deck to get 3 children and us out of the house on time.
      Tell us about your role as Chief Customer Officer at Farfetch?

      My role encompasses the broader customer strategy at Farfetch, the world of Private Client and our customer innovation efforts with Store of the Future. Our customers are at the core of our business and one of our key brand pillars is “amaze customers”. José [Neves, founder of Farfetch] always had in mind that he wanted to build a community and our customers are at the heart of that.
      How did your previous roles at the likes of Net-A-Porter set you up for such a role and what do you think the key thing is to remember if you strive to build a customer-centric brand?
      Net-A-Porter was such a customer centric business and I learnt a lot there. Making sure you constantly look at things not from a functional point of view but from a customer lens is a discipline. The customer doesn’t care that your average answering time is x minutes, they care about what it was for them.
      The recent months have been a challenge – how did Farfetch stay ahead of the curve in terms of inventory and strategy?

      Farfetch was founded at the beginning of the 2008 recession, and born out of a need for brick and mortar boutiques to survive and reach customers worldwide. Today our partners are facing an equally difficult time for trade now as we did then, but our capabilities as a global platform enable us to offer them solutions during this time, because they can still ship from their stores even if their footfall has dropped. Farfetch has hundreds of boutique partners who make our business model so unique and our first instinct was to go back to our DNA and highlight what an important part of our community they represent by launching our Support Boutiques campaign.  When our customers shop on Farfetch, the items arrive from one of 700+ boutiques in one of 50 countries around the world, or from the stores of our many brand partners, altogether representing over 3000 designers – mostly small and unique creators of fashion. The vast majority of these are small businesses (often family-run) many of whom cannot welcome customers into their physical stores at the moment. We wanted to ensure these partners have our full support to be able to continue servicing their dedicated customer base and continue to trade. Now as we see the market begin to come out of the strict lockdowns we saw implemented around the world, we remain steadfast in supporting our partners.
      Which attributes do you find appeal most to customers when it comes to products?
      What customers really want lends to our DNA and what really is authentic to Farfetch -which is curation, aiding in discovery but also the human stories we tell via our community. With Farfetch Communities we spotlight individual points of view across the world which shows how varied and unique the world of fashion can be. Whether it’s our boutique partners, our network of influencers or our own teams, our brand has a lot of heart and I believe that is something our consumers appreciate and connect with.
      How does Farfetch intend to continue to support boutiques globally going forward?
      We will continue to support our boutiques through strong editorial and the ability to let them tell their unique stories but we are also working to integrate technology that better connects the online and offline experiences. If our marketplace can help drive people in to our partner boutiques’ stores for example then it is a win-win.

      Do you have particular brands yourself that you buy into?
      I have always loved more classic, clean lines. The Row, Toteme, Frame – I’m happy to go hi-lo and sometimes throw in something crazy and colourful. Farfetch is such a great place to discover brands.
      How do you manage to succeed in both roles (Farfetch & British Fashion Council) and do you have any mindfulness practices that help when the challenges come from every angle?
      I prioritise in order of urgency, work as hard as I can, but recognise that there are only 12 hours (or 16) in the day! I am lucky to work in an industry that is about selling nice clothes and storytelling and so perspective is really important too.
      What is luxury today?
      It is health and quality time. I think this coronavirus pandemic has taught everyone how to appreciate the small things.
      Do you see any buying patterns in terms of global sales and if so what?
      We are certainly seeing demand change according to where on the path to easing lockdown a region finds itself in. We are also seeing an increase in homewares, active wear and comfortable fashion as you might expect.
      How do you approach client engagement and retention?
      We have a number of different avenues when it comes to engagement and retention. We are focused on always innovating our online customer experience and user journey, by being able to offer our customers an unrivalled assortment from the best brands and boutiques around the globe. We do look for opportunities where we can bring the offline experience to life by immersing our customers into the world of the many boutiques that sit on the platform and through consumer facing events where we can connect with the Farfetch community.  Our loyalty programme, Farfetch Access, allows us to cater to and personalise our offerings to each of our customers as their buying profile develops from one tier to the next. Once our customer reaches the Private Client tier, one of the very personalized services we offer them is a personal stylist and access to the Fashion Concierge service where you can buy unique one-of-a-kind pieces from brands that we don’t stock on our platform.
      How crucial do you see tech and innovation in luxury versus the personal touch or is it the two combined?
      When it comes to the online shopping experience, we know that customers are more hyper connected than ever. They have their pulse to newness and emerging trends so it’s very important for us as a brand to create inspiration and aid customers in that discovery. Furthermore, when it comes to the offline versus online journey, the digital aspect of the consumer journey is so important. Due to the current climate, consumers’ habits have certainly shifted towards online shopping. I believe that customers today expect a far more seamless, effortless and efficient experience when they shop online. Additionally, customers are incredibly knowledgeable and do their research before purchasing an item, so they want to know that they are being offered the highest quality products at the most competitive prices.
      Which Instagram accounts do you follow for inspiration?
      I follow a lot of interior Instagram accounts. I believe that fashion is not just about clothes anymore but fits into wider culture and this helps frame the broader perspective. The World of Interiors, The Modern House, Great Women Artists are some.

      Do you have any pre-bedtime rituals?
      I do check my phone, which is not great!
      What effect has social media played in the growth of Farfetch?
      Social media has been a great platform through which we have seen the extensive growth and extension of Farfetch Communities – it’s limitless. It has also been a platform through which we were able to remain connected to our customers throughout this pandemic. We were able to bring our customers into our boutiques and were able to give our boutiques the chance to talk to the customers and tell them of their experiences throughout these unprecedented times.
      What advice would you give to your younger self starting out?
      Don’t be so impatient. It will all come in time.
      Did you have a mentor and if so what was the most valuable piece of advice they gave you?
      I have worked with many wonderful women (and men) who have all been mentors in some aspect, from Anna Wintour to Natalie Massenet and Mark Sebba, the CEO of the Net-A-Porter Group I am very lucky that I have worked with some of the best in the business.
      If you were not Chief Customer Officer at Farfetch, which other role would you choose career-wise?
      I love my role – so much to do and I get to work with smart kind people all over the world.
      This issue is ‘The Summer Escape’ – where would you like to escape to?
      I am actually really looking forward to visiting Dubai again when it’s safe to do so. My last few trips have been very quick so I would really like to spend some proper time in the city and connect with the community out there.
      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
      Images: Supplied, Instagram, main image from the Emirates Woman  ‘The Summer Escape Issue’ cover shoot. More