Here at Style’n’Snitch we love getting the inside scoop on everything shopping related, so it seemed only fitting we reach out to a few of our fashionable friends. We caught up with three trend-driven Londoners – model and actress, Natasha Culzac, stylist Kelly Huang Tracey and denim buyer, Jessica Oldfield – to find out all of their stylish secrets.
NATASHA
Tell us a little about your job…
I’m currently a model, actress and sometime-journalist. I’m freelance and love how varied the jobs can be.
Where do you do most of your shopping for yourself?
50% of my wardrobe is second-hand, often from charity or vintage stores, and the other half is mainly staples from online shops like ASOS or Long Tall Sally, the latter of which is necessary for me for jeans and well-fitting shirts, things like that, as I’m “6’1.
What are your favourite places to shop in London or the UK that are a little off the beaten path?
I absolutely love the charity shops in my home county of Sussex. There are so many beautiful vintage finds for under £10 when you go into tucked away little villages. Places like Battle and Uckfield are my firm favourites.
What is your favourite international shopping destination and why?
I think it has to be Brooklyn. The vintage stores there are incredible.
JESS
Tell us a little about your job…
As the denim buyer at Miss Selfridge each day is different from the next. My job involves developing, planning, negotiating and delivering the denim range in to stores and online. The bits in-between involve meetings, fabric shows, travel to the supply base (mainly in Turkey) – but most importantly maintaining and keeping a good relationship with the rest of the team and our suppliers.
Where do you do most of your shopping for yourself?
I’m the biggest online shopper mostly on my phone, from ASOS to independents on Instagram, if they can deliver to my door and save me the time I’m all over it!
What are your favourite places to shop in London or the UK that are a little off the beaten path?
As my 2nd home is East London this is always my favourite place to shop, not just for clothes but for everything from plants to pictures to pillow cases! There are some constants like the outlets including Burberry and Matches, but then there are always some incredible ever changing pop-ups too. My guilty pleasure is the flower warehouse on Cambridge Heath road!
What is your favourite international shopping destination and why?
As denim buyer I have blue blood when it comes to shopping and my favourite places are Amsterdam and Stockholm. There are some gorgeous independent boutiques and some really cool brands. I love Twist and Tango (their Stockholm store is my favourite) for denim and all things smart-casual. They also have a really cool shoe range!
I’m not a huge vintage shopper but Lisa Larsson is Stockholm is amazing for designer brands like Chanel, vintage kimonos, plus many more golden finds.
KELLY
Tell us a little about your job…
I produce fashion events and shoots for publications and clients all over the world, and I also make shorts films.
Where do you find the clothes for shoots?
Most of the time I borrow from PR agencies, scour my own wardrobe or I borrow from friends.
What are your favourite places to shop in London or the UK that are a little off the beaten path?
I shop mostly online, but recently I have fallen in love with a place called the “Blue Mountain School” in Shoreditch. It is a retail experience on its own. One day I will be able to afford a piece of clothing there… or have a meal at Mãos.
What is your favourite international shopping destination and why?
Lower Manhattan in NYC has the most exciting variety of boutiques, from vintage to designers, interior shops to record stores and lots of trainers. And Paris of course. There are fantastic boutiques and stores scattered around the city and you can walk everywhere.
Written by Thea Carley
