AL: Hiya, I'm Amanda, originally from Victoria, BC, which is on a pretty little island on the West Coast of Canada. I work for a major online luxury retailer in the Customer Care department and have done for 4 years.
LC: Which area of London are you in?
AL: I've been in the UK for just over 4 years, and have lived in Blackheath for about 3 1/2 of that. It's a great village in SE, about 25 minutes on the train to Charing Cross and 20 minutes walk to work which is ideal for me!
LC: What is your favorite thing about living in London?
AL: I love that I'm anonymous; I like being a little fish in a big pond! There is amazing food, accessible live music gigs and diversity.
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| blazer-Topshop lace top-Glamorous, boob tube- Topshop trousers- Aritzia shoes-MiuMiu cat ring-Nach Bijoux |
LC: Where do you like to eat and/or get coffee?
AL: I would eat lobster everyday if I could afford it, so while it is a little splurge I love going to Burger & Lobster for their lobster roll! Yum! Coffee is tricky in London, it's not that great and I am not a Starbucks kind of person...I like the Algerian Coffee Store on Old Compton Street for a solid £1 double espresso...but for people watching Bar Italia on Firth Street, Soho, is fun...I've seen Paloma Faith, Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter perched there.
LC: Ooh I get so starstruck when I see celebs! Do you freak out when you see celebrities, or do you keep your cool?
AL: The only person I lose my cool over is Miles Kane! Haha I saw him at a Father John Misty gig a few weeks ago...I internally lost my cool, text everyone I knew and stalked him for a few minutes until I decided it wasn't worth missing the gig for! But actually I usually just pretend I don't know they're a big deal, haha!
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| silk top-Aritzia jeans-Urban Outfitters boots-ASOS |
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| cat ring- Nach Bijoux |
AL: Liberty, hands down. I could spend hours looking at the Annina Vogel Jewelley counter alone. It has such a great vibe and style to it.
LC: According too you, where's the best place to go out?
AL: Depends on what you're after. Tiny clubs playing Northern soul, hidden speakeasies, or pubs! I like Soho or some areas East.
LC: Who is your fashion Icon?(alive or dead!)
AL: There are people I admire for always being pulled together and looking impeccable but fun, Gwen Stefani is one of those people. I like the 60s and love to flip through old pictures of Brigitte Bardot, Marianne Faithfull, Peggy Moffat etc.
LC: Did you follow London Fashion Week?
AL: I did! I have to pay attention a little for my work, but it's not something I'm fanatical about. I've worked at LFWend for the last 3 seasons which is always fun to be involved in.
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| dress-Topshop coat-Whistles fur collar-vintage shoes-Charlotte Olympia |
LC: What do you get up to at London Fashion Weekend?
AL: I usually work at theoutnet.com stall either selling or educating customers on our brand. It's fun seeing all the bloggers dressed to the nines and being a part of the whole thing.
LC: What are the new season trends you're dying to try?
AL: I'm so happy 60s and 70s styles are so readily available! I've been working my legs and butt all winter so come spring short dresses will be mine!!!
LC: Where do have your hair done?
AL: I get my hair done at Pimps and Pinups in Spitalfields Market.
pimpsandpinups.com
LC: Which magazines/websites/blogs do you follow regularly?
AL: Vogue, Porter and Love magazine are all go-to!
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| anorak-ASOS leggings-ADIDAS bag-Alexander Wang sunglasses-Gucci |
I like to look sexy and cute everytime I walk out the door...maybe not the two classiest adjectives...but it's the truth! It took me until my late 20s to realize being nearly 6 foot tall with long legs and curves in all the right places is actually a really good thing for me!
My personal style is quite personal, I don't follow or copy anyone consciously. It is rare I'm not in all black. I'm not sad or depressed I just feel the most comfortable in it. Is it ok to call myself a blonde bombshell with a whimsical twist?!
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| Blonde Bombshell |
LC: Uhh, yeah!!
AL: When I was a teenager I wore whatever I wanted and was heavily influenced by grunge and punk...shaved head, purple hair, all my clothes from second hand stores. I think having that much freedom being young has left me with a bit of a "don't care what you think" attitude and confidence towards how I present myself now.
LC: I love that! It's so awesome that fashion has less rules now and it's more about bringing your own brand than it is about wearing them. Tell me about the top 3 pieces in your wardrobe.
AL: My 60s vintage leopard print coat, it's lush! I hemmed it about 5 inches, took off the ugly attached belt and changed the buttons...it's perfect.
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| dress and bag - Alexander Wang coat - vintage boots - Zara |
Black skinny jeans from Urban Outfitters, they don't sell the ones I'm in love with in Europe! I get them sent over from the States 2 pairs at a time! They're high waisted, perfectly tight and long enough for me!
Chelsea boots!! They are my absolute fave! A classic leather pair of Chelsea boots work with nearly everything in my wardrobe...don't know what I'd do without them.
LC: What is your guilty pleasure- food or otherwise!
AL: Too many to list!! I am a big fan of mid-century Scandinavian design and recently spent way too much money on a teak cheese plate with hand blown glass dome lids to cover the cheese...it's beautiful.
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| Amanda's prized cheese plate! |
Thanks to Amanda for participating in my little social experiment, and also just for being a unique and gorgeous lady!
Any questions or comments for our lovely Amanda about The Big Smoke or where to pick up mid-century Scandinavian cheese plates? Comment below or on StyleSurround' s FB page www.facebook.com/stylesurround.
Come back for my next profile, Patti Aberhart from one of my favourite cities ever, Bristol! Ta-ta for now! x
1 comment:
To the person who commented on this post- I was trying to respond and say I agree with you; Amanda's style is real and funky without being pretentious or snobby. BUT I deleted your comment instead. Like an idiot. So, sorry bout that, but please do repost it if you come back! Thank you for taking the time to comment and I promise not to be so clumsy ne t time. xx
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