Why the ongoing love affair with vintage?
It’s just in my blood; I was born with it, and I’ll never shake it off – I can’t tell you why. It’s always been there. I love the stories, and I love the independence of it.
What qualities do you look for in a vintage garment?
I don’t buy anything stained. I look for quality, and I suppose the main question I ask myself is, ‘am I ACTUALLY going to wear this?’ And I look for originality; I look for which decade it is [from]. But, usually, it’s not really to do with thought. It’s so instinctive, and I assess it when I’ve had that instinctive feeling. I’ve had it so many times in my life, and it’s a very personal thing.
Where did you and your partner [photographer Tom Craig] go for your first date?
We’d met at parties [before], but it was Charlotte Tilbury’s birthday party [where we had] our first date. She had a big dinner party at Il Buco in New York.
Is shopping for vintage a skill, or do you think you just get a sense for certain pieces?
I think, like anything, it’s practice. I’m no more skilled at it than whoever else enjoys it, because you’re choosing things for yourself so there is no right or wrong. I’m quite fast, and I do spot good stuff, but my good stuff might not be your good stuff, so who’s to say? The nice thing is, who’s judging?
I’ve actually stolen this question from Cheap Date…. If you could be reincarnated as a piece of vintage clothing, what would it be?
Marlon Brando’s white T-shirt. Because he’s SO HOOOOOT…. Or, I would be the best pair of blue denim jeans, because I’d be worn a lot so I’d get out. I wouldn’t be stuck in someone’s wardrobe.