They say absence makes the heart grow fonder? Well, after what feels like a looong summer of festivals, weekends away, holidays to the most beautiful Greek Islands (Santorini, I'm looking at you) and time spent with our families - we are back!
I'm so excited to share this latest edition on our blog as we've both been wanting to have a nosy in this fabulous ladies wardrobe since we began following her on Instagram ages ago. If you've yet to aquaint yourself with Deborah, let me tell you that she is the epitome of cool, we love everything about her from her vintage filled closet to her down to earth instagram stories. I think you could say we are fan girling!
As Second Hand September rolls around again, I think Deborah's ethos is the perfect way to encourage us all to be more conscious with our shopping.
Lets dive in, we introduce to you....Deborah Sheridan-Taylor Designs
Tell us what you do?
I’m a stylist, but I have a different perspective to other stylists.
My focus isn’t just about how about we look, but about how the way that we look, and how we emotionally feel about the way that we look, affects our mental health for better or worse. Our perception of our appearance affects our everyday functioning and performance, in both our business and personal life, in significant ways and that’s where I seek to add real value and create real, lasting change. Remember that feeling that you had that time that you felt your absolute best about the way you look and it positively affected every aspect of your day. Now imagine feeling like that every day, that’s what I’m all about creating.
I was an actress, and when creating a character’s wardrobe, the primary purpose of the clothes that the character wears is to communicate an unspoken aspect of that character to the audience… be it a power-broker, seductress, soccer-mom, etc. and your wardrobe can and should be no different… So, one of the first questions I ask my clients is what do they want their clothes to communicate? What does, or rather would they want, their brand to communicate? What story do you want to tell today?
Describe your personal style?
I would describe my personal style as masculine (with a small M). It’s definitely dictated by my mood, as I always try to find ways to express how I feel, or aspects of my personality and what I want to communicate through my style. Therefore, it changes from day-to-day, from client to client, as I always like to demonstrate element’s of how I style my clients and the direction I’m going to take them.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
Um, for me I’d say always Deborah Harry, for so many obvious reasons, but literally my greatest, timeless style icon ever, since I was a kid. Kate Moss, for her utter originality, always wearing vintage and her innate ability to wear anything and always make it totally her own. Tilda Swinton for her effortless elegance and ability to reduce a red carpet look, all the way down to a white cotton full length shirt dress, (Alaia), with a black blazer worn over her shoulders and no make up, just a red lip and absolutely 100 percent nail it!
How often do you shop?
Every single day and I wish I was joking but, whoever said, "Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life” was absolutely right!
What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas?
For some reason I have a bit of a penchant for shiny vinyl clothing! Trousers, pencil skirts, shirts...I now hopefully feel I've identified this weakness in myself and will try and curb the urge in the future.
What's the one piece you always buy every single single?
A new pair of jeans, for me this is the cornerstone to every new season. I just purchased a pair of Meryll Rogge oversized 70’s jeans and I’m ready for AW22!
What's the item you are guaranteed to wear at least once a week?
Refer to the last answer. I’m always most happy and feel myself in a pair of jeans.
Jumper or jacket?
Jacket, I’m not a jumper person! If I do wear one, it’ll be a chunky one and on a day when I can get away without wearing a jacket!
What are your favourite 'go to' brands?
I have always bought secondhand first, ALWAYS, so what ever brands I love, I will always look for the secondhand options first. Currently I’m loving all the oversized suiting at Helmut Lang, for it’s simplistic wearable tailoring, Christopher Kane for all those more flamboyant pieces (to accommodate my mood swings) and Dodo Bar Or for quirky and comfortable knitwear.
What's your weekend style?
Normally a pair of oversized joggers and a vintage sweatshirt!
How has your style changed over the years?
My style hasn’t really changed that much over the years, I think it’s always remained somewhere in the same region. I still wear vintage blouses I’ve had for over 20 years and cool oversized trousers, from prior to having kids, that I’m still enjoying. My theory is, that styles come and go as do trends, but our bodies and what actually suits us, pretty much remains the same, it just needs tweaking and items need replacing, in order to keep it current and relevant.
What's your most treasured item?
I have an Alexander McQueen Givenchy Couture grey wool blazer and a wishbone gold ring of my mothers.
Signature scent?
I’m currently wearing Calvin Klein Contradiction, it’s the perfect scent for me. I’m also currently in love with Off-White No. 2 eau de parfum, which is insanely delicious, but with a much higher price point!
Song on repeat?
Billie Eilish, The 30th.
Must read book?
Get out of My Life, But First Take Me & Alex into Town! The connecting cable to my teenage daughters!
What's on your bedside table?
A mirrored tray which was my mothers, filled with framed photographs of my family.
Whose wardrobe do you covet?