Photo by Alex de Mora
Insider Guide: How Stylist India Rose Does London Fashion Week
As a multihyphenate creative, India Rose is hard to pin a definition on. Between her site and her Instagram, her work is a mix of styling, photography, creative direction and lifestyle blogging, and she pulls her inspiration from street style, music, travel, and the runway. Her perspective is fresh and urban, and we knew she’d be the perfect source for an insiders’ take on how to do London fashion week. Read on for her favorite spots to recharge between shows, the up-and-coming designer she’s most excited about and how to get to the shows faster without Uber.
How do you plan your looks for London fashion week?
The most important part of dressing for me is to feel comfortable, and if I don’t feel good I probably don’t look good. If I’ve bought something new, I’ll work around it with combinations I know work well together. Otherwise I’ll just wear something I’ve worn before.
Where do you stop off between shows for a bite and to recharge?
Usually I grab whatever I can. When I have more time (so never) I’ll get a coffee at Flat White on Berwick Street or get something to eat at NOPI. It’s owned by Ottolenghi which is not far from my house in Islington. Best healthy eating spot in London, and they have the best cake.
If someone’s flying in for London Fashion Week, what’s your favorite hotel to recommend?
Town Hall Hotel. It’s in East but worth it. The Beaumont in Mayfair is beautiful too.
Best piece of advice for a London Fashion Week first-timer?
Drink lots of water, bring a portable phone charger, and if you’re pushing for time get a black cab rather than an Uber. It’ll be more expensive but black cabs can use bus lanes so you’ll get there faster.
What’s the one thing you should pack if you’re traveling to London for fashion week?
Probably an umbrella because it will probably rain.
What makes London fashion week distinct from New York, Paris and Milan?
It’s more relaxed here, and people seem to care a lot less about trends.
During the shows are you Instagramming, Snapchatting or living in the moment?
Watching through my eyes, not my lens. I can’t stand when people go to a show – any kind of show – and film the whole thing. I take a couple of shots if I’m there to cover it, but other than that I want to experience what’s in front of me.
Who are up-and-coming designers whose shows you’re excited to see?
Grace Wales Bonner. Her collections blur the lines of identity within cultures and gender, and there is emotion in her designs. You can tell she is well read, as her collections are dedicated to the complicated histories of immigration and ethnicity. From her casting to her campaign with Harley Weir and her work with Hans Ulrich Obrist, Grace is so much more than a fashion designer. And she’s 25!
