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Love to Love: Part Five

Sarah Akwisombe

Welcome to Love to Love - a series of interviews with top women we love to love, about all the stuff they love to love.

Today we meet Sarah Akwisombe - the straight-talking interior stylist with a penchant for monochrome alongside bold colour pops.

You’ll have no doubt seen the fresh interiors Sarah shares creation of in her own Croydon home, lusted after her streetwear influenced style, and even spotted her and the fam in that festive Ebay TV ad. But, what you may not know is that Sarah is a bonafide popstar, who helped pioneer Grime music as alter ego GoldieLocks. Yes, really! Oh - and she has set up her own training programme, brilliantly named, the No Bull Blog School. You really should check it out... But for now, let’s find out more...

How would you describe your style?

I’d say my look is quite pop, but with a bit of humour to it - so irreverent basically. My clothes are always very casual, but in a put-together way. I love pastels at the moment - and am also coveting anything textured, preferably fluffy or at least stroke-able!

What’s your dream dinner party line up if you only had three chairs to fill?

I’d have to have my husband there - so we could tick off a nice dinner date at the same time, which is something we’re always trying to find time for (and a babysitter!). Plus he’d be excited to meet the same people as me anyway. I reckon we’d invite Tyler the Creator and… Jennifer Lawrence. I feel like I should say someone mega intelligent, but I don’t know any intelligent people... I reckon that would be a good group anyway - and most importantly we’d have fun.

Where’s your favourite place to visit and why?

I went to Austin Texas for a festival thing when I was making music. It was great weather, obviously, but also just felt like a really cool music scene. And the food is amazing. Loads of barbeques, sauced ribs and stuff like that. It’s somewhere I’ve always felt like I didn’t explore properly, so I would love to go back. Although that said, I’m also desperate to go to Japan. We’re saving up for a trip at the moment in fact. I feel like it’s going to be my spirit animal of countries.

Where do you get your style inspo from?

I don’t really look to fashion stuff. I don’t read fashion magazines or follow that kind of thing, but I really like counterculture - and  street-style. I also like to like look back in history for retro and vintage inspiration. I prefer indie brands if possible, but then the obvious like Nike for trainers and stuff.  It’s great when a little funny independent brand pops up on Instagram or something. I just found one that makes these t-shirts of chicken chubs, and I was like, yeah, I need that. I like things that are just a bit silly and don’t take themselves too seriously.

What does jewellery mean to your style?

I think it is a really good way to finish off a look. Because I dress really casual and wear baggy oversize men’s stuff, it’s a nice way to add some glam. I use it to make my outfits quite feminine - and to show I’ve made an effort basically. Otherwise, I could just look like I’m rolling up in my tracksuit, which is a bit dodgy in some circumstances. But if I rock up in a tracksuit with some blingy jewellery, people are confused and assume it’s a fashion look. So then I can totally get away with the tracksuit…

So what is your favourite piece of the Milk Tooth range?

I don’t have my ears pierced, so I’m all about the vintage clip-ons. I’ve got a couple of amazing pairs from Milk Tooth that I love. Normally anything chunky and gold is good for me. From the new range though, my favourites are the Women earrings. I like that they’re quite different to the other stuff that you guys have done before - and they’re quite different for me too, because I usually like geometric straight lines. But with these, I’m loving the fluidity - and it has a slightly retro feel as well. 

Love to Love: Part Four

Just a uniform

Welcome to Love to Love - a series of interviews with top women we love to love, about all the stuff they love to love.

Today we meet Siobhan Maroney aka Just a Uniform - the multi-coloured fashion blogger representing for Kent and leaving a trail of glitter wherever she goes.

You’ll have no doubt seen her honest blogs and daringly experimental fashion mash ups. But what you may not know, is that Siobhan used to be a teacher and counts her an envy-inducing ‘Bachelorette’ party in Las Vegas (gurl gang goals) as a true highlight of her past few years. Let’s find out more...

How would you describe your style?
More is more, less is bore - a phrase I live by! Clearly I’m a bit of a magpie, but I also love making fashion playful - breaking rules, mixing things up, experimenting basically. It has to be joyful!
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What’s your dream dinner party line up if you only had three chairs to fill?
First off, Prince, definitely. Just because he’s an all-around genius of course - musically talented and also in the style stakes. I love how daring he always was. The second place would go to Iris Apfel. She’s the reason that I started my blog and I am absolutely inspired by her. For the final seat, I’m going to go with the blogging style queen Megan Ellaby. I think her style is everything - and she’s just the nicest human.
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Where’s your favourite place to visit and why?
I’m going to be controversial and insist on saying two! My favourite city is Berlin. I go there every single year. I got engaged there and it holds so many great memories. It’s a really, really creative place, where you’re allowed to be who you are. And it feels really free because of that. One place I’d definitely recommend checking out if you go is Kreuzberg for it’s nightlife, vintage shops and amazing Turkish food. The other place is somewhere I haven’t even been yet, but I’ve been obsessed since I was in primary school! And that’s Japan - for all the crazy visual stimulation and a total change in surroundings - I love the fashion, the food, everything.
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Where do you get your style inspo from?
The streets - just literally people-watching, I like my magazines, but I don’t really follow trends. Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of trends in my wardrobe for sure, but they are there because I genuinely like them. Mainly I love observing and enjoy walking around shops and seeing what’s going on. I try to go to fashion weeks and like getting inspiration from there, but equally, I just think it’s great to just see what everyday people are doing. For me it’s mainly bloggers who are leading the way - and that’s where I see the most style. A couple of people I'd recommend to follow are @nicolekayclark and @tezzamb
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What does jewellery mean to your style?
Last year I didn’t make a new year’s resolution, but my pledge to myself was to accessorize more! Basically because I always felt that my accessories game wasn’t quite up with my clothes game - so during 2017 I was really going for it - and now I get so many comments about my accessories and jewellery, especially my Milk Tooth London earrings! Loads of people stop me and ask me about them. Jewellery can complete a look, or make a look, so I love its flexibility.
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Tell us about the earrings you’re wearing now?
For me I love The Cloud - how statement they are basically! They are a bit out there and really suit my style. But also gold, pink and red is the best colour combination!

Love to Love: Part One

Bluebell WooiWelcome to Love to Love - a series of interviews with top women we love to love, about all the stuff they love to love.

Kicking off with Bluebell Wooi (yes that is her real name) - the model whose face you'll recognise off billboards all across the tube, Aston Martin's TV ad and that risque Rankin snogfest video.

What you may not know, is that Bluebell is a south London girl with heritage including south east Asian and Irish, and a quirky background that has born a confident young woman proud of her rebellious streak, passionate about Pussy Riot and with a cat named Truffles. Let's find out more...

How would you describe your style?

It's a totally mixed bag. I really like some street style stuff, but then also have lots of vintage - so all sorts really. I got that approach from my Mum because she dresses really crazy, in a good way! When I was a baby I had little leopard print DM boots. (*cool Mum alert*)

What’s your dream dinner party line up with just three chairs to fill?

Russell Brand definitely. Also Flight of the Concords - if I’m allowed to make them share a chair (*oh, go on then*). I’m then torn between inviting a hot a man with a Scottish accent (which would be Richard Madden if so - or Simon from Biffy Clyro... or all of Biffy Clyro) or another funny guy… But I think funny will always win for me, so I’ll choose Julian Barratt.

Where’s your favourite place to visit and why?

Malaysia - and Penang in particular. I have family there and have been going for years, so it just has really nice associations and memories. Check it out! (*going on the list, right now...*)

Where do you get your style inspo from?

Instagram. I follow quite a few weird feeds rather than just lots of fashion people. I love the crazy visual illusions on @popmyeyes and for more fashion stuff @lovers&drifters has really cool style.

What’s your go-to item of clothing to make you feel totally awesome?

I have a pair of Vagabond boots with a massive platform. They work with anything and make me stand tall and feel strong. 

And finally, tell us about the earrings you're wearing!

I love the colours and the retro feel of the pattern. Milk Tooth earrings are totally different to other stuff out there. That's why I like them. (*Nicely said Bluebell!!*)

Now, get your own pair, right here x

*Editor's notes