Stylish Girls To Have On Your Radar: Chiara's Atelier

I always joke about my style. I say I’m like a grandad who loves suits, oversized shirts and jumpers with a good pair of brogues or loafers. Then this grandad turns into a drag queen and enjoys some sequins, lamé, fun shoes and a mini bag or two! Let’s say I’m classic with a fun twist.

I used to love a neutral colour palette. At one point my wardrobe was just black, navy, grey, with a sprinkle of white and black. It was a little depressing especially with the miserable weather we have in London, so I added a splash of colour and it really brightened up my mood. A simple tip is to add some fun and colour with your accessories. That way it’s not too much of a commitment. 

Mara Drawn Cocoon Coat, £118.15 (was £249) | Whistles
Brown Embroidered Cotton-blend Velvet Mini Skirt, £295 | Chloé
Block Knee-High Boots, £26 (were £49.50) | Marks & Spencer
 

My number one style rule is make sure your clothes fit properly - you should always be aware of the proportion of your clothes. But also don’t take it too seriously, have some fun with whatever you wear and show your personality through your style. 

When it comes to fashion I say never say never, but at the moment you wouldn’t catch me in neon and tie dye. I also wouldn’t wear blue eyeshadow. I’m still suffering from a blue eyeshadow incident that happened when I was 18. I’m scarred.

If I could afford to buy everything from Dior I would. It’s is so simple, classic and gorgeously feminine. The silhouettes of their clothes are so flattering too. And for shoes it has to be Manolo Blahnik. Do I need to say any more about these beautifully crafted Princess shoes? 

Oversized Blouson Sleeve Mini Dress, £165 | ASOS
Hangisi 105 Fuchsia Silk Satin Pumps, £775 | Manolo Blahnik

& Other Stories is my favourite place to shop on the high street. The pieces they produce are so classic and never really go out of style. The quality is amazing too. Some of the favourite pieces in my wardrobe are from there, I have a few blazers I would be lost without.

My best purchases of 2019 have to be the bodysuits from Zara. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley made them famous and they are a good foundation for any look. I also finally got a pair of flared jeans from Paige. I have worn them so much, they have become a staple for me. In the end of year sales I managed to nab some good items for my wardrobe: a camel peacoat from Whistles. a pair of emerald green Manolo Blahniks and a bright pink Chloe C cross-body bag. 

Eloise Funnel Neck 2-In-1 Dress, £94 (was £188) | All Saints
Keep Up Stiletto Knee Boots, £70 (was £129) | Office
Saddle Bag In Black Calfskin, £2,450 | Dior
 ​I am a creature of habit. I fall into cycles when it comes to my clothes and there are three things I have lived in. My leopard puffer jacket from Gap - it was a rogue purchase but it has been the most practical - my camel Whistles coat and a pair of criss-cross jeans from Agolde.

Berry. Skirt, £99 (was £165) | ba&sh
We The Free Clarity Ringer T-Shirt, £32 | Free People
Hangisi 105 Fuchsia Pink Silk Satin Pumps, £775 | Manolo Blahnik
Blazer | The Level Store

These are some fabulous girls I love to follow on Instagram. 

They all have their own personal styles and it inspires me to pull things out from my wardrobe.

@smashelybell Ashley has such a fun LA style, I love that she really wears all her clothes and doesn’t save things for best.

@tamara Tamara is the queen of luxury fashion. It is very aspirational, but not unrelatable. She is just so stylish and effortless. She puts together looks with such ease and also puts colours together in a unique way. 

@slipintostyle Ellie’s Instagram is a ray of sunshine. It is filled with colourful pieces and prints while still being chic and stylish.

@annarvitiello Anna is so glamorous - she makes me want to find a fabulous party in Paris. 

@thesilksneaker Shloka is the epitome of laid-back luxury style. All her looks are fabulous, and she is the Queen of accessorizing. She makes me want to pull out all of mine and wear them more.

@meganellaby Megan has great personal style, it’s eclectic and fun. I love how she mixes prints and colour. She has a very different personal style to me but I love how she styles things. 

My favourite outfit from this shoot is the gold skirt, oversized blazer and pink shoes. It’s the most “me” outfit. I love a bit of sparkle and glitz with some good old basics. It was my favourite look of 2019, and actually came about in a rush – sometimes those are the best.

Iris Apfel is my number one style icon. She is what I want to be when I grow up. She has so much fun with the way she dresses and that’s what fashion is about. It shouldn’t be taken so seriously. It’s nice to see someone have fun with colour and texture and also have a sense of humour about it. As she says “life is grey and dull; you might as well have a little fun when you dress.”