A Fashion Brand Owner Shares Her Little Black Book
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If I could only shop in one area, it would be SoHo in New York. Broome Street and Spring Street – that whole area where you can just wander and get lost – have such an incredible energy, and I always stumble across the best art galleries and restaurants nearby. I lived in NYC in my early 20s for a short time and remember buying these huge platform shoes in SoHo, convinced they were the best thing ever.
The most unusual shopping destination has to be Tokyo. Tokyu Hands is a huge store full of stuff you don’t need but end up buying anyway. Koenji is a whole neighbourhood full of vintage shops that you can lose a day in – Atlantis Vintage Tokyo and Trip Vintage are real gems. Golden Gai has over 200 tiny bars, each with around six seats and their own very specific vibe – they feel like stepping into someone’s little world. That’s Tokyo in a nutshell: every pocket of the city is doing its own thing, completely on its own terms.
The best concept store in the world is 10 Corso Como in Milan. The curation and atmosphere are incredible – they make shopping feel like a cultural experience rather than a transaction. I could spend hours there, wandering through the gallery, flipping through books and browsing the rails. The café and bar are also fantastic.
For independent stores, Paris is unmatched. Each district offers its own mix of boutiques and vintage stores. It’s impossible to do it all in one trip, so I always prioritise vintage. Nuovo, Les Archives, Chez Sarah and ReSee are my go-tos.
The best department stores are Le Bon Marché in Paris and Selfridges in London. Le Bon Marché has such a strong editorial feel. it never feels overwhelming, and always offers a brilliant mix of established designers and emerging brands. Selfridges has everything you could want under one roof. Growing up in London, I spent weekends window-shopping there and exploring Portobello Market.
An unexpected destination for great fashion is Berlin. It might not be entirely unexpected, but the city’s culture and counter-culture make it incredibly exciting. I lived there for a few years, and the designer vintage scene is taken seriously. Jil Sander, Ann Demeulemeester, Margiela – I’d always leave feeling like I’d found something truly special.
If I could only wear one brand again, of course it would have to be my own. Rat & Boa is a transeasonal label designed to take you through every occasion, holiday and season, so I’d be covered.
An under-the-radar brand I love is Ruslan Baginskiy. The creativity is so smart – hat bags you can wear as accessories, foldable hats you can throw in your bag. The design and art direction are incredibly considered.
For basics, I always turn to Tibi. They do understated essentials with a twist so well – never flashy, just thoughtful, chic and slightly androgynous. Everything works seamlessly with the rest of your wardrobe.
My go-to vintage store is Rellik on Golborne Road in West London. The best pieces go quickly, but if you time it right, you can find something amazing.
My favourite vintage piece I’ve ever bought is a pair of Chanel sunglasses with gold stars on them. Very 90s, verging on trashy, but I love them.
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My perfect shopping day starts with a strong coffee outside. Ideally I’d be in a new city with a friend. I love walking everywhere, as it’s the best way to discover something new. The day is always a balance of vintage and designer, high and low. I’m either hunting for that one piece I’ll obsess over or simple basics I can layer with my existing wardrobe. If something works with what I’m wearing that day, I’ll put it on straight away. There would be lunch with wine or a cocktail, then back out again, before heading home to get ready for dinner, wearing whatever I’ve found.
For repairs and alterations, I go to my Rat & Boa studio in London. We have a brilliant atelier team there, which I’m lucky to have on hand. Being quite petite, I almost always need things hemmed or adjusted.
A sustainable brand I’ve recently discovered is Róhe. I picked up the most beautiful cream jacket from Selfridges. The quality is exceptional. It’s one of those pieces you buy and immediately know you’ll keep in your wardrobe forever.
The best fashion gift I’ve ever given was a pair of The Row’s Teatime boots from Vestiaire Collective. They were unworn, in the most beautiful chocolate suede. I originally wanted them for myself, but they weren’t my size, so I bought them as a birthday gift for a friend instead.
The best fashion gift I’ve ever received is a Spinelli Kilcollin ring for my 30th birthday from my friend and business partner – a forever keepsake that feels both timeless and unique.
For people-watching, Ipanema Beach in Rio is unbeatable. You genuinely see everything – the energy, the colour, the confidence. It’s like nowhere else on Earth and never disappoints. It’s one of my all-time favourite places.
My favourite place to get coffee is Pasticceria Goretta dal 1929 in Florence. It’s family run, everything is baked in-house, and the combination of sweet pastry and bitter espresso is perfect. It feels like a daily ritual.
Some of the best restaurants in the world are in Florence. When friends or family visit, I always take them to Trattoria Cammillo in Santo Spirito. Unpretentious, great food, and an institution in every sense, it’s got a loud, enjoyably chaotic energy. You must book in advance. Il Santo Bevitore is another favourite. It’s a younger crowd here, great for people-watching, and on summer evenings everyone spills out onto the street
The coolest spots in Florence are Piazzale Michelangelo – at sunset the view over the city is stunning – and Sant’Ambrogio market for its energy and incredible produce.
For a hotel, I love Numeroventi in Florence. It’s a contemporary boutique hotel and artist residency that feels like a creative community rather than just somewhere to stay.
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