A Girl, a style…
Briony Whitehouse or simply ‘Miss B’ is an Australian blogger who divides her time between London and Cambridge sharing the cities’ fashion inspirations.
By day, a senior political advisor, she takes her passion for fashion everywhere she goes – You will probably find her writing speeches in 4” heels!
True to her style, the political advisor-fashion blogger, Miss B, has been awarded the ‘Best New Fashion Blogger’ by Cosmopolitan Magazine. We met up with her in our London office to learn more about her look as well as the fashion differences between her home-country and the UK.
So take your coffee, sit down and find out more about this woman who enchanted us with her charm and down-to-earth way of living.
1. In your blog you talk a lot about staying true to your own style. How would you describe your fashion style?
'It’s somewhere between hyper-feminine and collegiate preppy, depending on the city and the season. I’m influenced by everything from the early 60s Hollywood to French It girls and Oxbridge intellectuals. I’m drawn towards chic, feminine pieces that can take me from a 7am Eurostar to Brussels and back, and then straight out to dinner somewhere glamorous back in London in the evening, but always teamed with something a little cheeky or whimsical to make it my own.'
2. Has living in the UK contributed to this style maturity? Have you incorporated any European styles into your wardrobe?
'Whilst my tastes haven’t changed that much, the climate and lifestyle definitely demand a different wardrobe. For a start, I now need to own coats and serious winter layers – something I never needed in Australia! So whilst I’ll always be drawn to the sort of dresses made for the relaxed summer lifestyle in Australia, I now also collect coats, sweaters, scarves, boots and more preppy, tailored styles that will work year-round in England.'
3. What would you say are the major differences between Australian fashion and British fashion?
'Whereas British fashion really excels at the High Street and high-end designs, I think Australia really owns the mid-range market. Wonderful brands like Zimmermann, Lover, Camilla & Marc, Ellery, and more who are doing everyday, wearable luxury so well at an accessible price point.'
4. Which designers are you inspired by?
'I love designers like Miuccia Prada and Karl Lagerfeld, so I’m an avid Miu Miu and Chanel fan. I also love everything Valentino and Gucci are doing right now. For everyday wear, Carven, Zimmermann and Temperley London always make clothes that feel luxurious but still work for the demands of my schedule. For accessories, I have an ongoing love affair with Anya Hindmarch and Charlotte Olympia for pieces that are fun and a little bit silly, but still somehow chic and classic at the same time.'
5. You have a passion for vintage - who is your go-to designer for vintage clothing and jewels?
'I love collecting vintage pieces; there’s always that thrill of the find when you come across something just right, and they add a unique element to your wardrobe. I don’t think you can ever go wrong with accessories – Chanel jewellery is my favourite to collect and it always holds its value and quality well. Otherwise look for great, timeless bags or blouses that can be easily incorporated into a modern-day wardrobe.'
6. How do you balance your day job as a senior political advisor with the demands of a digital influencer?
'I wish I could say it’s with great ease, but truthfully it’s usually a hustle. I work long hours in my day job, so I squeeze in emails and blog admin on the commute and blog late at night or on weekends. I now take Fridays off to work on the blog, which means I can schedule in meetings with brands and PRs and take outfit photos in daylight hours (otherwise an impossible feat in winter when you work full time).'
7. What is your outfit staple that will keep you fashionable and comfortable during a busy day?
'My Chanel bag. It is classic, chic and goes with literally every outfit in my wardrobe and makes me look pulled-together even if I’m just wearing jeans and a tee. More importantly, it fits all my essentials; wallet, phone, sunglasses, lipstick, and spare jewellery for desk-to-dinner transformations.'
8. If you want to make a bold style statement, which designer do you go for and what is ‘the one piece’?
'For clothes, RED Valentino is always my go-to for a fun party dress that makes a statement, but is always classic (I have several in my wardrobe that I wear season after season). For statement making shoes, it has to be Louboutin, always. They’re usually taxi-only shoes (i.e. not for walking all over town in), but they make me feel a little more fabulous instantly.'
9. Talking about ‘The One’, why do you think Farfetch is The One shopping destination?
'I love that I can shop all my favourite designer labels in one place, whilst also finding hard-to-come-by styles (like whimsical dresses from Vivetta, one of my favourite independent labels) from small boutiques around the world.'
10. What are your favourite trends for the season?
'To be honest, I don’t tend to pay much attention to trends these days. Instead, I prefer to just update my wardrobe with a few new pieces that I know I will love for years to come and which won’t look horribly passé in two years. That said, I do love that feminine maximalism (thank you, Marc Jacobs and Gucci), romantic ruffles, and pink – are having a serious moment.'
11. Last but not least; what words of wisdom would you share with other fashion lovers?
'Buy little, but buy the best quality you can afford. If it doesn’t make your pulse quicken, it’s not worth your money or your wardrobe space.'