Oxfam turns 75 this month, and to celebrate we caught up with singer and fashion icon Paloma Faith to delve into her wardrobe and talk about the joys of finding a vintage treasure at a snip. Find out more about donating to Oxfam and helping to end poverty at oxfam.org.uk.
Vintage shopper Paloma Faith enjoyed finding clothing gems at Oxfam when she was starting out as a performer
You’re a big second-hand shopper. Why does this give you such a thrill? For one thing, the clothes of past decades often inspire the collections of the big fashion houses, so you can be more fashion-forward if you wear old things.
Also, we produce so much stuff all the time and we really don’t need to. It’s bad for the environment and unnecessary when you can reuse things.
I try to do this with everything, from my clothes to my baby’s toys.
Where and when did you find your favourite Oxfam treasure? I found this fabulous green checked shift dress at Oxfam in Dalston, London, several years ago.
Why does it mean so much to you? When I first started out as a performer I used to enjoy trying to get into parties that I hadn’t been invited to. I’d find expensive-looking, one-off pieces in Oxfam, such as this dress, that made me look as though I was wearing a cool label, which meant that I could just walk in!
Your favourite memory of wearing it? At an art opening in Shoreditch with loads of famous artists such as Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst.
People knew I was a singer and Tracey’s boyfriend offered me £10 to perform a song for her birthday. I threw the note in his face, sang the song and said to her, ‘This is for you, not your boyfriend – you can’t buy this.’
Brora x Teatum Jones
Two of our favourite British brands – Brora and LFW highlight Teatum Jones – are uniting this week to keep us both toasty and stylish.
Inspired by the life of Issy Tennant (an artist and sister of supermodel Stella), the quirky knitwear collection is filled with references to her life, work and (perhaps most importantly) her dogs. Sure to brighten up those dreary days to come. Available from Wednesday, brora.co.uk.
Check out the Brora x Teatum Jones collaboration from Wednesday
The quirky knitwear collaboration between Teatum Jones and Brora is filled with references to Issy Tennant’s life – and even her dogs
WEAR WHERE
Check into London’s five-star Great Northern Hotel for an indulgent night in
Who doesn’t love a sleepover? Especially when it involves a girl’s night in at London’s five-star Great Northern Hotel. A double room for two includes a pair of Desmond & Dempsey pyjamas, two signature cocktails served with snacks, and a champagne brunch. £280 per person, gnhlondon.com.
The perfect boardroom-to-bar baubles from the latest covetable collaboration: NECKLACE, £115, and BRACELET, £50, both LK Bennett x Swarovski, from Wednesday, lkbennett.com