"You don't love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear," said Oscar Wilde. The British are a famously eclectic bunch—stylistically and beyond. Picked for their irreverence and individualism, here are the city's new wave of women whose style we're endlessly inspired by.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MORGANE LAY & JONNY COCHRANE
NAME:
The Bloom Twins i.e. Anna and Sonya Kuprienko
OCCUPATION:
Music (and all the rest that comes with it—styling, photography, acting).
LOCATION:
Marylebone
YOU'RE NOT BRITISH, BUT WHAT'S THE MOST BRITISH THING ABOUT YOU?
We’re originally from Ukraine but the most British thing about us is our music taste. It’s dark yet exciting, underground yet catchy. We think that’s how we found our style in music—the “dark pop” mix of different genres, where the opposites meet.
AND THE LEAST BRITISH THING ABOUT YOU?
Communicating with people. We have a very direct way of talking to people.
WHEN YOU GET DRESSED, HOW DO YOU WANT TO FEEL?
Anna: I love monochrome colors and odd, futuristic shapes. I tend to go for darker clothes to make me feel grounded, calm and always confident. I’m often told that I look like a girl from "The Matrix". Sonya is very good at finding pieces that I wouldn’t even think about wearing—clothes not everyone could pull off, but she definitely does.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE BRITISH STYLE AND HOW IS YOUR STYLE SIMILAR OR DIFFERENT (AND FROM EACH OTHER)?
British style to me is everything plus Dr. Martens. It’s a mix of sophisticated and edgy. I reckon we are very British when it comes to style—we love the mix of the opposites.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BRITISH SLANG?
It’s not slang, but the word “indeed.” We love the sound of it and the fact that you could use it to answer anything.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER?
When it’s raining in London, all the time.
EAST LONDON OR WEST LONDON?
Anna: East.
Sonya: West.
NAME:
Anna Shaffer
OCCUPATION:
Actress and crisp enthusiast (specifically: Doritos Chilli Heatwave).
LOCATION:
Hackney
THE MOST BRITISH THING ABOUT YOU?
Even though I was born here, I’m not technically that British—my parents are both South African. My mom is mixed race and my dad is Jewish—but that’s what Britain means to me, especially London. It’s diverse and culturally rich.
WHO'S YOUR ULTIMATE BRITISH STYLE ICON?
Sarah Harris, Deputy Editor of British Vogue is faultlessly chic. I am in a WhatsApp group that is essentially just screen grabbing pictures from her Instagram. We covet her entire life.
WHEN YOU GET DRESSED, HOW DO YOU WANT TO FEEL?
Sexy and powerful. I wish I could dress minimally, but it just does nothing for my body.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD IN LONDON?
London Fields. Negronis at The Spurstowe Arms after a swim in the lido (outdoor swimming pool) and then dinner at Hill & Szrok on Broadway Market. I’m from North London originally, but now that I’ve migrated to Hackney, I don’t think I’ll ever leave.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE BRITISH STYLE AND HOW IS YOUR STYLE SIMILAR OR DIFFERENT?
I think Brits are definitely a bit more anarchic than most with their style, the look is less “done” and I think there’s charm in that. My mantra is more is more. I love a bit of fluff. I think it was Dolly Parton who said “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap,” and she’s right!
WHICH DECADE OF LONDON DO YOU ASSOCIATE WITH MOST?
I think I would have a lot of fun stomping around in Dr. Martens in the ‘70s. My first pair of boots my mom ever put me in were a bright red snakeskin pair of DM’s.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE THAT TAKES PLACE IN ENGLAND?
"3 Men and a Little Lady." Tom Selleck roaming through the countryside to stop Sylvia from marrying Edward and getting accidentally seduced by Fiona Shaw in an English girls’ boarding school. Iconic.
BEATLES OR ROLLING STONES?
I’m named after the Beatles song “Anna (Go to Him)” on the "Please Please Me" album, so I think my dad would kill me if I didn’t say the Beatles!
Hackney
THE MOST BRITISH THING ABOUT YOU?
Even though I was born here, I’m not technically that British—my parents are both South African. My mom is mixed race and my dad is Jewish—but that’s what Britain means to me, especially London. It’s diverse and culturally rich.
WHO'S YOUR ULTIMATE BRITISH STYLE ICON?
Sarah Harris, Deputy Editor of British Vogue is faultlessly chic. I am in a WhatsApp group that is essentially just screen grabbing pictures from her Instagram. We covet her entire life.
WHEN YOU GET DRESSED, HOW DO YOU WANT TO FEEL?
Sexy and powerful. I wish I could dress minimally, but it just does nothing for my body.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD IN LONDON?
London Fields. Negronis at The Spurstowe Arms after a swim in the lido (outdoor swimming pool) and then dinner at Hill & Szrok on Broadway Market. I’m from North London originally, but now that I’ve migrated to Hackney, I don’t think I’ll ever leave.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE BRITISH STYLE AND HOW IS YOUR STYLE SIMILAR OR DIFFERENT?
I think Brits are definitely a bit more anarchic than most with their style, the look is less “done” and I think there’s charm in that. My mantra is more is more. I love a bit of fluff. I think it was Dolly Parton who said “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap,” and she’s right!
WHICH DECADE OF LONDON DO YOU ASSOCIATE WITH MOST?
I think I would have a lot of fun stomping around in Dr. Martens in the ‘70s. My first pair of boots my mom ever put me in were a bright red snakeskin pair of DM’s.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE THAT TAKES PLACE IN ENGLAND?
"3 Men and a Little Lady." Tom Selleck roaming through the countryside to stop Sylvia from marrying Edward and getting accidentally seduced by Fiona Shaw in an English girls’ boarding school. Iconic.
BEATLES OR ROLLING STONES?
I’m named after the Beatles song “Anna (Go to Him)” on the "Please Please Me" album, so I think my dad would kill me if I didn’t say the Beatles!
NAME(S):
Elnaz, Golnaz, and Tanaz Hakkak a.k.a. "The Triplets"
OCCUPATION:
Visual communicators and influencers
LOCATION:
Finchley
THE MOST BRITISH THING ABOUT YOU?
Elnaz: Scones and afternoon tea.
Golnaz: Obsession with coats and trenches.
Tanaz: Profusely saying sorry.
LEAST BRITISH THING ABOUT YOU?
Late dinners.
WHO'S YOUR ULTIMATE BRITISH STYLE ICON?
Tanaz: Kate Moss
Elnaz: Princess Diana
Golnaz: Agyness Deyn
HOW DOES YOUR STYLE DIFFER?
Our style can best be described as: Elnaz is New York Fashion Week, Golnaz is London Fashion Week and Tanaz is Paris Fashion Week.
WHAT'S THE BEST SEASON TO VISIT LONDON IN?
The Christmas holiday is the best but madness!
CHELSEA OR SHOREDITCH?
Chelsea
CHIPS OR CRISPS?
Chips
THE MOST BRITISH THING ABOUT YOU?
Elnaz: Scones and afternoon tea.
Golnaz: Obsession with coats and trenches.
Tanaz: Profusely saying sorry.
LEAST BRITISH THING ABOUT YOU?
Late dinners.
WHO'S YOUR ULTIMATE BRITISH STYLE ICON?
Tanaz: Kate Moss
Elnaz: Princess Diana
Golnaz: Agyness Deyn
HOW DOES YOUR STYLE DIFFER?
Our style can best be described as: Elnaz is New York Fashion Week, Golnaz is London Fashion Week and Tanaz is Paris Fashion Week.
WHAT'S THE BEST SEASON TO VISIT LONDON IN?
The Christmas holiday is the best but madness!
CHELSEA OR SHOREDITCH?
Chelsea
CHIPS OR CRISPS?
Chips