Get dressed with Laura Bailey
Model, photographer, designer and all-round Renaissance woman LAURA BAILEY never fails to delight with her eccentric style. Here are her secrets to crafting a covetable closet…
Find your place
“I am such a London girl; I bike everywhere and my eyes are always wide open. I’m definitely more inspired by the things I see on the street as opposed to trends. The city is my number one inspiration; it has so much spirit. I’m also really lucky to be surrounded by so many incredible women, such as my friends Bella Freud and Amanda Harlech, whose style influences me endlessly. With Amanda, that doesn’t just mean Chanel couture – she also looks amazing on the farm and when we’re on our travels together. She has this way of putting unexpected things together, like an Edwardian blouse and a pair of track pants, that just sends your mind spinning. For me, style isn’t just about the clothes you wear, it’s married with personality and intelligence – I’m seduced by the whole package.”
Be memorable
“I recently got my first proper jewelry box, and the ritual of going through the pieces I keep in various tins and bowls was extraordinary – they really brought me back to special times in my life. There are a few pieces I have already earmarked for my daughter. I have an amazing Chanel star ring that I got when I first started modeling and had just moved to New York. However, it isn’t just the designer or price that makes a piece precious. When I was a child, my dad literally dug up a ring that was buried in the garden and I wore it throughout my entire childhood and twenties, and I’m still nostalgic about getting my ears pierced for the first time. I’ve only just decided to call time on my tradition of getting a new piercing every time I go to New York – my kids have banned me!”
Play favorites
“One of my biggest crushes right now is new label Les Girls Les Boys. I love the whole sporty lingerie thing, plus the pieces are great for layering. I wear my bodysuit under everything. Another piece I’ve been wearing constantly is a polka-dot dress that Alexa Chung gave me, it’s amazing. You can dress it up for the evening, but it also looks great with a big sweater. I’m obsessed with Simone Rocha’s whole aesthetic, I’ve been wearing her embellished hair slides constantly, and Emilia Wickstead is my go-to for red-carpet events – I love her precision and flattering cuts. In terms of jewelry, Roxanne Assoulin and Sophie Bille Brahe have really caught my eye, and I am a long-time admirer of Pippa Small, not just because of her beautiful jewelry but her whole ethos. The fantasy piece on my wish list this season is a gold sequin dress from Prada – it took my breath away the moment I saw it.”
Dress for the occassion
“I love the role play of fashion and how transformative it can be to wear a fairy-tale dress, but I am also a natural tomboy and relish throwing on hiking boots or tennis gear. As a result, my style is a really eclectic mix of practical and playful – I find the contradiction really compelling. The idea of a uniform appeals to me, but I am definitely more of a spontaneous dresser; I enjoy matching the challenges of my day with my clothes. When I’m behind the camera, I love the utilitarian look or my Frame jumpsuits, usually worn under a big faux fur coat. My approach to jewelry and accessorizing is the same. I love to subvert expectations by dressing down statement pieces with denim for daytime, but on the flip side, there is something really special about the ritual of getting ready for a night out and putting on my most precious jewels.”
Be yourself
“I’m lucky to have really long, healthy hair but I do get a lot of help from my friend Josh Wood, he’s been coloring it for years. Aside from the odd mask, I am not a product person, however I do make an exception for Sam McKnight’s Cool Girl spray – I love the scruffy texture it creates. When it comes to beauty, I’m very low maintenance. When I’m not on a shoot or walking the red carpet, I like to keep it really simple; above all, I just want healthy skin. I love La Mer products, they’re a real lifesaver, especially during winter. I don’t feel the need to be perfect, I love showing off my freckles and I even like the shadows under my eyes – they’re signs of character.”
Come together
“Sheherazade [Goldsmith] and I have been friends for years, and over supper one evening we came up with Loquet London – we just loved the idea of creating a modern locket that you could personalize to create something truly unique. The driving force was the idea of making jewelry that helps to create memories. We knew that we were onto something when word spread and all our friends began to make orders immediately; it became a serious business quite quickly. I wear my locket every day – it has my kid’s initials plus a little moon and star charm, and I recently added a St Christopher medal that a friend gave me. It’s always changing. I’ve given all my godchildren their first locket; it feels like a really precious gift.”
The people featured in this story are not associated with NET-A-PORTER and do not endorse it or the products shown.