The Birthday Edit by Emily Fitch Miller
My latest project has enabled me to team up with the wonderful Emily Fitch Miller.
A font of knowledge when it comes to all things fashion, her career has spanned over thirty five years in the fashion industry working as an Editor, Stylist, Art Director, Brand Director, and Fashion Consultant.
After bumping into each other at a few events we got planning, and sat down for a coffee and a chat.
How did your journey into the fashion industry begin?
I began my career in the exciting world of fashion magazines, working at Cosmopolitan as a fashion assistant and GQ magazine as a Fashion Editor.
After five years there, I left to become a freelance stylist and was then hired to be a fashion editor at Mirabella magazine in New York. It was here I went on to forge a successful career as a freelance Stylist and Art Director working for many of the major iconic American retail brands, such as J Crew, Gap, Banana Republic, Revlon, Bloomingdales, and Victoria's Secrets, whilst also styling for celebrities and editorial shoots.
For the last twelve years I have worked as a Creative Art Director, overseeing and executing creative photo shots that define and grow fashion and beauty brands. In 2021, I pivoted into social media and working as a content creator, showcasing timeless and ageless style from ethical and responsible fashion brands that align with my values.
How would you describe your personal style?
My style is quite classic and timeless, always elegant, I think, with a feminine signature and nod to modern styling with a masculine edge.
What’s been your inspiration in creating the AF Jewellery Edit?
I love using jewellery to add personality and a signature style handwriting to my outfits. Gold and pearls are my signature go-to pieces and I particularly love them in the summer sunshine. I love the contrast of the lustre of pearls mixed with the hard gold metal, and I fell in love with Alison's designs in pearl and gold; they feel modern and wearable but unique with a touch of playfulness.
I wanted to share these four pieces that will add a beautiful touch to any outfit, casual or dressed up, and that can be worn alone or mix and match an earring and necklace. There are no rules!
If you could raid someone else’s wardrobe, whose would it be?
Maybe someone like Emmanuelle Alt, the former Vogue fashion Director, or Jenna Lyons as her style whilst at J Crew really shaped the modern way of dressing, along with Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.
However, I think it's also more interesting to look at the wardrobe of an incredible working costume designer, and I was lucky enough to visit the set a few times of my husband's amazing recent Disney series 'A Thousand Blows’. I got to spend time in the wardrobe department where the costume designer Maja had the most incredible rails of Victorian pieces, the designs, fabrics, trims are just so beautiful, intricate and incredible and what fashion is all about.
What’s your favourite city in the world for shopping and why?
I miss my shopping days In New York City. I used to love a Barney's outing or when the Nolita area was emerging and had amazing new designers popping up; stores like Jane Mayle, MZ Wallace and then Scoop on Broadway. I also love shopping in Paris as it's full of more eclectic, smaller niche boutiques. London is now either fast fashion or high-end designer and I really don't go shopping any more anyway, but I think that is also because I make very considered purchases these days.
Can you share your thoughts on the rise of slow fashion and the preloved boom?
Fashion's negative and damaging effect on the environment, biodiversity and humans is now undisputed and the need for corporate social responsibility has never been greater. We can all play a part in helping the fashion and beauty industries towards a more sustainable future, one where we as consumers take more responsibility and also slow down our rate of consumption. I like to encourage people to be "conscious consumers" and buying preloved is the future of fashion, keeping the fashion economy circular and the enormous amounts of textile and clothing waste out of landfill.
What has been the most inspiring aspect of your journey in the fashion industry?
Fashion is an important industry economically, worth two trillion globally and thirty billion annually in the UK and can be a force for good. I take great pride in being able to work with many female founded and led brands and creatives who are committed to making fashion differently - in a better, more sustainable way. Whilst my job is not saving lives - and you can have a wonderful life whether you are well dressed and stylish or not - clothes, jewellery and makeup are great confidence givers and can make you feel the best version of yourself; that is a powerful tool to have to navigate life with.
Follow Emily here