Londoners Magazine

L-R: Dries van Noten A/W08, Pharell Williams, Prada A/W08, Mos Def, Raf Simons AW/08

Ruth Styles talks fashion with Elliott J Sainsbury, a fashion writer and stylist.

On writing:

“It was inevitable I’d end up working in fashion. I’ve always loved clothes, although I don’t come from a fashion background. Writing, analysing and exploring what people wear - the aesthetics - comes naturally.

“I started as an intern at a PR company, then did a stint at GQ. I emailed a few articles to Fashion156.com. They liked what I did, so I’m still there.

“I studied English and Sociology and then Fine Art but didn’t graduate. After going through the university system twice I don’t believe you necessarily need a qualification to do what you want if you have the passion and belief. Being dragged round M&S by my mum as a kid was training enough!

“I really look up to Charlie Porter, the associate editor of GQ. He’s one of our best menswear critics - his column in The Guardian is what inspired me to become a fashion writer.

“I also love Sarah Mower, the stylist Nicola Formichetti, and of course, Katie Grand [editor of Pop magazine]. For me, Susie Bubble is the queen of the fashion bloggers - her Style Bubble blog is a must-read.

On London:

“London is a total mishmash. There’s a warm welcome for every culture, and history and the future are juxtaposed in dazzling ways. There are hidden worlds throughout London; clashing style tribes are everywhere.

“There’s a place for everything in the fashion spectrum here. London often feels more like a testing ground for more radical pieces even at the risk of looking ridiculous with charity shop clothing and accessories from a pound shop.

On What’s Hot:

“Sportswear is very cool: it’s an integral part of the menswear collections this season: from Lanvin and Calvin Klein, to Dries Van Noten and Raf Simons. For me, early 90s hip-hop influences - oversized silhouettes, all that colour and optimism, bright graphics and washed out denim - is cool.

“Sculptural details like drawstring ruffles, padding and armour-like elements are also going to be big. Looking at pictures of funk/soul bands like Cameo or Earth or Wind and Fire or New Romantics and eighteenth century rakes and thinking of the popularity of shops like Nutters of Savile Row - it shows that men have always been fascinated with expressing themselves through fashion in some way.

“Nearly all men like clothes in some sense, whether that’s a trainer collection or being obsessive over the cuffs and placket of a shirt. I think that can be adventurous and it’s a shame that the current zeitgeist when it comes to men’s fashion seems to be an austere, conservative one.

Best Dressed:

“I don’t really go for that conservative, red carpet dressing thing. I’m more influenced by guys I see on the street, at clubs and on websites like Hel Looks.

“Gordon Richardson, the creative director of Topman is always smart but never contrived and the guys from b Store always look brilliant.

“I like Devendra Banhart and I think rappers are really underrated, like Kanye West, Pharrell and Mos Def. I like Ronnie Corbett as well, for his cardigans.

“I love writing but it would be great to get more involved in London Fashion Week and to give menswear a higher profile. I’d also love to organise events and showcases for smaller designers who need representation. That and being executive producer of Eastenders someday…”