The TEll// By Thrift & Tell
Welcome to THE TELL//BY THRIFT & TELL: a celebration of fashionable women who dress as smart as they shop.
This week’s guest on THE TELL// is Alexandra Carello, London based Luxury PR & Communications Specialist. When I discovered Alexandra’s Instagram account about a year ago, I instantly fell in love. Her style is playful yet refined and the brief glimpses of her home, specifically her closet, makes me want to go out immediately and buy a can of high gloss green paint! What I found particularly interesting in this interview is that Alexandra shares that she is not someone who constantly is buying new things; instead, she is very intentional about how she shops and prefers pieces she can mix and match again and again. (You can play a little game of “I-spy” in the photos below to see a few items that look different in each photo depending on the styling!) Alexandra is a fantastic reminder for us all that, if you buy the right pieces, you can continually re-invent the items in your closet rather than mindlessly buying this season’s newest trend. It is a treat to have Alexandra be part of the series and stay tuned for more interviews to come. Enjoy!
//Your style in 3 words: Feminine, colourful, sometimes throws a curveball
//Staple Outfit: Citizens of Humanity horseshoe jeans, cropped jacket and Chanel pumps
//Style Icon(s): Blair Waldorf , Mary Kate & Ashley Olson.
//Your First Big Purchase: Chanel slingbacks
//Do You Still Have It? Yes, but the strap has broken which is disappointing and they can’t fix it in house which I find even more disappointing.
//Best Fashion Advice You Ever Received: I don’t really listen to other people’s style advice I follow my gut and what makes me feel good.
//Types of clothing you invest in: Chanel pumps, good jeans, good boots. Heritage pieces I will wear again and again and that are timeless.
//Types of clothing you save on: Things like a good white t-shirt or cardigans. My wardrobe is a mix of high and low. I always tend to spend on wardrobe building blocks that will last a long time and save on pieces that can add a bit of fun or are more trend driven. I don’t buy a lot of highstreet but I love to buy from niche brands that are unknown and can create a really unique wardrobe.
//Your Greatest Extravagance: Citizens of Humanity and Agolde Jeans, Chanel Pumps , investment bags
//Brands That Will Stand the Test of Time: Prada, Miu Miu, Chanel, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Celine, Saint Laurent, Valentino - think about clothes as investment pieces and consider what I’m looking at in my mother and grandmother’s wardrobe and what has stood the test of time.
//Favorite Affordable Brands: Maria de la Orden, La Veste La Veste.
//Favorite Designer Brands: all of the above - Chanel might have to be the holy grail for me.
//Favorite High-Low Brands to Mix: Headbands and bows from Marzoline, shirts from Ganni, t-shirts from H&M.
//Favorite Places to Shop Consignment: The Outnet
//Favorite Places to Consign Your Own Closet: My Wardrobe HQ
//Currently Collecting Dust in the Back of your Closet: All my clothes have such sentimental value for me. I try to wear the majority of my wardrobe but there are things from when I was in my early twenties that don’t feel so age appropriate anymore but I cannot throw them out or rent them.
//Your Closet Tried and Trues: A pair of cropped zebra print trousers from Carolina Herrera with kitten heels and a black t-shirt. So easy but impactful every time.
//Your Most Prized Possession: Jimmy Choo shoe collection, I used to work in the PR department there.
//Best investment you ever made in your style: Working in the industry you see so much and I feel it gives me a very individual take on style that never stops evolving.
//Style Choice From Your Past That Haunts You: I mean so many, specifically thinking back to my teenage years but generally I think life is too short to regret fashion choices. Fashion is liquid and ever changing and should be something you have fun experimenting with even if you get it wrong sometimes.
//“It seemed like a good idea at the time” a.k.a Purchase you most regret: None really, I am a very careful shopper and consider things before buying them.
//Closet From Which You Would Like to Borrow: Lauren Santo Domingo
//Last Time You Splurged? I have been quite conservative recently and aiming to stick to the rule of only buying 5 things this year. So far I have not bought anything.
//Currently Saving Your Pennies For: A vintage Chanel jacket but I need to find the right person to source it for me.
//A Deal for the History Books/Your T&T Personal Best: Vintage Celine and YSL from my grand mother in law’s wardrobe.
//Advice to someone looking to define their own style: Have a uniform that allows you to feel confident but also makes it easy to get dressed in the morning. Especially if you have children and have about 5 seconds to get dressed. And don’t try not to be you. You need to feel like the best version of yourself in clothes that allow you to move.
//Trend you wish would go away? I really hate birkenstocks and also think open toe shoes have no place in London.
//You feel great. What are you wearing? Cropped trousers with a perfectly cut t-shirt and chanel pumps, with a vintage jacket thrown over the shoulders.
//Occasions when you splurge: I consider pieces quite carefully and don’t tend to impulse shop. When I can’t get something off my mind I know I have to have it.
//Occasions when you save: When I need something practical like underwear or socks!
//Home Decor Style: Eclectic and colourful
//Favorite place to hunt for home decor: Like my wardrobe I like to mix and match, putting unexpected things together to create individual style. I love Edition94
//Go-to for unique items, whether it be clothing, accessories, home or art: For clothing Maria de La Orden
//Your fashion motto: Have fun!
//Your life motto: Also have fun! and channel energy in to people and things that fulfil you and bring you happiness
Fill in the blank:
//A woman should invest in- classics. //You’re never too old to—try something new. //A woman can never have too much- Chanel. // Bury Me In: Chanel. //True or False: More is More- True - I am a fan of more. //Fashion is-fun. //Style is: forever.
Currently Loving:
//Music: Miley Cyrus, “Flowers”
//Print: The Spectator
//Food: Five Guys
//Drink: The driest Gin Martini with Olives
//Film: Anything Disney with my girls
//TV: Schitts Creek
//Podcast: Business of Fashion
//Instagram Handle: @saintlaurent - I want to be that woman
Photo Credit: @coffeecameranyc
ABOUT ALEXANDRA
Alexandra’s extensive international career history has seen her specialise in luxury brand communications.With over 15 years’ experience in the fashion industry and specialising in Communications, Alexandra has worked for the world ’s leading brands. Beginning her professional career in the Louis Vuitton Press Office, Alexandra moved to Burberry before managing teams at Jimmy Choo, then establishing and running the Global Communications Team at NET-A-PORTER. Alexandra’s experience spans global leading, fashion publications, working directly at Vogue, Tatler and Glamour. Beyond her extensive fashion career, Alexandra is a committed chair of theRoyal Marsden’s first official committee, directing the world-renowned hospital’s annual programme of events to help them raise money and stay at the forefront of cancer research and technology.
FIND ALEXANDRA
Photos used courtesy of Alexandra Carello
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