NEWS
EVENTS
Millie Cotton Interview
Other | Wednesday 8th February 2012 | Osh
Millie Cotton writes a fashion and lifestyle blog called ‘It’s a LDN Thing’. She is twenty and currently studying BA Journalism at University of the Arts, London. You’ll most likely find her listening to James Blake, watching Gossip Girl or trying out a new lipstick.
What inspires your fashion choices and what do you think makes them stand out?
I pick a few key pieces each season and then work them into my wardrobe and own personal style, which is much more realistic then changing your wardrobe each season. I think my choices stand out because they are so varied; one day I will be wearing a cute dress with a bow in my hair and the next an oversized jumper and my beaten up converse.
What designers are you most influenced by and why is that?
I’m all for supporting British designers as we are so lucky to have such talented ones. I adore Jonathan Saunders. His work has really evolved over the past few seasons.
What got you into blogging in the first place and what other blogs do you follow?
I first started as a way to keep myself writing about topics that interest me whilst studying at Uni. I study journalism, not fashion journalism, which is very history orientated. I love Susie Lau’s Style Bubble as the editorial content is so well written and her pictures are fantastic. I flick through most other blogs and follow a few of my friends’ illustration and photography blogs but apart from that I’m not a big reader of other blogs as I wouldn’t want to subconsciously end up copying what someone else is doing; before I started my blog, I had never even read another fashion blog.
What are your favourite shops in London?
American Apparel, honestly if it didn’t exist I would prefer to walk around naked. I love The Appletree Boutique. It started as a market stall on Portobello. Every piece is individual and it’s so reasonably priced.
What’s hot for spring?
Pastels, obviously as they always are. Brights. Sports luxe. Peplum which I won’t be teasing into my wardrobe.
What’s not?
I honestly don’t think you shouldn’t not wear what you want because it’s ‘not hot’ or a trend. So I have no answer to that one!
Obviously fashion plays a big part in your life- but what are your other interests?
I love music. I spend a lot of time on music blogs searching for that next song to play twenty times over, and then I get bored and am on to the next. I like yoga, it’s a good way to slow down as everything is pretty hectic right now.
What’s on your iPod right now?
As I’m writing this Jamie XX and Yasmin’s Touch Me. Every month I make a new playlist, which is fun as then I can go back through the year and see what I was listening to. In my February playlist I’ve gone back to Lykke Li. She is stunning. There’s also some SBTRKT, Metronomy, Foxes, Eliphino in there amongst other things.
When you’re travelling, what are your must-have items to pack?
Baby wipes – they are the best for everything. A camera to capture everything with. My iPod to get me through the boring journey; I can’t sleep on any form of transport. My contact lenses case and solution; no one enjoys being blind.
What’s in your purse? Makeup, etc.?
The standard bits; a Moleskin diary, some headphones, my purse. I don’t really carry around make up. In the evenings I might take out the lipstick that I’m wearing but in the day I keep my make up to a minimum so it never really needs topping up.
What inspires you in life and what would you be doing if you weren’t into fashion?
That’s hard! I still think I would be writing something of some sort. I can’t really imagine myself doing anything else. I wanted to be a plastic surgeon when I was younger, until I realised that I can’t deal with blood.
Is this a job for you or a hobby? If a hobby, what is your occupation?
Definitely a hobby, considering you get paid for most jobs! That sounds bitter but it’s not meant to. If it was a job that would probably take all the fun and enjoyment out of it anyway as then I would have to do it and that would probably be less appealing. I’m a full-time journalism student and a part-time nanny!
Who are your favourite models of the moment?
I’m so in love with Sai Bennett. She’s the girlfriend of Jesse Burgess from Dirty Sexy Things on E4. I saw them both at a party once (that sounds pretty stalkerish, I know!) and she was even more incredible in the flesh.
Favourite looks from the Paris shows?
The Versace Couture show was insane. Every piece was so beautiful. I wasn’t so keen on Chanel, which was a surprise, but it was so safe and to be honest, a bit dull.
What’s your favourite item of make up?
Stila stay all day waterproof eyeliner
What’s the best show you have been to this year?
I didn’t get to go to that many LFW shows last season, but this season should be more exciting. I’m freelancing for Wonderland magazine over LFW.
What’s your favourite club?
Corsica Studios. I prefer smaller venues where the music is slightly more alternative.
Who is your favourite singer/band?
Again, that’s hard. I can give two; Jamie T and James Blake.
What film soundtrack do you wish you had written?
The soundtrack for Blue Valentine was gorgeous. Penny and The Quarter’s You and Me melts my heart everytime I hear it.
If you could spend £500 in any one shop what would it be?
Acne, or The Kooples. Although in both I would only get one item for that.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
UB40’s Kingston Town. Songs don’t get any better than that.
What inspires your fashion choices and what do you think makes them stand out?
I pick a few key pieces each season and then work them into my wardrobe and own personal style, which is much more realistic then changing your wardrobe each season. I think my choices stand out because they are so varied; one day I will be wearing a cute dress with a bow in my hair and the next an oversized jumper and my beaten up converse.
What designers are you most influenced by and why is that?
I’m all for supporting British designers as we are so lucky to have such talented ones. I adore Jonathan Saunders. His work has really evolved over the past few seasons.
What got you into blogging in the first place and what other blogs do you follow?
I first started as a way to keep myself writing about topics that interest me whilst studying at Uni. I study journalism, not fashion journalism, which is very history orientated. I love Susie Lau’s Style Bubble as the editorial content is so well written and her pictures are fantastic. I flick through most other blogs and follow a few of my friends’ illustration and photography blogs but apart from that I’m not a big reader of other blogs as I wouldn’t want to subconsciously end up copying what someone else is doing; before I started my blog, I had never even read another fashion blog.
What are your favourite shops in London?
American Apparel, honestly if it didn’t exist I would prefer to walk around naked. I love The Appletree Boutique. It started as a market stall on Portobello. Every piece is individual and it’s so reasonably priced.
What’s hot for spring?
Pastels, obviously as they always are. Brights. Sports luxe. Peplum which I won’t be teasing into my wardrobe.
What’s not?
I honestly don’t think you shouldn’t not wear what you want because it’s ‘not hot’ or a trend. So I have no answer to that one!
Obviously fashion plays a big part in your life- but what are your other interests?
I love music. I spend a lot of time on music blogs searching for that next song to play twenty times over, and then I get bored and am on to the next. I like yoga, it’s a good way to slow down as everything is pretty hectic right now.
What’s on your iPod right now?
As I’m writing this Jamie XX and Yasmin’s Touch Me. Every month I make a new playlist, which is fun as then I can go back through the year and see what I was listening to. In my February playlist I’ve gone back to Lykke Li. She is stunning. There’s also some SBTRKT, Metronomy, Foxes, Eliphino in there amongst other things.
When you’re travelling, what are your must-have items to pack?
Baby wipes – they are the best for everything. A camera to capture everything with. My iPod to get me through the boring journey; I can’t sleep on any form of transport. My contact lenses case and solution; no one enjoys being blind.
What’s in your purse? Makeup, etc.?
The standard bits; a Moleskin diary, some headphones, my purse. I don’t really carry around make up. In the evenings I might take out the lipstick that I’m wearing but in the day I keep my make up to a minimum so it never really needs topping up.
What inspires you in life and what would you be doing if you weren’t into fashion?
That’s hard! I still think I would be writing something of some sort. I can’t really imagine myself doing anything else. I wanted to be a plastic surgeon when I was younger, until I realised that I can’t deal with blood.
Is this a job for you or a hobby? If a hobby, what is your occupation?
Definitely a hobby, considering you get paid for most jobs! That sounds bitter but it’s not meant to. If it was a job that would probably take all the fun and enjoyment out of it anyway as then I would have to do it and that would probably be less appealing. I’m a full-time journalism student and a part-time nanny!
Who are your favourite models of the moment?
I’m so in love with Sai Bennett. She’s the girlfriend of Jesse Burgess from Dirty Sexy Things on E4. I saw them both at a party once (that sounds pretty stalkerish, I know!) and she was even more incredible in the flesh.
Favourite looks from the Paris shows?
The Versace Couture show was insane. Every piece was so beautiful. I wasn’t so keen on Chanel, which was a surprise, but it was so safe and to be honest, a bit dull.
What’s your favourite item of make up?
Stila stay all day waterproof eyeliner
What’s the best show you have been to this year?
I didn’t get to go to that many LFW shows last season, but this season should be more exciting. I’m freelancing for Wonderland magazine over LFW.
What’s your favourite club?
Corsica Studios. I prefer smaller venues where the music is slightly more alternative.
Who is your favourite singer/band?
Again, that’s hard. I can give two; Jamie T and James Blake.
What film soundtrack do you wish you had written?
The soundtrack for Blue Valentine was gorgeous. Penny and The Quarter’s You and Me melts my heart everytime I hear it.
If you could spend £500 in any one shop what would it be?
Acne, or The Kooples. Although in both I would only get one item for that.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
UB40’s Kingston Town. Songs don’t get any better than that.
