Talking to: Ellie Connor-Phillips from Rose and Vintage

 Ellie Connor-Phillips describes herself as a "slightly time warped teen" and "professional couch potato" so, of course, I instantly developed a girl crush. She's a feminist from London, UK, who draws on past decades for her fashion and musical tastes and spends her time around vintage and charity shops. She only began her blog, Rose and Vintage, quite recently and has developed quite the following and you can see why. She's friendly and seemingly very approachable. She reads all her comments and despite her air of cooly-cool-coolness, you can already tell that she'll readily offer you a cup of tea and show you some of her really cute finds from the vintage and charity stores she likes so much.
It's very obvious from your blog title and content that you like vintage. What caused this love?



 It was definitely a gradual process. I used to wear very mainstream, high-street items from places like Topshop and River Island, but I never really felt comfortable or like I was truly being 'me', whoever that is. I started to look at a few vintage shops like Rokit, and combined with a good look at other teen blogs for inspiration, I ended up completely hooked on second-hand clothing. I think the fact that you have to search around the shops and can find some really unique pieces appeals to me, that along with the fact that thrifting is so much cheaper than high-street shopping!

 

 

 

Who are your sources of inspiration and icons in fashion?

Tavi Gevinson is definitely one of my biggest inspirations when it comes to style, however I also really admire icons like Iris Apfel, (she is 91 and still looking absolutely fabulous!) and Vivienne Westwood. David Bowie also really inspires some of my outfits, especially during his Ziggy Stardust phase. He also reminds me that it's OK to completely change your style every now and again, which I find quite freeing.

 

Coming from London, you must have been exposed to plenty of different dress styles. Has anything you've seen influenced the way you dress?

You're right, living in London you get to see people from all different cultures and backgrounds with all different styles all the time, which definitely does give you some ideas with your own fashion sense. The area I live in is very indie/grunge, and so I am influenced by their laid-back, retro style, but I also like to spend a lot of time in places like Camden and Brick Lane, where you get to see lots of people with very eccentric or alternative fashion senses. It gives you ideas and makes you want to be more adventurous with what you wear.

 

You've listed Art, English and Textiles as some of the subjects you're taking in school. You've already shown your love of writing, why have you chosen Art and Textiles as subjects?

I absolutely adore writing about things I am interested in, however my main interests are textiles and art. I love fashion and designing, and so textiles really appealed to me, and I'm quite creative and enjoy art too. The three subjects really compliment each other, actually, as you can't do textiles without having some knowledge of art, and you can't do either without being able to write and having some background knowledge of famous artists and designers.

Do you plan on having a career in fashion? If so, what would you like to do? Or, if not, what would you like to become?


I would love a career in fashion, however I'm more than happy to try and keep my options open and not assign myself to one specific career path so early in my life. I'm a bit of a free spirit, and I think I'd like to do a bit of everything, especially in fashion and media

 

What is the most significant item of clothing in your closet and why?

That's so hard! Um...probably my maroon dolphin jumper. It's huge and warm, perfect for lazy days.

 

 

I don't know why you think you're not too photogenic but I do love your make-up in your photos. When it comes to make-up and hair what are your favourite looks and styles?

Thank you so much! I tend to colour in and shape my eyebrows with Benefit Browzing Wax, and I use any cheap liquid eyeliner on my eyes. I like Rimmel mascara...the thicker the better! I usually go for the sort of cat-eye look, and I prefer to accentuate my eyes and eyebrows rather than my lips or cheeks. MAs for my hair, I usually just blow dry it and leave it natural, or scrunch it up in a sort of folded-over ponytail bun.

 

Were there any specific events that sparked your interest in fashion?

When I was about 13, and just starting to get interested in fashion, my cousin's girlfriend at the time. called Kate, was studying fashion design at university and offered to show me her work. I went to her flat one day in the summer and she talked me through the whole design process and all the work that goes into fashion design and marketing. It was such a good day and I remember coming away thinking 'wow, I could actually do that,' since then, I've just been continuing the things she showed me, and trying to get better at the thing I enjoy so much.

 

What were your favourite trends from the 1960s to the 1990s and why?

I think the whole 60's was pretty awesome, but the mod look was definitely something I admire. Everything was so specific, and I love that. The 90's was the opposite, completely relaxed and grungy, and I love that too. I think it's cool to try and mix different trends like those two together; like really tailored, mod style trousers and then a grungy, slouchy shirt or jumper. Smart-casual all the way!




Are there any trends this year that you're in love with and any that you'd like to see die?
I love box jackets and pastels, and both are going to be big this year. I hate neon though--it's great on the catwalk, but people on the street rarely wear it right and it just ends up looking terrible.

You seem to be the know-how kid when it comes to thrift stores and finding great pieces, do you have any tips for anyone who wants shop vintage?

The best tip I can give is don't be scared of secondhand! You can go to 'vintage style' stores or get 'renewed' clothes, but they're often no different to the things in thrift stores, but three times the price. Charity stores and cheap thrift shops often have so many amazing one-off pieces for super cheap, and they have a range of sizes... not just Topshop's size six, which let's be honest, barely anyone can fit into. Don't be put off by the smell or feel of an item...vintage clothes do smell musky but after a wash it goes away completely. Also, rummage around! You never know what these sort of shops have hidden behind other things.

 

If you had to describe yourself in ten words.

Peculiar, odd, happy, creative, emotionally-introverted, chatty, (occasionally) awkward, crazy, spontaneous, honest.

Can you name your favourite London based fashion blog?

Not really from London but Peppermint Whiskers by Sinead. She is so lovely and her style is amazing. 

 

Are there any other international fashion/street style blogs you're obsessed with?

I love I Broke My Hip Doing the Twist, For the Quaint Hearted , Bobbly Rainbow Socks, Teen Witch, The Holly Rivers Show and Pull Your Socks Up.
[They] each have such individual and inspiring style.

 

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

Probably that what you see isn't always what actually is. I've always had confidence issues and the thing I try to remember is it doesn't matter if I think I look bad, as sometimes what you see in the mirror isn't what everyone else can see. Also, nice people don't actually care what you look like--if they do, they're not nice people!

 Check out Ellie on her blog: Rose and Vintage and follow her on Twitter @elliecp
Love,
Khenzo xx

Images from Ellie's Lookbook and her blog