Author: Hannah Bodsworth

My Fashion: Canadian In The Smoke

Vancouverite model Julia Lawton embraces London Fashion

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]ew to London, we asked Canadian model turned teacher Julia Lawton how she adjusted to London style and what it’s like to experience the capital’s fashion with fresh eyes.Julia Lawton's London style

Before the transition in Vancouver (left) and fully embracing London style in ..And Other Stories dress (right)

I moved to London from Vancouver in August last year, I didn’t quite know what to expect when I arrived here but I immediately noticed the fashion stakes were much higher than I was used to. I knew London would be fashionable but I didn’t expect the formalness of the attire and walking around Central London I immediately felt under dressed. Unfortunately Canada doesn’t always have the best reputation when it comes to style, coming from the west coast of Canada yoga pants and hoodies reign supreme, but we are getting better! I knew there would be a huge fashion culture in London but I wasn’t sure what to expect. Lots of designer labels? People wearing their own designs? The answer to both was yes and more! I quickly realized the idea of “fancy” jeans is purely Canadian and people do not generally wear denim to work here. My go­ to outfit of dark jeans, tank top (or “vest” as it’s called here) and a blazer wasn’t going to cut it. I soon fell in love with European brands like …And Other Stories and All Saints, stores I had never heard of before coming to London.

It was traveling to East London for a friends art event that I found the adventurous style I had heard about. Amazing headwear and mis-matched patterns were everywhere. Lots of thrift, vintage and homemade outfits, I was blown away by everyones personal style. Again back to the drawing board for me, looking at my wardrobe in new ways, new combinations. Now I am embarking on my own English tutoring business, I started teaching EFL in China after I stopped modelling and fell in love with it. Back home I got my qualifications and now I’m in London putting it all to good use. Every day in London is a new adventure in fashion as I experience different jobs, festivals and events­­ I love the diversity and freedom the city exudes!

See Julia’s street style in Oxford Circus here.

TWITTER: @juliaherself

WEBSITE: www.facebook.com/julialawton.yvr

 

Hair: Fade-Out Colour at Ego, Queens Park

Hair: Too shy for dip-dye? Have a fade-out colour instead. We tested it out for you..

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter various hair colour phases from Florence Welch red to Milla Jovovich Fifth Element orange, I’ve had a few years of hair dye respite with au natural locks. Having had pangs for colour again but feeling a bit nervous, I’ve tip-toed round the idea of rocking vibrant dip-dyed hair (see our dip-dye homage on Pinterest) as there’s always the option to chop a few centimetres off if those neon pink ends weren’t really me. But there is another solution for colour wimps such as I; a safe step down from an ombre or dip-dye is a fade-out, as seen at Vera Wang. Ego colour technician Grace Cullen explained the fade-out is much like the dip-dye but the root colour fades into the end colour with no pronounced line. Grace eased me back into the colour spectrum with a subtle caramel dye through my ends. The result was a warmer look, the caramel tones catching the sun and making my hair look thicker, but with the comfort of staying true to my roots. Now that wasn’t so hard, I’m going back for some scarlet tips!

Hair by Grace Cullen at Ego, Queens Park, London. Bookings: 020 7625 4811.

Ego Hair London

Shop Colour Haircare: