A life in Fashion

Kay Barron

A life in Fashion|Kay Barron
Kay Barron is the Fashion Director of NET-A-PORTER and MR PORTER, and author of her debut best-selling book, How to Wear Everything. She reveals her journey through fashion, her 90s obsession, and how an evening editing her friend’s closet led to her finally writing her book (after talking about it for years…)!
Kay Barron is the Fashion Director of NET-A-PORTER and MR PORTER, and author of her debut best-selling book, How to Wear Everything. She reveals her journey through fashion, her 90s obsession, and how an evening editing her friend’s closet led to her finally writing her book (after talking about it for years…)!
What are your earliest fashion memories?

I think that 85% of who I am derives from watching Winona Ryder in Beetlejuice when I was a kid. I thought she was the most interesting, tortured and sophisticated thing I had ever seen, and I spent my childhood and teens trying to be just like her. I once recorded a music video that featured her and took the VHS tape (ageing myself here) to my hairdresser to copy. Needless to say, I did not look like Winona after that appointment. But that didn’t stop me from trying. Winona was always my number one crush, and I searched for images of her in magazines, obsessed with everything she wore. I still mainly wear round sunglasses and that originates from Winona in Heathers.

I also consumed MTV whenever I could and for hours and hours and hours on end. Music videos gave me an understanding of style, presence, characters and fashion brands that were yet to reach the Highlands of Scotland, and I knew that I wanted to be part of that world. Well, MTV, The Clothes Show and Pulp. In fact, Jeff Banks (google him) and Jarvis Cocker are probably the reasons that Central St Martins was the only place I wanted to study.
What is it about fashion that initially drew you in?

I always say that I love clothes more than fashion, if that makes sense? I mean, I studied fashion, I inhaled every single fashion magazine, and dreamed of attending fashion shows, but I always thought about my clothes and my outfits. When I was in secondary school, there wasn’t a set uniform, so the loose rules were up for interpretation. I would lay my clothes out the night before (I often still do this), and chose each piece carefully, thinking about textures, silhouette and accessories. I remember one day wearing a pair of high-waisted wide black trousers, a cropped (ish) purple jumper, Converse trainers and a velvet choker (thanks Winona), and when I walked into my English class my teacher turned to me and said ‘Kay Barron, you are the best dressed girl in this school.’ I don’t think I have had a greater compliment in all my days.
My dad had a shoe shop when I was very young, and I remember going to get new school shoes once a year. I inherited my love of shoes from him. I have a lot, and always make sure that I look after them. He instilled a make do and mend mentality into all of us, so I really make sure that I look after all my clothes and shoes. That wasn’t always the case, and I did lose some great clothes that way in the past, and I regret it, but now I really treasure each and every piece that I own.

Who were your role models or influences when you started out in the industry?

I have been very lucky to work with the most amazing people throughout my career, whether that was in retail or at magazines, or as a freelance writer. I was always obsessed with Susannah Frankel, and I still am. She is a brilliant writer, editor, and visionary, and she is also hilarious and very kind.
Tell us about your journey through the industry that has taken you to where you are now?

I wanted to go to St Martins since I first heard about it when I was really young, so I couldn’t believe it when I got in to study fashion. Initially I thought I wanted to do fashion design, but I was far more interested in telling the stories around clothes, so I found myself moving into fashion journalism. I met the most brilliant people at St Martins, including Clare (ask her about her dog magazine…), and it really was an eye-opener into the industry. To pay my way through college, I worked in retail starting in supermarkets, then gentleman’s outfitters, Whistles, Browns, and Matches, and I was always fascinated with how people shopped. That served me well at Fashion Features roles at The Face, Grazia, Harper’s Bazaar and Porter magazines, but becoming Fashion Director of NET-A-PORTER and now MR PORTER has brought the worlds of retail and editorial together and I love having a front row seat watching how customers react to fashion.

How would you describe your personal style and how it has changed

I think I am a minimalist with a love of detail. I like black, denim, streamlined silhouettes, but I love unexpected detailing, and great accessories that draw the eye. I think my style has remained pretty consistent for years and years, it’s just that, thanks to NET-A-PORTER, it has got so much better, for after nearly 12 years at Net, I am lucky enough to have a great closet full of amazing pieces. I love Sacai, which is the ultimate simple with a twist brand, Khaite, Loewe, and Saint Laurent.
"Always trust your instincts when trying on clothes. If you don’t love it immediately when you try it on, it is unlikely to ever see life beyond your wardrobe doors. "
Why did you decide that now was the right time to write the book?

Always said I was going to do it, a novel, a tv show, and a fashion book. I have been talking about it for years, when a friend of mine said quite strongly one lunch ‘why haven’t you written that book yet?’ So here we are, I just needed that push.

My friends and family ask me for advice on what to wear for each and every occasion for years, and I love giving friends that support when they are getting dressed. There is so much choice out there now, that it can be completely overwhelming to know where to start, if you are unsure of your own personal style and what to put on. How to Wear Everything is the advice that I have given my friends for years, distilled into book form. It literally tells you how to get dressed for everything and everywhere.

What did you learn when speaking with contributors?

How much people love talking about clothes, and the relationship that they have with it.
One friend asked me ‘why do you think Oprah agreed to this?’ He wasn’t being rude, it was a genuine question, as why would she? She must get asked to do things all the time. But I imagine she doesn’t get to talk about her love of cashmere all the time, so I am thrilled that she agreed to reveal her love of a cashmere onesie to me!
Sarah Jessica Parker, Ruth E Carter, Erin Wasson and Tinx all opened up when talking about the clothes and items that are precious to them. I love the emotional connection that are stitched into every item they discussed.
"Ever since I have known Clare she has had the best taste, and I trust her completely in her curation of product. So basically, if it is on Reluxe, I want it. I like to look for classic forever pieces – like handbags - or bonkers special items that I coveted on the runway but couldn’t buy at the time. "
Do you have a formula for figuring out what does and doesn’t suit you (any advice for this)?

Always trust your instincts when trying on clothes. If you don’t love it immediately when you try it on, it is unlikely to ever see beyond your wardrobe doors.

What do you look for when shopping preloved?

Ever since I have known Clare she has had the best taste, and I trust her completely in her curation of product. So basically, if it is on Reluxe, I want it. I like to look for classic forever pieces – like handbags - or bonkers special items that I coveted on the runway but couldn’t buy at the time.

Fav pieces on Reluxe

Every single one of the handbags by Dior and Louis Vuitton. Clare brought them to my house for the shoot, and I really tried to make her leave them with me. Alas, it wasn’t to be. Yet….

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