Farrah Storr's Fashion Proust Questionnaire
A little Fashion Week breather
Fashion people have this strange way of forgetting, during Fashion Week, that the rest of the world is not in fact at Fashion Week.
I myself was guilty of this for years, mostly because of how incredibly lucky I felt (and continue to feel) to be invited to many of the shows. Plus it’s so all encompassing, schedule-wise, and there is just so much to see and potentially show, that you can forget how it can look from the outside. That is, like a big, catty orgy of egos and one-upmanship worse than a high school prom. This was recently made clear to me by surveying people who like following fashion as a hobby by the way —not people who hate it on principle/don’t care at all.
Those most guilty of the can’t sit with us content are, I feel, supposed “fashion news” influencers who spend half their time posting happy birthday messages to random industry insiders on a first-name basis. No one knows who Eric is!!
Back to my beloved fashion-curious guinea pigs’ and their feedback though. They tell me that with the clear exception of genuinely organic street style, which, it seems, does supply outfit inso (provided the person is not dressed head-to-toe by a brand) one’s readers/followers probably only want feed back on larger trends being observed. In other words: a bit of synthesis.
And they wish one would stop posting tipsy midnight stories at an amazeballs after-show party that one is simply thrilled to have been invited to. Or at least, if one does, post one’s darn outfit. Not a blurry image of a disco ball with some designer’s name sprawled across it.
Ask not what your followers can do for you…
Anyway having processed these learnings I am attempting to provide some not-specifically Fashion Week-related content during PFW. Or at least take the time to make sense of things I see before regurgitation them. Wish me luck.
In the meantime: behold! A Fashion Proust Questionnaire from Farrah Storr MBE(!) one of the most widely-read women on Substack, whose subject lines are as curiosity-inducing as her societal analysis is thought-provoking. Plus her newsletter is just very… useful.
Farrah also happens to be a person who writes, on occasion, about fashion, without chasing the Fashion Week carousel like a headless chicken. Respect.
I myself have much to thank Farrah for: she’s one of the two people who talked me into starting this newsletter in the first place. She had me at our mutual love of the late, great AA Gill. Today, for many of us writers on here, she is, for all intents and purposes, our Fearless Substack Leader (and writing group host.)
Farrah was a big dog on the UK women’s magazine scene for decades. She was the founding editor of Women’s Health UK. She edited Cosmopolitan for years, then ELLE. Until —her words— “the digital revolution slam dunked into the paper press and writing suddenly got rechristened content. And content felt just wrong. I didn’t want listicles”.
Today Farrah’s love of nuance, community and connection with her reader drive her writing and it comes across. She will be awarded an MBE by King Charles next week for her services as an editor and her contribution to diversity. I’m chuffed as a designer disco ball to have Farrah answering the FPQ this week…
What is your idea of a perfect outfit?
Something easy, classic and cuddly. So basically a pair of barrel-legged jeans, a cashmere jumper, some very good boots and excellent jewellery.
What is your greatest fashion fear?
Looking too ‘try hard’. I’m also not a fan of the VPL.
What, in hindsight, is the worst outfit you’ve ever worn?
Every outfit I wear for the dog walk at 7am.
What is the worst outfit you’ve ever seen on someone else?
Seamless Scrunch Bum Leggings…on anyone.
Which living person’s style do you most admire?
Jenna Lyons always looks interesting.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Jewellery. There’s something deeply romantic about buying ‘forever’ jewels for yourself.
What is your current state of mind with regards to the fashion industry?
Bewilderment. So much is changing and so fast. Luxury e-tail seems to have imploded. The high street as we know it is over. The endless and hugely extravagant show schedules seem to be calming down. (Thank you Valentino and Alessandra Michele for helping lead the way). So much change. I cannot predict where it will end up. Which I suppose is both scary and exciting.
What do you consider the most overrated style virtue?
I think there’s such a thing as being too tasteful
On what occasion do you lie about someone’s outfit?
When they seem perfectly happy with how they look. If they’re content then so am I.
What is the quality you like most in a man’s outfit?
Dressing their age.
What is the quality you like most in a woman’s outfit?
Not dressing their age.
Which fashion trend do you most despise?
I shudder every time pointy shoes come back around. Skinny jeans should also die a slow and painful death (so says my ‘runner’s’ legs)
Which words or phrases do you most overuse when describing fashion?
Chic.
Which runway collection in history was your greatest love?
Perry Ellis by Mark Jacobs ’93. I was 15. Grunge was the coolest thing on earth. I wanted to own every single outfit. Apparently Jacobs gifted the lot to Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, who promptly went and burnt the entire collection. Years later Courtney said all that was left was a bonnet and a pair of blue shoes. I weep….
When were you happiest with your own look?
Now. Weirdly enough I’m very happy with the clothes I put together when I garden. I like functional clothing, especially when that function is something I so deeply enjoy. I wear a French worker’s jacket which is now a terrible cliche, I know. Cords because they are soft and gentle; an old cashmere jumper and a pair of Blundstone boots. It is a happy outfit.
Which designer’s talent would you most like to have?
Jonathan Anderson- I think he’s a designer with true soul. Also his candle collection is very good.
If you could change one thing about your wardrobe, what would it be?
I’d like to still be able to fit into half of it.
What do you consider your greatest achievement, career-wise (so far!)
Next week I will receive an MBE from the King for my work as a magazine editor and services to diversity throughout that career. It feels slightly embarrassing to put here, but I am proud.
If you were to die and come back as a fashion item, what would it be?
Jon Hamm’s cashmere’ roll neck probably has a nice life.
Where on earth do you get the most style inspiration?
I have a soft spot for the off-duty style of 70s stars like Francoise Hardy and Lauren Hutton.
What is your most treasured possession?
I have an old vintage Chanel jacket that my mother gave me. I don’t fit into it but it’s still going nowhere.
What do you consider the lowest depth of fashion rock-bottom (ie. Karl’s sweatpants)
Seamless Scrunch Bunch leggings…sorry, I can’t get over them.
What is your favourite fashion-related occupation?
I have a lot of respect for stylists. Their work is so often overlooked and yet so crucial to helping fashion make sense to most of the world.
What is your most marked style characteristic?
Simplicity. Followed by cashmere.
Who are your favourite fashion writers?
I’m a fan of writers who don’t ordinarily write about fashion writing about fashion. The NYT former restaurant critic Frank Bruni is one such person. The late AA Gill writing about the fashion shows are still some of my favourite pieces of writing. I highly rate Lauren Collins also.
Who is your style hero in fiction?
I have a feeling Holden Caulfied would have had excellent style
Which historical figure’s style do you most identify with?
Vita Sackville-West.
Which individual that you know (or have known) personally most influenced your style?
I had a wonderful fashion director called Avril Mair when I edited ELLE magazine. She seems to have an innate understanding of how exactly I wanted to look. And was very good at sending me links to things I should buy! I miss her.
What would you like to wear to your own funeral?
Just cover me in a Begg cashmere blanket and I’m good to go.
What is your style motto?
Buy it once size larger.
oh my god, i just googled the scrunch bum leggings. dying
love this, love farrah! also loooolllllll @ #3