The latest lifestyle, fashion and travel trends
The latest lifestyle, fashion and travel trends
NORTH
Aweng Chuol, 20, Camden
Born in a refugee camp in Kenya and discovered at 16 working at her local McDonalds in Sydney, Australia, Aweng Chuol fronts Rihanna’s Fenty campaigns these days. Alongside walking exclusively on the Vetements catwalk, she has worked with War Child and Children in Conflict, is studying for two degrees and has plans to open an orphanage in Sudan.
Where do you live?
In the heart of Camden, with my girlfriend who moved to London a few months ago from Australia. We met on Instagram — yeah I know, millennials. My aunties and my cousins live in Camden, too.
Why London?
I think London chose me. I grew up in Sydney, I have places in New York and in LA and sometimes travel to six continents in one week. But when I come to London it’s Aweng time — it’s very calm, it’s very me.
Best meal in Camden?
A falafel wrap with chilli fried potatoes and hummus from King of Falafel (2 Camden Road). They know me to the point that I go in and they remember my order. Lunch, dinner — it’s the best.
Where do you go to escape?
I like getting on a Santander bike and just cycling along the canal to King’s Cross or until I feel my stress levels calm down.
Where do you shop vintage?
I’m not a thrifter but my girlfriend is. Sustainability is important to me and I really like Mother of Pearl. I try to play my part: I’m buying less plastic but I am conscious that I am contributing to the problem, even though I wish I wasn’t.
EAST
Jess Maybury, 26, Dalston
With Pakistani and Welsh heritage, Jess Maybury caught the eyes of the arty fashion crowd after shooting for AnOther magazine when she was 17 years old with her sister, Reba. Since then, the Camberwell College of Art graduate has landed campaigns for Lanvin and Vivienne Westwood, and is now the face of Marni, as well as working as an artist.
Where do you live?
Near Dalston Kingsland station with my boyfriend. I’ve got a shared studio on Ridley Road, which has a roof so we sit up there with drinks in the summer.
Where do you shop?
I buy most of my clothes, apart from underwear and shoes, on eBay. I am obsessive; I go on it four times a day. When you find something good you have to snatch it. My most worn piece is a mesh dress from Jean Paul Gaultier. Aro Archive on Ada Street (aroarchive.com) is also great for vintage.
Best food in Dalston?
Brunswick East does really good brunch (brunswickeast.london). The one in Dalston has an outdoor bit for summer; the one in Hackney Downs is a bit more glam. I like Fingers Crossed for saucy café food (facebook.com/fingerscrossedcafe) and the Indian near Hackney Downs station for takeaway.
Why does fashion in London matter?
There’s such a cultural scene — if you go out, you want to look amazing and you can meet so many types of people here. But space is being filled at arts universities by students who can pay for it, while kids with not as much money but who still have creative talent can’t get in.
SOUTH
Jess Cole, 24, Peckham
Exeter-born Goldsmiths graduate Jess Cole comes Phoebe Philo-approved: the designer booked her to open her final show for Céline. Discovered in Portland, Oregon, while on a university break from studying English literature, Cole has been shot for eight Vogue titles and she’s a writer, too, with work published in System and Dazed.
Where do you live?
In a shared house on a Peckham estate opposite a Pentecostal church, so every Sunday I wake up to singing. I feel lucky to have a room with big windows, space to write and that we can grow veg in the garden.
Describe your perfect day
A browse in Review bookshop, then on to Anderson & Co for a vegan sandwich. Afterwards a walk around Telegraph Hill: it has great views of London. In the evening a dance class at Kelechnekoff or if the queer POC [people of colour] south-east London collective, BBZ, is having a club night, then I’ll go have a boogie.
What is the most worn piece in your wardrobe?
Navy silk shorts from a thrift store in Montreal, a paisley blouse that I got for $3 in New Orleans and a brown blazer I was given by Ganni.
Your secret local spot?
Deptford Cinema is a community-run space set up to show a broader spectrum of films — and the tickets are only a couple of quid (deptfordcinema.org). It has a projector set-up in the basement with sofas that I can nestle down on and watch a film I’ve probably never heard of.
Where do you go for a drink?
Prince of Peckham pub (princeofpeckham.co.uk) or Good Neighbour bar for a late-night orange wine (goodneighbour.uk.com).
WEST
Lucan Gillespie, 20, Fulham
Mia Farrow look-a-like Lucan Gillespie was scouted in Waitrose in Putney when she was 12. She has had fashion houses falling over each other to snap her up ever since. Louis Vuitton scooped her to walk exclusively on its catwalk, and her first shoot was photographed by Tim Walker for Vogue.
Where do you live?
In a Victorian terrace in Fulham with my family. Half the time I’m here and half the time I’m away so I have a good balance. I try to take a break when I’m back in London.
Where do you shop?
Fulham is full of amazing charity shops. I volunteered at Fara after school for five years, tagging all the bags in the basement and seeing everything coming in. I got a Miu Miu top once for £40. For vintage, I go to Deuxième (deuxieme.co.uk) and Circa Vintage (circavintage.com).
Where do you go to escape?
The walled garden at Fulham Palace (fulhampalace.org). It’s really pretty, full of flowers and vegetable patches and they’ve just done it up. I go with my family or by myself with a book.
What is the most worn piece in your wardrobe?
I try to keep clothes for a long time. I still wear a Mexican-print dress that I got from a shop in Soho with my grandparents when I was 11. And a vintage leather jacket from when I was 12, which was really big then but fits me perfectly now.
What’s your career highlight?
Cutting all my hip-length hair off for a Miu Miu campaign was huge for me, especially as it was my first real haircut! While I was at school I would always try to watch the Dior shows live, so getting to be in the brand’s campaign is a dream come true.
Photographs by Maria Ziegelböck
Styled by Sophie Paxton & Sophie Van Der Welle
Words by Rachael Dove
To watch Aweng, Jess, Lucan and Jess behind the scenes, search @eveningstandardmagazine on Instagram
