Tell us why you consider the Carolyn in black a timeless piece of clothing and how does it replenish your wardrobe?

The Carolyn is the perfect Little Black Dress - so simple yet elegant, it transcends all ages and trends. It is extremely versatile as it can be worn all year round and both in a casual or dressier way. With its thick, luxurious satin texture I consider it an investment piece, an item that I can wear again and again.

Explain the three looks you have styled with the Carolyn in black?

Look 1
I combine it with a pair of pearl-embellished ballet flats by Chanel, Alighieri earrings and a black clutch from Khaite. This is what I would wear for an evening out - I do not like to overdress and I love wearing flats during evening outings, too.

Look 2
This look I style with an oversized turtleneck knit and Alaïa's Bombe sandals - I love the contrast of delicate slip dresses and cozy, oversized knits. A combination I wear on an everyday basis, whether at work or on the weekend. I switch to a pair of combat boots for the day and keep the sandals for an evening in winter when I want to keep my upper body warm.

Look 3
Here I wear it with a check blazer from Racil and a pair of navy Manolo Blahnik Maysale mules, a go-to outfit for the office or a day in market when we are seeing our brands for meetings and buying appointments.

What are other wardrobe staples of yours?

My wardrobe staples in the winter are knits, jeans and black opaque tights which I pair back to oversized sweaters and mini skirts. In the summer I mostly live in oversized shirts, ribbed tank tops and silk slip or cotton dresses.

As a buyer you are constantly exposed to the newest collections and trends. How does that influence your own way of dressing?

They affect my decisions of what I buy and wear, however I am critical - not every trend is for me, so every season I measure what is suitable for my style and what not, what has long term appeal to it rather than just being a short-lived item. I am very conscious of not giving in to a trend if I do not feel fully comfortable wearing it.

Any hacks for appreciating fashion and trends whilst shopping mindfully?

Look at what you and your family have in your wardrobes already which is relevant as trends come and go again and again. They are cyclical and there are often opportunities to "resurrect" past items. I have started to really appreciate second hand - you can find items in almost perfect condition and there is a special thrill to buying something that you love and which is not available to purchase directly through brands anymore, as well as to giving an item a second life.

What are such treasured pieces in your wardrobe?

The pieces that I have inherited from my grandmother and mother and have an emotional value - mainly jewelry, I love all the (now considered vintage) fine gold chains and intricately shaped rings and earrings.

What are timeless shoe styles a woman should invest in?

You should think about the different key shoe categories and then staples within them:

For Boots
A flat black combat and a mid-heel ankle boot - whether on a block or low thinner heel

For Pumps
A point toe stiletto pump of various heel heights is a classic

For Flats
A round or point toe chic flat and a modern loafer

For Sandals
A flat thong or strappy lace up and a simple stiletto or block heel option

For Sneakers
A clean court shape

What are the best shoes to wear with a slip dress? 

In Winter
A slouchy knee high or flat combat boot during the day and a pump or mule for a dressier evening look

In Summer
A simple 90s sandal - flat for the day, heeled for the evening and flat Grecian slides are great for island destinations

What current tendencies are you most excited about?

I am excited about a couple of trends which have been emerging or continuing from the last season. In the shoes category there is a return of the square-toe, whether exaggerated or slim, the resurgence of the gladiator sandal, the continuation of chunkier boots which can be paired with more feminine attire to be balanced off and the still fairly neutral, minimalist color palette. For ready-to-wear I am loving the tailoring, ribbed knits and sweetheart necklines, for bags all the 90s shapes and for jewelry the vintage-like gold chains and earrings.

Any shoe brands we should look out for?

My absolute favorites when it comes to amazing, timeless shoes are The Row, Manolo Blahnik, Gianvito Rossi and Chanel. Prada, Aquazzura and Amina Muaddi for more emotional, fashion pieces - with Bottega Veneta, under Daniel Lee, increasingly claiming a stake in the shoes-to-desire-space.

Your first memory of fashion?

Observing my mother getting ready and playing with Barbies - I had a big collection of dolls and would spend hours as a kid dressing them up in various outfits.

Were there women who had a profound impact on your love for fashion? 

I attribute my love for fashion to my mother and her mother, two of the most elegant women I know. I always joke that they had the fashion bug and just gave it to me. My grandmother was an air stewardess for Olympic Airlines, in the 50s and 60s, when aviation was a very prestigious industry and staff had to look absolutely immaculate. She was obsessed with travelling and discovering trends during her trips which she would bring back to Athens and was actually one of the first women to wear denim in Greece!

Has your shopping behavior changed over time? If yes how?

Absolutely, as a teenager shopping was my weekend treat - I would visit stores with my mum religiously and often buy something spontaneously, constantly updating my wardrobe. Since I started working in the industry and particularly over the last few years this has changed. My approach has become more considerate and selective. I buy less but of better quality and only items which I am sure I will wear for more than a few times. The lack of ample storage space in London has helped, as has my willingness to consume more consciously and discard less. 

Who are your style icons?

Audrey Hepburn, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Coco Chanel and Princess Diana - all were elegant and classic in their style but also unafraid to take a sartorial risk. And for a more current reference I love looking at Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's style for inspiration.

A memorable fashion moment in time?

A couple, all from beloved movies or shows:

Holly Golightly's (Audrey Hepburn) slinky black Givenchy dress, with a stack of pearls around her neck and thick black sunglasses in broad daylight, in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Carrie Bradshaw's (Sarah Jessica Parker) Manolos, Manolos and… Manolos, in Sex and the City.

Rachel Green's (Jennifer Aniston) fitted turtlenecks and red square neck slip dress in Friends.

Vivian Ward's (Julia Roberts) simple white t-shirt, navy blazer and pearl earrings in the final scene of Pretty Woman.

Cecilia Tallis' (Keira Knightley) green backless satin gown in Atonement.

Timeless beauty - what’s your secret, your routine?

No mystery here, I am a firm believer in eating healthily, drinking lots of water and staying active, sleeping enough, surrounding oneself with positive people and constantly feeding the soul with trips and other cultural activities. A healthy mind in a healthy body as the Latins said.

What color do you want us to make the Carolyn in?

Navy, such a chic alternative to black. And I would love to see it in some rich velvet hues, too.

Timeless movie?

The Sound of Music

Timeless song?

Wonderwall by Oasis

Timeless thing to do in a city you love?

My all time favorite thing to do is walking around in London or Paris - this allows me to observe the buildings, the people, stop for breaks in galleries, boutiques and cute cafés.

Timeless wisdom?

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” Alexander Graham Bell

Timeless story?

Anna Karenina, The Great Gatsby and The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Timeless scent?

The scent of jasmine, discreet yet powerful

Timeless place to unwind?

In the shower, I love taking long, warm showers and letting my mind wander.

Timeless piece of art?

The Birth of Venus by Botticelli and The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali

Timeless shoe design?

A Manolo Blahnik Hangisi pump (in every color!), a Gianvito Rossi Portofino sandal and a Chanel ballet flat.