For my work experience at Hello Birmingham I was required to browse the busy streets of the city to scope out stylish shoppers, preened passers-by and trendsetting tourists. With my freelance photographer in tow, we scanned the town on a regular basis for our fashion feature – "Style on the Street". It was my responsibility to find fashionistas, introduce myself to them and then interview them about their individual style. After their photographs were taken, I then published the articles on the Hello Birmingham Facebook page. Here are the fashionable people we picked out…
Megan Williams is a criminology student who stepped out looking super-chic whilst walking the grounds of Birmingham City University last Thursday afternoon. We snapped the 19 year old outside her university campus in Perry Barr as she stood out with her effortlessly cool and modern style.Megan layered a classic black vest with a crisp white blouse, and the New Look jacket completes the sophistic...ated look. Her on-trend burgundy leggings look fabulous teamed with the black ankle boots and the brown leather satchel is both classy and convenient.
Megan describes her style as “stylish and pretty simple”, shopping in H&M and New Look as it’s “affordable”. Her style icon is Fearne Cotton because she is “edgy and cool”, and she spends up to £20 a month on clothes.
Her favourite item is her leather shorts, and she wouldn’t wear Uggs because she doesn’t like them. Her fashion tip is to “wear what makes you feel comfortable”.
19 year old media student Dayna Farrington looks pretty as a picture in this sophisticated purple and black combination.Looking cosy in her gold embroidered Primark jumper, fluffy boots and snug woollen scarf, the trendy teenager is dressed perfectly for a chilly winter afternoon. Teaming a classic black leather jacket with staple item leggings creates a laid back and chic look, and the vibrant scarf adds a splash of colour to her simple outfit.
Dayna likes Topshop and H&M because they are good quality with some original outfit pieces. She likes to keep her style up to date and her style tip would be: “always try something new”.
Dayna’s style icon is Blake Lively because “she always looks effortless” and “mixes high street with designer”.
She would never wear heavy sequins because they look “too tacky” and her favourite item is her “good old pair of leggings”.
Dayna likes Topshop and H&M because they are good quality with some original outfit pieces. She likes to keep her style up to date and her style tip would be: “always try something new”.
Dayna’s style icon is Blake Lively because “she always looks effortless” and “mixes high street with designer”.
She would never wear heavy sequins because they look “too tacky” and her favourite item is her “good old pair of leggings”.
What do you get if you mix gothic glam with 1940’s chic? Burlesque beauty with edgy eccentricity? The answer: Evelyn Lindsay.The 24 year old graphic designer stood out from the masses with her quirky and inspirational style. Layering bold statement pieces with classic black makes for an eye-catching and glamorous combination. The leopard print shrug and sheer blouse contrast looks feminine and super-chic, and the burnt orange pleated skirt adds a touch of 50’s glamour.
Evelyn describes her style as gothic and vintage, heavily inspired by the 1940’s and 1950’s. She shops in Miss Selfridges and EBay, but she also makes a lot of her own clothes, particularly 50’s dresses.
It comes as no surprise that Evelyn is inspired by the iconic Dita Von Teese: “She always looks so immaculate. She works vintage well without looking tacky.”
With her arty tattoos and sophisticated hairstyle, Evelyn mixes contemporary cool with timeless vintage, and as a result works an outfit which is powerful, individual and spectacularly striking. Standing in the sunshine, Evelyn Lindsay exudes elegance and certainly turned heads.
Meimei Luong, 24, was snapped smiling enthusiastically last weekend as she worked at the Food Festival…and she certainly had good reason to grin as she was picked out for looking well dressed!Working in recruitment, Meimei says her style is “quirky” and when asked about her favourite retail stores, she claimed to shop mostly in H&M and Zara. She is pretty much a walking advertisement for H&M, as... she admitted that everything she was wearing was from the high street brand! “My blazer is from H&M. Oh, and my shorts. And the tights. And my necklace!”
Blazers are bang on trend during this switch between seasons as the weather chops and changes from mild and sunny to rainy and cold. Meimei works the sophisticated garment by teaming her suave navy blue number with a classy black vest.
Accessorising her laid back look with a cute silver necklace and a chunky Diesel belt makes for a tasteful finish, and her sheer black tights and boots combo are winter appropriate.
Cool sunglasses? Check. Pretty print scarf? Check. With her glowing tan and shiny locks, Amy O’Connor managed to stand out amidst the bustle in Birmingham last Saturday when hundreds of tourists passed through Victoria Square for the Food Festival, live BRMB broadcast, and the protests!It’s no surprise Amy is inspired by the likes of Sienna Miller and Kate Moss, as her expensive and fashionable look mirrors any A-list celebrity. Her brown leather handbag and chunky cream cardigan make for a classically effortless style which is laid back and ever so pretty.
The solicitor, 26, likes to mix and match clothes, stating her look as “casual” and spending a healthy £100 a month on clothes. Shopping mostly in Forever 21, Topshop and New Look, Amy is a firm believer that you should wear what you feel comfortable in.
Her main fashion tip is to always overdress: “if you’re going to a new restaurant and don’t know what it’s like, it’s always best to dress up instead of being casual.”
Hello-Birmingham got a little taste of culture bumping into these 2 fashionable ladies last Saturday! Taya Chadawong, 27 is an electronics engineer and Zara Kendrick, 26, is a marketing assistant and together they radiated oriental beauty in their elegant hot pink and jet black silk gowns.They described their style as “oriental, ethnic, traditional and energetic” and purchased their floor length dresses from an Islamic event.
The pair looked sensational in their classy Chinese outfits and glamorous hairstyles. Taya is a big fashion follower and likes retro pieces. She spends a decent amount of money on clothes – she admitted that she will pay for items at good prices but refuses to pay ridiculous amounts for designer gear. They like shopping in Topshop, River Island and Hollisters.
Classic, cute, chic…Snowy Fu is a 21 year old student who sure knows how to combine clothes.
A crisp white blouse teamed with a cute cardigan and sleek lavender scarf makes for a colourful and interesting look.
Snowy describes her style as “convenient”, purchasing most of her outfits from her hometown China but browsing Birmingham for high street goods also. She enjoys shopping in the Bullring and buys clothes from Selfridges and House of Fraser.
Snowy doesn’t spend a lot of money of clothes – the cardigan she sports in the above photograph was handmade by her mother. This homemade watermelon-coloured piece looks cosy and girly – Snowy said she has another one in lemon yellow, and she thinks they are “very convenient”.
A crisp white blouse teamed with a cute cardigan and sleek lavender scarf makes for a colourful and interesting look.
Snowy describes her style as “convenient”, purchasing most of her outfits from her hometown China but browsing Birmingham for high street goods also. She enjoys shopping in the Bullring and buys clothes from Selfridges and House of Fraser.
Snowy doesn’t spend a lot of money of clothes – the cardigan she sports in the above photograph was handmade by her mother. This homemade watermelon-coloured piece looks cosy and girly – Snowy said she has another one in lemon yellow, and she thinks they are “very convenient”.
Recruitment consultant Maria Higginson believes her style is quite mismatched. We would prefer to call it experimental.
The 29 year old prefers to have her own style, and favours department store House of Fraser. Maria admitted to spending far too much money on clothes: “I still have bags lying at home with clothes in them which still have labels on!”
The shopaholic is currently favouring her yellow pleated skirt, which certainly fits the bill for the upcoming cold weather we are soon to be receiving.
Maria looks comfortable and casual in her stylish scarf and snug cream jumper which is accessorised nicely with her on-trend off the shoulder satchel.
Maya Champaneria worked the floral look in Birmingham last Saturday in a girly and casual outfit perfect for shopping on a mild October afternoon. Maya doesn’t always wear what is current; she thinks people should wear clothes to suit their personalities and she likes House of Fraser and Topshop. She tries not to follow fashion but she changes her style accordingly for the varying seasons – a wise and understandable move.
Her favourite items are her Uggs because they “go with anything and feel like duvets” on her feet! There’s definitely no denying the satisfaction of slipping into woolly footwear on a chilly day…
Tyler Wainwright, a 16 year old student, works the punk style incredibly well whilst browsing Birmingham on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
Standing out from the crowd with her alternative style, Tyler teams ripped fishnets with chunky black lace-up boots and a quirky fringed skirt. Her heavy black eyeliner completes the look, complementing her wonderfully vibrant orange and pink hair.
She summarises her style as “punky, metal and vintage” and has a tendency to shop in charity shops for “outrageous vintage clothes”.
Unbelievably, her eccentric ensemble is comprised of items on an attainable budget – Tyler said: “Everything I’m wearing costs less than a fiver.” Impressive!
Faiza Hassan is a 27 year old researcher who is sporting a very colourful headscarf with a contrasting combination of hues.
Teaming the traditional Indian garment with classic black makes the colours pop, and timeless dolly shoes complete this casual style.
Faiza said: “I shop in a mixture of places, including TopShop, Primark and Marks & Spencer.”
Claiming to not be bothered about keeping up with the latest fashion trends, she prefers to wear “earthy” colours such as blue and white.
Jan Arkwright, 51, is a style savvy broadcast journalist who believes that your outfits should act as a way to express yourself.“I would say my style is a combination of eclectic, smart and scruffy – I like the contrast.” Jan explains. She is inspired by 90’s fashion and enjoys picking out different items of clothing and combining them together.
Jan looks chic and classy in a traditional cashmere jumper, chequered TopShop shorts and vintage boots. Her favourite item of clothing is a red tartan jacket which is tailored and flares out at the ends and she adores American designer Betsey Johnson.
Jan favours retail stores TopShop, Urban Outfitters and Aquascutum (situated in the Mailbox). Speaking of her shopping habits, Jan claims she only purchases clothes she really likes: “I am willing to spend a lot of money on clothes I like because I want to enjoy wearing them.”
Xrynyue Hu is a 23 year old hospitality student who prefers to shop in River Island, Forever 21 and Veromoda.
When asked about stylish celebrities, Xrynyue said that Victoria Beckham always looks well dressed.
Xrynyue describes her look as “freestyle” with a heavy Japanese inspiration. She admitted that she likes wearing comfortable clothes the most. We selected Xrynyue from the crowds because she looks seasonally appropriate in a brown leather jacket and snug fluffy boots that are bound to keep her warm during these windy autumn afternoons. Accessorising her fashionable look with a sassy orange satchel and a cute polka dot scarf, she looks every inch the stylish student.
Half Spanish, half Italian fashionista Anna Isabella caught our eye by the Central Library as she breezed by looking flawlessly fashionable in an expensive looking outfit complete with gorgeous lilac sandals.The 28 year old solicitor prides herself on having a modern, classy, quality style and is very conscious of her appearance: “I think it is very important to follow fashion trends.”
The fashion follower favours Italian brands such as Dolce & Gabbana and Armani but she also “loves the English style”, shopping frequently in the Mailbox. She likes the style of Italian model Monica Bellucci, stating she looks “classy and modern at the same time”.
Anna has attended many fashion events in Milan and Spain, and was eager to attend the fashion week in Birmingham. She believes it is important to spend a lot of money on clothes because it’s a way of cheering you up.
Lee Findley is a 38 year old builder who looks super-casual and chilled out whilst strolling through Birmingham in this simple, comfortable outfit.
The contrast of the black baggy combats with the slightly more fitted bright red t-shirt works well, and the Nike sweatbands add a sporty vibe.
A bit of a “rocker”, Lee prefers to wear red, yellow and black and he enjoys wandering around the Birmingham market for any bargains. Generally, he enjoys shopping in Primark the most.
He admitted that he doesn’t spend a lot of money on clothes, but he does occasionally splash out on designer clothes: “I treat myself to designer stuff if it’s in the sale.”
Victor Valentine, a 22 year old cleaner, looks effortlessly cool as he poses in Victoria Square, working an inspirational rock ‘n’ roll style.
His look, which combines leather trousers with a trendy white blazer, is embellished perfectly with statement gloves and quirky sunglasses.
Victor purchases his clothes from a whole host of places including the internet, shops and markets. He describes his style as “plain alternative” and claims he can be heavily influenced by the dress sense of the front men of rock bands: “if I like what I see, I will take on their style.”
Oozing professionalism at the Food Festival, promoter Ciaran Heather stood at his stall looking sophisticated and effortlessly cool.
Working front of house for his career, he admitted it’s important to look good in the hospitality industry, so he chooses to spend quite a lot of money on clothes. Specifically, he buys his shirts from Zara and shops in the Bullring regularly.
The 24-year old labelled his style as “contemporary, elegant and cool”…can’t really argue with that! Mr Heather is the definition of smart and exudes confidence in his grey corporate trousers, baby blue striped shirt and skinny black tie combo.
Well groomed and neat, Ciaran definitely rocks the presentable businessman look and stands with an air of purpose.
Working front of house for his career, he admitted it’s important to look good in the hospitality industry, so he chooses to spend quite a lot of money on clothes. Specifically, he buys his shirts from Zara and shops in the Bullring regularly.
The 24-year old labelled his style as “contemporary, elegant and cool”…can’t really argue with that! Mr Heather is the definition of smart and exudes confidence in his grey corporate trousers, baby blue striped shirt and skinny black tie combo.
Well groomed and neat, Ciaran definitely rocks the presentable businessman look and stands with an air of purpose.
Looking every inch the cool and carefree student is Shyelle Prescod. The 18 year old stood out from the crowds in Pigeon Park as he strolled by in his well put together outfit.
Shyelle normally shops in Topman and Selfridges and describes his style as “casual”. He thinks it’s important to follow fashion trends because in this time “everyone follows pop culture”.
Iconic fashion expert Gok Wan is his inspiration because he “keeps up with the latest trends” and “caters for everyone”.
We love the contrast of the casual three quarter length jeans merged with the more formal upper attire – Shyelle certainly has the ability to match pieces together superbly.
The overall outfit is neat and well-co-ordinated and the neon laced pumps add a splash of vibrancy to the neutral black, white and denim combination. Topping off the chic style with an on-trend bowler hat and convenient satchel, Mr Prescod proves he can accessorise effectively – top marks in the fashion stakes!
Jonathan Bridgewater has found the perfect balance between smart and casual in this effortlessly cool outfit. The 19 year old exudes confidence whilst looking comfortable in his corporate beige trousers and white trainers, and the green hooded jacket adds a touch of vibrancy to the otherwise neutral ensemble.
Jonathan prefers H&M, as “it’s pretty cheap and they have lots of good stuff”, and he spe...nds around £30 a month on clothes. He believes everyone follows fashion trends to a certain extent if they shop regularly in the high street.
The media student thinks Jared Leto has good fashion sense, claiming he “gets away with wearing anything, plus he promotes the slim fit look”. His favourite item of clothing is his black Fred Perry polo top, and he would never wear v neck t-shirts that show the chest, because he “couldn’t really pull it off!”
When asked for a fashion tip, Jonathan said: “Get female input, they know more than we ever will when it comes to fashion!
