Editorial Director at The Outnet, Rebecca Tay. A Canadian living in London.
What’s your morning routine before work?
I’m definitely a night owl and not a morning person! I hit the snooze button on my alarm once or twice; I quickly do a dry body brush before jumping in the shower, get dressed, put on make-up, blow-dry my hair (if I have time), then out the door. For breakfast I have coffee at my desk.
How do you decide what to wear in the morning?
I usually check my calendar before I go to bed, so I start the day with any important meetings or social events already in mind. From there, I quickly decide on a category – a skirt or a dress if I have a more formal event; jeans or trousers if the day is looking more casual – then I build on from there. I have a pretty good mental rolodex of everything in my wardrobe, so it all comes together pretty quickly.
Three items you can’t live without?
Lipstick (which could double as blush in a pinch), a good pair of flats that work equally well dressed up or down (Chanel ballerinas or Gucci loafers are my faves) and a statement coat (my green Acne Studios leather biker for spring/summer and anything colourful for the winter).
Favourite place you like to go to in London?
I have so many! I have a favourite café, Bel & Nev, which is tiny, right by my house and so cosy. They also do the most delicious toasted banana bread. My favourite restaurant is Little Social in Mayfair. There’s a Canadian chef there who sometimes adds poutine to the menu. I love the grandness of the British Museum, and my favourite outdoor space is Holland Park.
What did you do last night?
I took the editorial and social media teams out for a Christmas celebration! We walked to a lovely pub in Holland Park called The Mitre. It’s a cosy-yet-chic spot with a good wine list and excellent chips.
Complete the sentence: My perfect holiday would be…
A combination of adventure and relaxation. In general, I love going to small islands or on seaside holidays – Bali, Hawaii, and the Maldives are all on my bucket list. I love reading a good book while lying in the sun, going for a dip in the ocean, walking along the beach and maybe doing a bit of snorkelling .
What book are you reading at the moment?
I started a beach read, ‘After You’, the sequel to ‘Me Before You’, after I saw the movie on my flight back from Bali. Before that, I read ‘The Evening of Garden Mists’ by Tan Twan Eng, which was shortlisted for the Booker a few years ago and was amazing.
Tell us a fact about you that nobody knows.
That’s a tough question! I’m pretty transparent and open – I can be prone to overshare – so I’m not sure there’s anything that nobody in the world knows!
Your favourite designer at the moment?
Delpozo! I love the use of colour, the amazing accessories and the overall sense of ‘quirky drama’.
Your current style inspiration?
I’ve always loved Giovanna Engelbert (née Battaglia) for her playful yet elegant style. She wears things so well, knows what suits her body type and looks put-together without ever appearing stiff or overdressed.
Who would you like to be stuck on a desert island with?
I would be pretty content for a while if I had my boyfriend Elliot, his sister Anna and her boyfriend Warren, my sister, her boyfriend and my two and a half-year-old niece all there with me. A few of our close friends would be good, too. One of my oldest friends, who I’ve known since I was six, also lives in London and I always feel like I don’t get to see him enough, so it would be nice to have him and his wife there too!
Three things you hate?
Hate is a pretty strong word, but I despise narrow-mindedness, dishonesty and I find a lack of self-awareness quite frustrating.
What’s your personal motto?
Be nice, be honest, work hard and travel often.
How do you want the world to remember you?
I would love to be remembered as someone who was kind, fun to be around, had interesting things to say, was always well dressed and looked stylish and lived an interesting life full of amazing experiences!
