No one knows party dressing quite like Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey. They are, of course, the best-friend co-founders of cult brand RIXO – the fashion set’s go-to brand for playful, vintage inspired silk dresses and separates.
Having dressed everyone from Margot Robbie and Selena Gomez to Kylie Minogue, we decided it was high time the achingly hip duo shared their own party dressing secrets. Read on to find out how to get ready like a RIXO girl…
“Henrietta and I don’t really pre-plan our outfits – we just choose what we fancy in that moment. What we pair together is all down to personal taste, what we think works well and what we feel our best in,” Orlagh tells us.
Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey
“We don’t really follow any specific dressing rules or trends, we just wear what we love. We eat, live, breathe and wear RIXO so you’ll probably catch us in one our pieces. There’s not one piece of RIXO we’ve produced that I haven’t loved! We always style by mixing in a little vintage, so we’re not head-to-toe one brand.” Henrietta adds.
The London Colleage of Fashion graduates both believe that staying true to your own style is the key to sartorial success. “Don’t wear something you don’t feel good in just because it’s the latest ‘trend’. Orlagh and I have always lived by that. As long as you really love it, you’ll feel your best in it.” Henrietta asserts.
Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey are continuously inspired by vintage prints
Prints play an integral part in every RIXO collection, with precious time spent perfecting the scale and colour of each design to make sure the pieces marry their vintage inspiration with a modern aesthetic, too. Needless to say, the girls are the brand’s best ambassadors.
“We tend to mix prints a lot whether day-to-day or for a party look – if we’re going on a night out there’s perhaps more opportunity to wear one of our sequin styles. We’ll always have our vintage jewellery on (the more, the better), so that’s something that’s a constant go-to part of our style.”
RIXO is inspired by decades past, and Orlagh and Henrietta are constantly drawing upon styles, prints and style icons that define those eras – for their collections as well as their personal style.
Michelle Retro Flower Stripe mini dress, RIXO
“We love the free-spirited and empowered dressing of the 60s, 70s and 80s. We’re really inspired by strong female icons from those times– Joni Mitchell, Cher, Princess Diana, Bianca Jagger, Jerry Hall, Grace Jones, Jane Birken…” Henrietta says.
As for the ultimate party dress – you’ll be hard pushed to pick just one from their current offering. But for Henrietta, the Rose dress beckons every time. “It’s always my go-to for a party piece. I’d pair with our Olive gold chain or Dusty pink printed bag and for shoes I’d wear my Terry de Havilland platforms,” she enthuses.
Rose Ombre Paisley midi dress and Olive chain embellished bag, RIXO
“Definitely our sequin styles Tyra, Celia and Emmy or if I’m feeling like a mini number Michelle, Florence and Harriet dresses will be what I go for! If the event is a little more casual I’d wear our sequin hazel top with some nice jeans. I will be finishing my look with one our Amelie bags and my strappy heels from Manolo Blahnik or Gina.” Orlagh adds.
Given that they run one of the most in-demand labels of the moment, time is a luxury they don’t seem to have when it comes to getting ready. “We each wouldn’t spend more than 30 minutes to an hour getting ready. We’ll listen to upbeat house music to get us in the mood for a dance,” Orlagh says.
Rose Pink Psychedelic Butterfly dress, RIXO
The designers are both fashion and beauty advocates and with the industry at their finger tips, so who better to guide us through the beauty rituals and products used to prep for a girls night out.
“For hair and make-up we usually both go for quite a natural look. We both love skincare and day-to-day we’ll not wear much make up if any at all. We both love a very hot shower so we’ll start getting ready by showering and then applying Omorovicza firming body oil head-to-toe. We’ll let our hair dry naturally after adding a touch of Moroccan Oil and if we’re going for a more of a wavy look we’ll have our hair plaited while drying.”
Emmy Multi Stripe Sequin dress and Daisy Bunch Shadow Floral dress, RIXO
“For an evening make up look we’ll go for natural dewy skin using Charlotte Tilbury’s Wonder Glow and a sweep of bronze shimmer on our eyelids from our Nars Eyeshadow Palette. YSL’s Touche Éclat Illuminating Pen is also something we both swear by. We’ll keep lips neutral and apply Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream so they are well moisturised. For brows, Glossier’s Boy Brow and Lash Slick are our go-to for a natural but full look,” she adds.
“Henrietta and I live with our best friend Rebecca and my twin Gemma lives around the corner from us in London, so our favourite night out would definitely involve them both. The perfect formula for the best night out is good people and great music – we both love to dance!” Orlagh explains.
Antoinette Floral Giraffe print silk-blend dress, RIXO
Of course, every good night out requires a little TLC the following day, so how do the style set survive the morning after?! “We are really passionate about looking after our skin- we always make sure to remove all of our make-up after a night out and drink lots of water.”
“We love Ren’s Micro Polish Cleanser and Ready Steady Glow AHA toner. To moisturise Orlagh will go for Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, while I’ll use ESPA’s Optimal Skin Pro Serum and Liz Earle’s Super Skin Moisturiser. The next day we’ll also have our Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist in our bags, so we can keep our skin refreshed and hydrated.”
As well being diligent with skincare, they both love to indulge in a steam and sauna at White City House in West London, where they try to banish the toxins. After that, all that’s left to do is pop on an effortless Rixo number, and head out for brunch.
Shop RIXO’s party looks here.
- Words by Elaine Lloyd-Jones
