Laura Bailey is a busy woman. Not only is she an avid photographer, contributing editor, model for some of the biggest names in the industry and mother to son Luc and daughter Lola Tiger, she can now add another string to her bow, thanks to a collaboration with The Outnet’s Iris & Ink.
London born and bred, Laura has long been known for her eclectic sense of style, and was quick to realise that she could turn her passion for travel and aptitude for creativity into a thriving career. However, lockdown has seen her wardrobe choices morph into something more minimalistic and timeless, and it’s this newfound love of a seasonless wardrobe that inspired her limited edition capsule collection for Iris & Ink. “I always wanted this collection to be seasonless investment pieces designed to be worn again and again, accessorised to personal style. Pieces to make your own and be reinvented over time,” she tells MOJEH. “For me, a monochrome palette of luxe silk and velvet epitomises timeless style. A little black (or navy!) dress is forever, and my favourites have travelled around the world with me endlessly.”
As such, black and navy are at the heart of Laura’s new capsule, which comprises eight day-to-night hero pieces including a Sixties-inspired crepe mini dress, a silk day dress with white contrasting trim, an elegant silk Seventies-style peasant dress and polka-dot lace layer dress, served up alongside a relaxed velvet trouser suit and flowing jumpsuit. The star of the show, an asymmetric velvet evening gown, is simple yet extravagant, and sure to turn heads. “I wanted the collection to reflect both my real life and my fantasies, with each look designed to work dressed up or down, to be worn your way,” she says. It’s not just the desire to make her mark on a collection of pretty clothes that inspired Laura to turn her hand to fashion design – as a longtime ambassador for Save The Children, 10 per cent of retail sales from the collection are being donated to the charity. “I have been lucky to travel with the charity and see their work firsthand, and am proud to be a supporter in diverse ways in the UK and internationally,” she says. The money raised will help children in the toughest places to survive, offer protection and also give them the chance to learn.
It’s been obvious from the start that Laura’s style-icon status would be no passing fad, and her love of vintage fashion, photography and film is a strong driving force behind her own personal style, which has seen her grace many a best-dressed list and fashion week FROW over the years. Going forward, it looks like we’ll be seeing a much more pared-down Laura, as her style moves with the times – and that’s no bad thing. “The current crisis has made me both more minimal but more creative,” she shares. “I dress for myself and not an audience, so I’ve been more than ever drawn to emotional pieces, clothing attached to memories or friendships.”
Coming full circle to the current movement towards that seasonless wardrobe, we asked Laura what would be the one piece of advice she would give us when collating our outfits in a post-pandemic world. “Opt for pieces designed to last beyond trends. Hardworking elements that flatter and work with all body shapes and for all lifestyles,” she says. “I am always looking to refine and curate my wardrobe – often with a travel capsule in mind – the one dress I’d pack for a weekend in Paris, the trouser suit that can take me from a shoot worn with trainers to a cocktail in a heel.” Travel might be off the menu for now, but we’re sure there is much more to come from this all-round Renaissance woman, whose next grand adventure is always right around the corner. Shop the collection here.
