Shot at home in West London, Emily and Olivia wear Sophie Lis jewellery throughout the shoot. Pictured here, Emily (left) wears our Sundance mini and XL hoops and Oliva wears our XL Shooting Star pearl hoops together with diamond Shooting Stars.
It seems forever ago we selected this formidable and stylish duo as our next inspirational women feature. Lockdown has been long and the world is certainly a rather different place than before, however looking at how businesses can survive, adapt and hopefully thrive is all the more interesting and relevant.
It is my pleasure to introduce Lady Emily Compton and Olivia Buckingham who together form bespoke styling service “Emily & Olivia”.
Long-time friends and West London locals, the pair have a combined 15 years of experience in the fashion industry. Emily is a former society editor to Tatler magazine and continues to contribute to the publication while Olivia is a contributing editor to Vogue Hong Kong.
Since Olivia’s return to the UK from HK in 2018, the pair have also consulted on and hosted events for luxury fashion brands, glamorous charity fundraisers and are regulars on the front row at New York, Paris and Milan fashion week.
Due to their involvement in the fashion world and high profile globetrotting, they have developed a unique understanding of how to dress in the most diverse and exclusive settings and their combined knowledge of fashion is second to none. No one knows better how to organise a wardrobe for any occasion, handle a fashion emergency or create a one time look to dazzle a crowd.
We sit down with the blonde bombshells and ask ten quick questions on just how they came to launch their company and how they have adapted to continue to make it work this year.
1.) Can you tell me how you met and the process that led to the formation of your friendship, partnership and ultimately your company?
We actually met at one of Andy Wong’s infamous Chinese New Year party at the Royal Courts of Justice fifteen years ago!! We kept in touch ever since and as the years went on, our friendship grew stronger. Upon Olivia’s return to London after ten years in Hong Kong, we got our heads together and started brainstorming over our mutual love of fashion. Our individual styles and love of creating looks organically led to a natural transition to styling and our style consultancy business Emily & Olivia was soon born.
Sundance XL and mini hoops
2.) Can you explain how Emily and Olivia styling service works?
We create tailor made styling solutions to suit the needs of each individual client. We pride ourselves on making every person feel like the best version of themselves and above all, comfortable so our approach is a nurturing and explorative experience. From a simple wardrobe edit to a full wardrobe detox, styling day to day essentials or red carpet looks, we do it all. Because we have direct relationships with the designers, no task is too big or too small. Be it latest season's hardest to get must have item to bespoke couture, we were once described by a client as “Fashion’s Fairy Godmothers” which really hit the nail on the head.
XL Shooting Star pearl hoops worn with our classic Shooting Star diamond hoops
3.) Can you describe your individual styles? How do they work together?
When it comes to our individual styles we have the same eye when it comes to our looks but wear them in totally different ways. For example, the iconic tuxedo. Emily might wear it with a skinny jean and white trainers and Olivia will pair it with high waisted trousers and high heels.
4.) What are your favourite go to fashion brands, hero pieces and couldn’t live without staples?
Emily: My hero piece is a Galliano dusty pink flamenco style dress I bought twenty years ago which I still wear today. I also love Celine accessories and Skiim sustainable leather for a night out. My staples consist of Fiorucci jeans, Isabel Marant t-shirt’s and Chanel trainers.
Olivia: I mostly can be found in my iconic Burberry trench or a tuxedo. I swear by Racil and Alexander McQueen. I’m rarely seen without statement earrings, Sophie Lis Fallen Star and Shooting Star combo have lived in my ears for over a year! I also love a boiler suit to go from day to night look when there isn’t time to go home and get changed.
Emily wears our Rockstar Drop hoops. Olivia combines our Supernova and Shooting Star hoops and Luna necklace
5.) Obviously Covid 19 and lock down has had a huge impact on your business with the disappearance of events to dress for. Can you tell us how you have filled the time or adapted the business? Can you work remotely?
With restrictions firmly in place during lockdown, we were forced as a business to look for different opportunities in a time of crisis. We now offer an exclusive virtual styling service via Zoom or What’s App. Wherever you are in the world we can help source pieces for you. Also what better time to clear out your wardrobe than now? After all a decluttered wardrobe helps to declutter ones mind! We began doing digital wardrobe detoxing which has proved a huge success and we plan to continue this new path as a full service for the business.
With lockdown lifted we can now travel to people’s homes within the social distancing regulations and guide our clients through what to keep, give away or resell in their wardrobes. Cleansing, restyling and rebuilding. Depending on the client’s needs we have relationships with established companies who specialise in re-sale, rentals or charity donations.
Emily wears our Rockstar Drop hoops with bespoke CODED ring
Olivia wears our Comet earring climber and Luna Necklace
6.) Given the current global situation, how do you see the fashion industry changing and how will you work differently in the future?
We are extremely lucky to work with Arizona Muse who as well as being an international model, is also educating us when it comes to awareness in sustainability and conscious clothing which were are introducing to our clients.
Emily pictured here in our Fallen Stardust hoops
7.) How important is jewellery to creating a look or outfit?
We both think jewellery is crucial when creating a full look, it is the ultimate way of personalising an outfit and really making it your own. Since most people own a few pieces of significant, meaningful jewellery such as gifts from someone special, engagement or wedding rings or pieces passed down through the family, we like to combine these sentimental items with a few new finds to really make an outfit complete.
Emily’s vibe is less is more whereas Olivia’s take is more is more so we can really give a client every option!
Olivia wears our Luna hoops stacked with a single gold hoop, Love pendant and long Mother of Pearl Compass pendant
8.) What is your favourite piece of Sophie Lis jewellery and why.
Emily wears the diamond shooting stars hoops to wear as her everyday staple. As we mentioned before, Olivia is not seen without her fallen star hoops but also loves adding the XL statement Shooting Star Pearl hoops for an extra WOW factor.
9.) When you’re not in the office, where can we find you?
In the Ladder shed at Chiltern Firehouse. Laylow. China Tang.
Favourite shops –JW Anderson in Soho, Christopher Kane on Mount Street, Assouline Store in Piccadilly.
Emily wears two plain gold hoops together with a diamond Sirius Star hoop in her left ear and a Fallen Moon necklace
Emily wears our Comet earring climber in her right ear again with Fallen Moon necklace
10.) Click your fingers and be……. With…..?
Emily – On the beach in Salcombe with my family.
Olivia – Marrakech with my BFF Arne.
Pictured here, Emily wears our Big Dipper double emerald cut diamond stud earring
Olivia wears our Comet earring climber together with Luna necklace