I recently met up with stylist, Crystal Deroche in Soho, London and seeing her in this fabulous get-up, I couldn’t resist having a mini photo-session with her. Here is a stylish snippet of what we spoke about-
SHF- What are you wearing today?
Crystal- I’m wearing an embellished Anita Quansah jacket, the earrings and jumpsuit are from River Island. I got my patent stilettos from Barratts, and my jewellery and bag are from various boutiques in Paris.
SHF- How would you describe your style?
Crystal- My style is very eclectic and reflects my multi-cultural background. I was born in France, but raised with the Nigerian culture.
SHF- Which is your favourite city to shop in and why?
Crystal- Paris, because there are lots of boutiques and markets where you can find unique pieces at a decent price.
SHF- What’s your favourite shop in Paris?
Crystal- There’s a small vintage boutique in Paris called Citron Vert, and I go there very often. They often have new stock which they get from various parts of France.
SHF- What has been your most recent and favourite purchase?
Crystal- A silk, black jumpsuit from a boutique in Drancy, which is in the suburbs of Paris. They have lots of pieces which were unable to sell in shops.
SHF- That’s a very trend-savvy purchase, due to the current 70′s trend, you can’t swing a Fendi bag in a high street clothing shop without knocking over a few jumpsuits. Describe yours.
Crystal- It has a very 70′s feel as the trouser legs are flared. I really liked the simplicity of it because it allows me to dress it up or down, as I please. For instance, I can always add a few strong statement jewellery pieces to give it some punch.
SHF- What is your favourite S/S 11 trend?
Crystal- Definitely the 70′s trend, I love the way it has been re-vamped through use of shape, colour and print.
SHF- And on the flip side, which is your least favourite S/S 11 trend?
Crystal- the nude and pastel colour trend. Those colours just don’t work on my skin tone.
SHF- Who is your stylish icon?
Crystal- Grace Jones because her style is edgy and unique. Like her, I aspire to be my own individual.
SHF- Which are your favourite high-fashion magazines?
Crystal- Numero, Arise and Umno (which is an online magazine). I also go on blogs like Fashionisto.
SHF- Looking back, do you cringe when you think of some of the fashion faux-pas you made?
Crystal- Yes! In high school, I was obsessed with Michael Jackson and I used to wear those tapered black trousers that didn’t quite reach your ankles.
SHF- But that’s a very trendy way to wear trousers now.
Crystal- Not the way I wore them!
SHF-Which film or TV characters have inspired you, due to their style?
Crystal- I loved Jennifer Hudson’s style in ‘Dream Girls’, so much so, that I felt I could relate to her more than any of the other female characters. She was trendy and glamorous, but she was also ‘real’, and I liked that.
For more information about Crystal, please go to www.crystalderoche.co.uk
