gIRL series: Alice

Alice and I met in the most millennial way: through instagram. I think we must’ve followed each other for at least a couple of years before we met IRL on a press trip –  where, happily, we got on just as much as we thought we would. Alice is my go to girl for vintage outfit inspiration – not only in clothes, something about her beauty, too, reminds me of another time. She writes wonderfully and whenever I read her in depth, personal articles on her blog it always reminds me how I love writing and  reading longer form pieces, too. Her blog and instagram page both portray a thoughtful, observing demeanour which is echoed in her personality. She’s based in Manchester so last time she was in London we managed to shoot her in her hotel room for gIRL. Below she answers my questions on beauty.

Being with my friends and family – I always feel accepted and beautiful when I’m around people who are on the same wave length and there’s zero pretence. I also feel beautiful whenever the sun is on my skin (cheesy, I know). This year I took a trip to Portugal and there was a day where I was walking down a deserted beach by myself (collecting as many shells as I could), and I think it’s the most peaceful I’ve felt in a long while. I guess things that feel the most natural make me feel the most beautiful.

I don’t think I have a clever or profound answer for this. I think beauty is conceptual and maybe that’s what makes it beautiful. It’s a different kind of magic for everyone and that’s what makes life so exciting. For me personally, it can be as small as a line in a book that I connect with, a building I’ve never noticed before, or just someone opening up and expressing themselves.

I think I’d have to say my Mum. She’s just the strongest, kindest, and most generous soul that I’ve ever known. She’s been through so much yet still manages to have the best sense of humour and an unwavering childlike playfulness. She’s been the biggest and most constant role model in my life, and has really helped me to see the beauty in myself at times when I haven’t seen any.