Extravagant, talented, taboo-breaking, kind, unique... the list could seriously go on, and on, and on. Meet Lily Bling (aka @nosejob) - our guest stylist behind the "Naughty Noughties" capsule collection celebrating the fashion of the 2000s that was exclusively put together for Loop Generation. We sat down with Lily to learn more about his fashion journey and get the flavour of his taste.
Every fashion veteran like yourself has their fashion journey. What's yours?
Like every twink, I have loved fashion ever since I was a child. I was always very creative in school and in my spare time I would often draw women wearing dresses that accentuated the enormous cleavages I gave them. Growing up with a mother who adores fashion has also impacted me greatly and the way I see clothes; she would always have everything matching and was very detail orientated yet still daring. I guess my mother is partly responsible for my decision to pursue a career in styling (see mummy, it’s all your fault!!!) The majority of my archive consists of her 80s - 00s designer pieces, which I often look through for inspiration. When I left school I minced straight into Central Saint Martins, eventually graduating in 2017 with an MA in Fashion Image. CSM was a truly wonderful - albeit a little bonkers - experience where you’re encouraged to be as creative as you like. The people you meet become friends for life and I now have an incredibly solid network of like minded creatives that I can always rely on to collaborate (and party) with.
Your first style influence?
Mummy Bling!
Images: Zandra Rhodes and Lily Bling (left) and Lily Bling's styling for Vogue Italia's "Living Sculpture" photo shoot
Your memories of 2000’s?
Since I was a mere child and had no say in what I could wear for fear of being spanked, my mother would dress my brother and me in matching designer ensembles from top to toe, and both my sisters would match too. You could blame this on Mummy Bling’s flair for 00s style or her crippling OCD. We would always have an entirely new wardrobe every holiday, how $uSt@iNaBLe! The 00s were a time of excess and taking risks; people didn’t take fashion too seriously. To this day that is one of my biggest style mantras. Most people look back at the 00s and cringe at everyone’s penchant for tackiness, but for true fashion lovers like moi-self we see it as an inspiring time where the world was more carefree. Besides, who wants to be boring when you can be tacky?
Biggest fashion faux pas?
Trying to be someone you’re not. Be authentic! And don’t wear Margiela Tabi shoes. Or Zara.
How would you describe your style?
Like ancient history, I’ve had many eras and my style is still constantly changing. But one thing’s for sure, the older I get the more sure I am of what I definitely like and dislike. At the moment, I’m really into mixing things you wouldn’t typically put together - imagine a 60s moire silk lapel tailcoat from Savile Row with some bright pink Adidas trousers and a pair of Lobbs pon de feet... v moi! Being experimental and eclectic really excites me at the moment; style is about having no rules. I also like to add a bit of humour into my outfits for extra lol factor. But ask me this question again in a month and I may have a different answer!
Images: Lily Bling X Loop Generation photo shoot (photography: Jakub Koziel)
If you were a smell what would it be?
Portrait of a Lady by Frédéric Malle.
If you were to host a party with unlimited budget what would it look like?
Maybe it’s easier to list some things so you can share the vision: ridiculousness, grandeur, glamour, silver trays with lines of...’accoutrements’, dark rooms, funky music, tartiness, sex, exclusivity, flowers, lions, nude dancers, lasers, Taco Bell. Think Berghain meets a 90s Mugler show meets Palazzo Brandolini. It would be trashy and revolting in the most glamorous way possible.
Have you always been based in London? What makes someone a Londoner?
I grew up in the suburbs, but now I live in Central London. To be honest I find that London has become a little dry and uninspiring, maybe because I’ve been here my whole life and need new experiences. I’m definitely ready for a change, perhaps soon I’ll be swanning off to Milan or waltzing onto the Eurostar to Paris. I still think London is the best city in the world, especially for fashion. But I suppose sometimes you don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone. Having said that, maybe this means that more people will appreciate me when I’m gone!
What are you up to at the moment for work?
I’m currently working on a really exciting project with one of my favourite photographers. As a stylist and creative director each day is so different and I’m truly grateful to be able to do what I love. Sharing my vision with others is the best feeling in the world, after sex.
The future of fashion is...
Bleak! But the future of fashion should be: Fun! Daring! Unapologetic! Bonkers! Lol! Tarty! Savage! Sustainable! Not Zara!
"The 00s were a time of excess and taking risks; people didn’t take fashion too seriously. To this day that is one of my biggest style mantras."
Lily Bling
