Style movers and shakers... the 1000 London's most influential people 2012

The capital continues to lead world fashion, thanks to the tireless work of its most creative talents. Fashion editor Karen Dacre gives the lowdown on six new industry names who have entered the Standard’s prestigious annual list of influencers
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1 November 2012

Sharmadean Reid, founder of WAH Nails

Stylist, mother and entrepreneur, Reid worked under stylist extraordinaire Nicola Formichetti before founding WAH Nails in 2010. Having moved to London from Wolverhampton more than a decade ago, Reid found herself inspired by the street style of Hackney. “Nothing inspires me more than the rude boys and rude girls on the street. They wear their clothes differently, and they dress in packs. When I was at Central St Martins I became obsessed with copying their grey sweatsuit look. I’d wear one to lectures with heels and everyone would laugh at me”. These days designers such as Givenchy, Céline, and Wang are Reid’s most Googled. Her staples include pony skin, leather and “lots” of gold. But she’s no fan of shopping. “I avoid it. It’s way too stressful. I’m an online advocate! I remember when Yoox and Net-a-Porter launched. They’re my generation’s Littlewoods catalogue.”

Winter wish: “Learning to drive. Nothing is more stylish than a girl with a car. I want a black Jeep to match my look. Also I wouldn’t mind some Givenchy knee boots.”

Alex Brownsell, salon owner and hairstylist

The pretty face behind London’s all-encompassing dip-dyeing trend, hairstylist Alex Brownsell cut her teeth on shoots for Dazed and Confused and i-D before opening Bleach in Dalston in 2010. As revered for her signature look — “it’s swampy, big hair with granny floral prints and everything mismatched” — as she is her hair-dyeing skills, Brownsell has been through a host of fashion phases including one in which she channelled Stevie Nicks. Her favourite designers include budding stars Mollie Goddard, Ashley Williams and Claire Barrow, although her daily dressing routine is determined by how she feels. “I’m continuously inspired by people having loads of fun,” she says. “Teenagers going mental and being excited because they just moved here, just remembering how it feels to be like that, suddenly being allowed to dress however you want, say whatever you want and stay up for days.”

Winter wish: “I lost my leather jacket the other week so I’m on the hunt for a new one, it might take a while. I also want a green fur coat. I may just dye one with hair dye.”

Caroline Issa, Executive Fashion Director, Tank Magazine

If it weren’t for Issa, street style photographers would have little more to do than twiddle their thumbs during show season. The former model-turned-management consultant-turned-magazine editor, has made a global name for herself as walking style plate. Issa describes her look as “easy and tailored”. “I like practical outfits that let the shoes do the talking,” she says. Her favourite designers include Miuccia Prada, Jason Wu, Paul Smith and Alber Elbaz, while her favourite boutiques include Matches — “they serve coffee and have great salespeople,” she says. Coloured cashmere is Issa’s current vice, although she’s already thinking about what to wear next spring: “I’ll be brightening up my outfits with embroidered shoes,” she says.

Winter wish: “Tom Ford thigh-high boots with metal-tip heel, Frederic Malle’s Portrait of a Lady perfume, and pretty much all of the Miu Miu resort collection.”

Yasmin Sewell, creative consultant

Sewell moved to London from Australia 20 years ago. After falling in love with the city’s eccentricity — “you can be anything you want here,” she says — she opened Yasmin Cho, a boutique in Soho, before taking a job on the Browns buying team. A purveyor of a pretty masculine look with the occasional A-line dress thrown in, Sewell is a consultant for a host of major retailers. She also writes a blog for Vogue and is a regular on the front row. Her favourite designers include Stella McCartney, Balenciaga, Prism, Peter Pilotto and JW Anderson, although a new concept store in Shoreditch “that no one knows about yet” is currently floating her boat. “It combines fashion, lifestyle and spirituality,” says Sewell. “I personally love this combination”.

Winter wish: “I’m in need of knitwear. Céline does it so well.”

Boo George, photographer

One of the capital’s most exciting young fashion photographers, Boo George assisted Bruce Weber before going it alone. Inspired by documentary-style fashion imagery — “I want (my pictures) to feel as real as possible,” he says — George is a regular fixture on the pages of Vogue, Arena Homme Plus and V. He also works with a host of designers, including Giles Deacon and Louis Vuitton. Born in County Wicklow in Ireland in 1981, George counts London life and its street style as a key inspiration. His favourite labels include classic brands such as Ralph Lauren and Levi’s.

Winter wish: “Another pair of Chelsea boots and as many Aran sweaters as my mum can knit me.”

Sasha Wilkins, blogger

Under the pseudonym Liberty London Girl, Wilkins writes a blog about her life spent between London and New York which enjoys some 90,000 hits per week. “In London I have the creative freedom to be able to do whatever I want,” she says. A former fashion editor, Wilkins is the founder of LLG Media, which encompasses her award-winning blog Libertylondongirl.com and her social media consultancy business LLGConsults. While her personal style is relatively restrained, she describes her taste as “streamlined” and likes heels and chandelier earrings.Her little black book of favourite designers includes McQueen, Mary Katrantzou and Giles. North London-based Wilkins counts NW1 among her favourite shopping sites: “There’s a lot more to Camden than Goths, tourists and drunk teens,” she says.

Winter wish: “I’m still looking for the perfect pair of pointy toe orange leather stilettos.”

The 1000, London’s Most Influential People 2012 in association with Burberry, is published on November 8.

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