I have always thought that a city’s soul can be found in its bodies of water and the tales told along their banks. The Quayside is more than just a visually appealing stretch along the River Tyne. It’s a vibrant, living emblem of Newcastle’s spirit, where the past and the present collide.
The promenade along the Quayside is storied in ways that few other locations I know can match. Every time I find myself walking along it, I feel the pull of history onto which has been draped a fresh, modern vibe. From the Quayside, I look out onto the River Tyne.
And it stares back at me. My venture into combining tradition with the modern began on an unusually chilly morning when the mist clung to the water like a secret waiting to be uncovered. I found myself irresistibly drawn to a quaint little shop that was tucked away near the historic warehouses.
There, amongst the stacks of vintage blouses and timeworn accessories, I stumbled upon a stunning silk scarf by a local designer that immediately spoke to the combination of tradition with something a little more cutting-edge. That day, with the scarf wrapped perfectly around my neck, I realized that fashion—at least the kind I was interested in—was about not just what was new or old, but how you wove together your experiences into something that felt very much you. In the early days of my writing and styling career, I was entranced by the beauty of Newcastle’s architectural heritage.
The lovely brick walls and timeless stone edifices that line the Quayside are taken for granted even by those who call this city home. But these structures, much like the myriad of garments that comprise the modern wardrobe, once had a purpose and a utility that now seems remote. As I began to cross the bridge from the runway to the everyday, I turned to the hallowed halls of Newcastle’s history for guidance.
With an eye tuned to Carolina Herrera, and with the brushstrokes of Elke K. still fresh in my mind, I started to think. How could I—working in what I affectionately now call my urban styling lab—turn the portraits of 242 years Painted from within the shadows of 7-11 Stoubro Street into the canvases of modern looks?
One evening, I went to a pop-up event that took place in an old warehouse by the Quayside. A former industrial space, the venue had been transformed into something that was part old-world charm, part cutting-edge design—exposed brick walls serving as a backdrop for bold, modern art adorning the room. It was in this somewhat surreal space that I mingled with a mostly local group of fashion enthusiasts.
I knew some of them by sight (or sight and sound—Susie Lau, for instance, has been a long-time style inspiration and personal crush of mine, and even when she is not on stage, she exudes a fashion sense that is at once earthy and otherworldly). I could also hear a local designer named Jorja talking with the group next to me. Jorja’s work I recognized from a recent installment of Project Runway, and if anyone knows sustainable fashion, Jorja does.
The ideas behind this soon became the DNA of my work. While I had taken up a job as a visual assistant at a high-end Parisian store, it became my responsibility to anchor my silhouettes in the studio to the city. I began to look at fashion as a powerful means of self-expression, not just for myself but for my future clients.
I thought about what I had been told by a wise aunt when I was a teenager: “When you get dressed, you are making a statement.” And I considered how that statement could carry the power to change the world. Because when it came down to it, the right outfit could give a woman the courage to take on anything. To me, fashion has always been about more than aesthetics; it’s a form of storytelling.
My very first couture moment happened on a chilly autumn day and was the direct offspring of a creative brainstorming session with a handful of local artists. Having just come from a meeting where the juices had been flowing, I was ready to don something that was not only beautiful but had a very palpable connection to the city precisely along with the Quayside where I was going to be that day. What I wore was nothing less than a tribute to my muse: the north of England, and specifically Newcastle, where I live and work.
Every single detail of the hand-stitched bomber jacket I put on that day mattered. The design itself was what you might consider—if you were being nice—a nod to industrial design. But there was so much more in the mix.
The influence of Quayside goes far beyond fashion and extends into a worldview, a provocation to see life differently. It is not about what you wear, but how you carry what you wear. The real influence of the Quayside extends to instilling a new way of seeing life.
They have taught me to see the beauty in imperfection. The hard edges of our past can be polished and reconstituted into something modern and sophisticated. Change is embraced in the UK, forever moving forward.
Yet, there is a real veneration for heritage that does not slip into nostalgia. From British institutions like Burberry that mix tradition with modernity and artfulness, to look for a new kind of masculinity in a Qasimi or to really see the political potency of fashion as a young designer, one finds a true spirit of resilience wrapped around a deliciously redefined excellence. What I find attractive is the combination of old and new, with the Quayside providing the ideal setting for this conversation.
The historic warehouses and modern glass-fronted cafés create a visual mixture that perfectly resonates with the fashion choices I make. I often find myself sparked by the street art that sprawls on the walls nearby, bold pieces that challenge the very nature of the status quo. If street art can do that, why not let fashion do the same?
Fashion is the very thing that permits the ordinary to be challenged and that commands fresh eyes to look upon it. For me, the path of personal style is something of a parallel narrative to my life’s journey. It’s not just about the look; it’s about a narrative woven with threads of experience, memory, and serendipitous moments.
I might have a pretty polished appearance, but that’s part of the philosophy: to understand that every piece of what one might call clothing carries a history, and that the very fabric of our lives (and certainly my life) is stitched together with pretty well-timed plot twists. For instance, last week I found myself at the Mills College thrift store. I paired a vintage blazer I got there with a pretty keyhole neckline top from a more recent Target run.
The fashion world takes a lot of heat for being a contributor to modern environmental problems, and rightfully so. Yet when it comes to the discussion, whether in a professional setting or at a dinner party, I often find myself in an unpleasant spot. Not only am I an industry insider, which gives me a bit of a target on my back, but I also work for a fashion company (albeit one that has made a strong commitment to not just talk the talk but also walk the walk when it comes to sustainability).
And not only that—I’m also a Brit, which makes me doubly suspect for working in a fashion industry that’s reputed to have a huge lifespan and a small footprint. Contemplating my evolution, I know that every ensemble is a testament to the transformative power of fashion. Each day, I take to the streets of this splendid city with the intention of curating looks that are as dynamic and multifaceted as the Quayside itself.
Whether I’m attending a fancy soirée or casually sipping coffee while people-watching, I do my level best to reflect the spirit of the Quayside—a spirit that is steeped in history yet utterly unafraid to embrace the modern age. This is what I call “Quayside Couture.”
In the end, fashion is a journey of self-discovery, a constant exploration of who we are and where we come from. The Quayside has taught me that nothing is more powerful than authenticity, that our personal style is a living reflection of our experiences, our dreams, and the legacy we choose to take forward.
Every piece I wear tells a chapter of my story, every carefully chosen accessory a reminder of the delicate balance between history and modernity. I invite you to join me in celebrating this intimate mix of old and new, to explore your own unique narrative, and to find beauty in the mix of heritage and modern aesthetics.
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