For years I have obsessed over the fabulous style advice and popping content that Who What Wear churns out weekly. Last week the ladies invited me to visit their beautiful central London office where I met the bubbly, gorgeous Alyss Bowen.
Alyss works as Associate Social Media Editor at Who What Wear, which makes her the go to lady for everything new, trending and up and coming. Did I mention that as well as working for the coolest digital fashion publication, she also happens to be just the most wonderful human?!
We wanted to know more so here is what Alyss has to say....
JC: First sentimental piece of jewellery you bought/were gifted? Why is it sentimental?
AB: My gold signet ring which I wear daily. It was my grandfathers who I unfortunately never met as he died before he was born but my mum gave me it holds a lot of sentimental value to me.
JC: How did your career start out and a brief timeline of your working/academic life?
AB: It took me a little while to realise I wanted to work in journalism and social media. I’d lived abroad in Rome after my undergraduate degree working as an au pair, then in a school as a teaching assistant so I always thought teaching would be the route I went down. I knew I wanted to study more so decided to go to some MA open days in Nottingham where I lived in at the time. I’d always loved writing and fashion so the magazine journalism course really stood out to me, and within a year I’d interned at places like Wonderland magazine and ASOS. After 6 months interning at ASOS working within the social division I knew I wanted to pursue a career in social media, and luckily for me, a job opened as Social Media Editor at The Debrief. From there I went onto work at Byrdie and now Who What Wear!
JC: What is it like working as media editor @whowhatwear?
AB: It’s so much fun and so varied! Day-to-day my role is centred around managing and scheduling our social channels. This covers everything from monitoring our Facebook traffic to community outreach to ensuring our Instagram is scheduled. The beauty of social means I get to experiment a lot with what works and what doesn’t, it’s a lot of trial and error to see what resonates with our audience and how we can give them the best content across all platforms! I love building our Instagram feed, it’s where I really play around with humour and deep dive through amazing archival fashion images for the feed. And going on shoots to film behind the scenes is always so much fun!
JC: Any life hacks?
AB: Spend on skincare, save on makeup. I've been using Collection's Fast Stroke Liquid Eyeliner and their concealer for over 10 years and it's still better than any other expensive makeup product I've tried.
JC: Favourite Instagram account?
AB: @lisasaysgah - their feed is SO FUN, and I love how they create a story for their products on IGS.
JC: Best album of all time?
AB: Hardest question of all time and honestly I'm not sure I can pick... Either Radiohead In Rainbows or Arcade Fire Neon Bible.
JC: Favourite spot in London?
AB: Can I say my bedroom? I live opposite a park in Stoke Newington and when the sun sets into my room it’s my favourite place in the world. If my bedroom doesn’t count then Broadway Market on a Sunday morning when it’s quiet for coffee.
JC: Top three boutique shops in the world?
AB: Modern Society in London, The Frankie Shop in Paris and Holly Golightly in Copenhagen!
Thank you Alyss for taking the time to answer these questions. I second that Radiohead's In Rainbows is also on my top albums of all time! What a pick!
Love,
Sinead xox
