Who? Monikh Dale @monikh   

What? Stylist/writer   

Where?  South London  

What is key for you to stay positive with everything that is happening in the world? Just keep going. We’re so lucky to have been able to stay safe and healthy during the pandemic, and I’m forever grateful for that. At such scary times in almost every industry I’ve stay positive by continuing to work, it’s actually been the perfect distraction, to have a little light relief via fashion. I’ve been working from home for the past 5 years now so my routine hasn’t changed too much, but I’ve made sure I’ve struck to it which isnt so easy when your partners at home. Also working out has been absolutely key for my mental heath, just 50 minutes of the day for me to switch off and sweat.    

Tell us shortly about how your carrieer in fashion started? I literally fell into styling after my Fashion Design degree. I always wanted to be a designer (still do) but I couldn’t purely because of finances. So I started working as a stylist to pay off my loans and then started to post appointments/outfits on instagram and my blog. I only started a blog after a few international clients asked for it, it quickly became my favourite ‘me time’ outlet - super therapeutic. I built this up and when I was ready I decided to do my own thing full time.   

  You studied fashion designing - tell us about your journey.  I loved deisgning and making clothes! It was something I had always know I wanted to do, there was never a question of my career path. Once the styling took over I couldn’t really find the time for it, but now I’ve got my hands on a new sewing machine I’ve started to do my own alterations again and it’s just such a buzz. I love being able to make something fit for my body, I’m 5’1 and find that a few alterations can really make something work for you instead of the masses. It’s also lovely to have something a little more customised to get people thinking about different ways of styling.   

Where do you find inspiration? I love architecture. It’s my dream to make a big family home for us one day, and I have started on a really small scale with decorating our new flat in south London. My fashion/beauty/interiors style is all based on the same basic rules. I want forever, ageless pieces that are calming and minimal.   

I wore whatever I thought was cool when growing up. So there was a lot of Spice Girls inspired looks, flares and striped tees, Adidas tracksuits with the poppers down the side.   

What key items do you have in your all year round wardrobe? A good leather jacket, the perfect fitting jeans (a little loose on the leg, fitted on the waist), Basic t-shirts, that one killer black dress, a cashmere jumper, white day dress. These are the type of things you can layer and wear forever.   

You said in the interview on instagram TV that you always work from home, what have you changes anything when it comes to routines during those 5 years? I use to be terrible with my routine! In pyjamas till midday, eating at all hours, tv on. This changed after the first year and I began a pretty strict routine which I stuck to till recently. During lockdown I realised that I had been missing out on time with my boyfriend, me time, and just that basic time to just relax as I was working 7 days a week. Now I try and only work on the weekdays, switching off in the evenings and weekends so I can be in the moment more. It’s a lot healthier for me.    

Envelope1976 believe in sustainability and classic pieces. Is there any item you think never will go out of fashion? A simple LBD will never go out. That why I always try to go for very minimal pieces, and if I have altered them, I’ll try to keep the fabric in there still incase I want to go back!  

 Do you remember your first vintage buy? I have never really got into vintage buying. I think it might be because I wanted to be a designer and was always thinking of new things, what was going to be next wow look never seen before. But saying that I have recently just got hold of a vintage pair of 501 Levis and I’m obsessed!    

You still redesign and customize your clothes,  Yes this year I’ve finally got back into it, and it was the lockdown that really reminded me that I still have those skills. I think it was easy for me to say before that I was too busy and to drop them off with the seamstress. But after forcing myself to do it, I’ve fallen back in love with sewing!    

Reuse of clothes is important to us, do you have any good advice for how to reuse clothes? If you’ve fallen out of love with something ask yourself why, is it the lenght/size/fit? Figure out what you can do to it to make it work for your body and style now, as we often change fashion lanes. A good seamstress is key but if you can do your own alterations even better!    

The secret behind your natural glow?any tips? I try so hard with my skin, and my main struggle is water, I dont drink enough so I now make sure that I always have a bottle/glass on the table with me. Being more conscious about it this year has actually made such a difference. Also I love vitamin c products, they give such an instant glow.   

What do you do to have a greener lifestyle? I invest in clothes I know I will have forever.  

Stronger together- what can we all do now?  Be kind.