What’s on a personal shopper’s Wish List? Kate shares her must-have buys
Get to know the tastes and styling tips of NET-A-PORTER’s Personal Shoppers as they each reveal what’s on their Wish List this season – and how they will be wearing their picks. Here, Kate, from our Asia-Pacific team, divulges her most-wanted pieces and why she loves them
“I was born in a very small city in Russia, but, growing up, I was lucky enough to travel all over Europe, the United States and China – and one thing that always fascinated me was how people’s sense of style changed from country to country. I spent these trips just walking around and people-watching, and as a souvenir I’d always buy myself an interesting new piece of clothing that I knew I’d never find back home. In fact, it’s something I still do when I travel today.
“I joined NET-A-PORTER in 2019. I was living in Beijing at the time, but when I was offered the role, I made the decision to move to Hong Kong [where the office is based] without a moment’s hesitation. Originally, I made the move to develop my career, but I’ve also fallen in love with the city and people here.”
“The most rewarding part of my job is when a client tells me that the outfit we selected for them – whether for a party, gala or wedding – made them feel like the most beautiful, stylish woman in the room
”
“Developing close relationships with your clients is probably the most important aspect of being a personal shopper. My clients and I shop together, but we also share pivotal experiences and moments such as promotions, big moves, weddings and babies; it’s those shared moments that make this job so special and bring us even closer. I’ve taken on some clients I haven’t had the chance to meet in real life just yet, which always makes styling them that bit trickier, but I love the challenge. The most rewarding part of my job is when a client tells me that the outfit we selected for them – whether for a party, gala or wedding – made them feel like the most beautiful, stylish woman in the room.
“My own style changes day to day, depending on my mood, but I’d say, overall, it’s classic with little twists that make it feel of the moment. That’s the best thing about fashion now – there are no boundaries or rules; it’s all about self-expression. I’ve lived in four different countries over the past 10 years, and my style has evolved slightly with each move.”
An oversized shirt
“I love the simplicity, ease and versatility of an oversized shirt. It’s a timeless piece that will always be relevant and can be styled hundreds of different ways. Like many others, I have been working from home for the past year and a half, so a crisp white shirt has been central to my look, making me feel polished but also incredibly comfortable. Labels like Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta and The Row combine amazing quality with design prowess. For work, I might style their shirts with straight-leg jeans and sleek mules, whereas for brunch I’ll keep it casual and layer an oversized style with a bralette and biker shorts, then finish with a pair of chunky sandals. For an alternative evening update, I just add a slick of red lipstick – I love the new Gucci Beauty shades – and swap in a pair of black heels.”
A chain necklace
“A woman’s choice in jewelry makes a bold statement about her personal style, which is one of the reasons it’s so important to find labels and pieces that resonate with you. David Yurman is one of my all-time favorites, because every piece is unique and sophisticated. Shay is also a brilliant brand we recently launched on NET-A-PORTER, and it’s already a big hit; its designs strike the perfect balance between classic and contemporary every time. Personally, I’ll be investing in some chain necklaces this season to layer up and elevate my daily uniform of blue jeans and a crisp white shirt.”
A statement bag
“The best thing about a statement bag is that it can transform your outfit in an instant – no matter what look you’re pairing it with, the right bag will give it a directional edge. To my mind, they’re almost like objets d’art, and one of the pieces with which a designer can truly express their creativity and individuality. Like fine jewelry, they’re a sartorial investment to be loved and worn for years to come. Powerhouses like Balenciaga and Givenchy have recently debuted some of the season’s most-wanted bags; styles that effortlessly embody the brand’s spirit and identity, meaning they’ll never go out of style. However, emerging designers such as Simon Porte Jacquemus have also been designing utterly covetable handbags. The truth is, finding amazing statement bags is easy – it’s whittling your choice down to just one that’s tricky.”