Dear City Girl London Guide - Spring Edition
We asked a fashion stylist the in’s and out’s of all things London
Before Molly Ashman became a freelance stylist, she had worked in-house PR at Erdem. When working at one of the big fashion houses, there is opportunity to work with bigger names. And for Molly that included British Vogue’s former editor-in-chief Edward Enninful. Throughout her PR and fashion career, she was able to build up an impressive resume and portfolio, along with a degree in Fashion Buying and Brand Management. Now in her current life as a freelance commercial stylist, Molly has worked with even bigger names, Ed Sheeran for one and styling iconic brands such as Tottenham FC, Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC. Through these connections, her specialty in sportswear drew attention from Nike and Adidas.
Molly caught our attention on TikTok, where she shows off her personal style in the way that we admire how all London city girls do, sharing her Vinted and Matches sale hauls (RIP). But, she’s also there to guide the next generation of fashion stylists, answering questions on the true business of freelance styling. We were lucky enough to interview Molly and learn more about her, the city that she loves and where to eat, walk, drink and shop in London.
DNAMAG: How did you make the transition from fashion PR to styling?
MOLLY: I was doing my uni degree when I did my internship at a PR office which is where I started to think about the styling world (as I was essentially emailing stylists all day about pull requests). The transition was purely that I finished my internship and started looking at stylists online, reaching out to them via Instagram and email and it all spiraled from there- but I was lucky and this was during the post Covid work boom.
Knowing that in your line of work no day is typical or the same. But how do you prefer to start each day?
Like you said, everyday is different...but for the most part I wake up, make a tea and sit at my laptop straight from the comfort of my room at home (my bed and desk are about 1m apart). Once i've caught up with anything imminent or urgent I drag myself to get some exercise over and done with, I either run or go to a yoga class. I found after a couple years in the job that sitting at my desk 80% of the time was really affecting my mind and body (cliche i know) and found exercise has weirdly helped me manage the job a lot better!
What’s a favorite vintage piece that you own?
I have 2 vintage Coach bags that don't leave my side, one everyday black bag and the most adorable pink tabby.
Advice to the young ones who want to break into fashion or commercial styling? Any industry myths that they shouldn’t believe?
Make yourself marketable. Think about it, you're like your own little self sufficient company asking people to pay you money without knowing who you are for a job that is quite over-saturated. Make sure your Instagram, website, everything is showing off your work and abilities. Save the drunk nights out for a private page. One myth I would love to debunk is there's very little money in fashion styling unfortunately, people are insanely overworked and underpaid and quite honestly it's why I don't do it as much. I’m just not made for it. For me, this is a job and I need to make a living off it which is why I do commercial work- anything creative I do is normally because I have full creative control. Doing creative work where you're following someone else's vision can be draining especially when there's not a lot of money involved.
If you could style 3 celebrities -
Little Simz, Chappell Roan, Lola Young. Little Simz is someone I’ve loved for years so is a bit of a dream job of mine. Chappell Roan just looks crazy fun and like she tries anything new. Lola Young I think is really casually cool, just street style in her own way which I love- she doesn't just have one style either.
MOLLY’S CITY GIRL LONDON GUIDE
Where a first time London tourist should go for a proper chippy: I live in South East London so I'm gonna say Trafalgar Tavern does the best fish and chips with the best outdoor dining and view (basically a nice pub).
When the weather is super nice in London, where do people go?
Personally I go to Greenwich Park, I live super close and from the hills you can see all over London. I’d argue its way better than Primrose Hill.
Best places to thrift shop for the pro-thrift shopper visiting London: So I have a couple answers for this, weirdly the best place for actually thrift shop shopping is Lewisham. There’s like 6 or 7 charity shops and the Traid there has crazy good things. My favourite single vintage shop is at the end of Broadway Market off Lansdowne Dr, but I can't remember the name! It has great classic vintage items that are stunning quality. But to be totally honest- I still haven't found a better spot than the Brick Lane vintage markets. I’ve tried but nothing beats the selection!
What is a neighborhood you love and why? Favourite neighbourhood is always Greenwich, I’ve been based here since I moved from Brighton 5 years ago and I can't imagine myself anywhere else. It's the perfect place where you want to be in London, but still feel away from London when you need it. Plus my landlord hasn't raised my rent in 3 years so I'm staying put!!! It's wholesome and fun all at once, great pubs, a yoga studio around the corner from me, on the river, a great comedy club, the BEST food market, gorgeous park....I could really go on a while aha!
— SKIP vs SPLURGE —
For afternoon tea: Skip - Sketch / Splurge - Love Walk Cafe
Best burgers: I don’t really eat burgers, but I love Asian food. Skip - Kricket / Splurge - Bao Shoreditch
Art: Skip - Tate Modern / Splurge - Hayward Gallery
People watching: Skip - Primrose Hill!!!! / Splurge - Richmond
Coffee: (Coffee is TOUGH) Skip - Jolene / Splurge - 15grams Greenwich
Lastly, what are your favorite things about living in London?
Favourite things I would say the variety in London, there's so many options I feel like it's quite hard to get bored. There's also price options without having to sacrifice, if anything sometimes the cheaper the better. Also the shopping is just unmatched. I went to Saudi Arabia for work and the malls are meant to be amazing there. They're huge and yet London still just does shopping so much better. Same goes for Berlin, Paris, New York, but I'm probably just biased and like my comfort place.
There you have it, the next time you're visiting London, be sure to save Molly’s city guide and follow her on TikTok.
NOW HIRING
WeTransfer is hiring a Social Content Specialist (NYC or London)
Tropic Skincare is hiring a Graphic Designer - FTC (Croydon, UK / Hybrid)
Beyond Yoga is hiring a Creative Director (Culver City, California)
Are you hiring?
5 GOOD THINGS
Friendships come in colors, what color are you?
Recently bought: something about this poster that I know will boost my mood every morning when I make my coffee.
Recently bought: for my mom
Recently bought: for me, this reminds me of something I made in arts & crafts in 3rd grade
Baby Reindeer on Netflix. Binged it in one night. Holy F. (*This drama series might be triggering as it depicts traumatic sexual assault and stalking.)
I do hope that wherever you are, the heavy parkas have been put away and that you are indulging in fits of spring allergies and cherry blossoms.
444,
DNAMAG