OUTFIT

Q&A

We met the Milan-based designer Siri Willoch at Oslo Fashion Week in February. Siri is the woman behind the Norwegian label Cherry Blossom Scandinavia.

How would you describe your own style?

My style of clothing is international - mostly chic, but sometimes I like to focus on comfort as well - several layers of cashmere and jeans. I look for clothes made from high quality materials and that are well made.  Then I will likely mix them with Zara basics. I'm good at finding bargains, so I usually pay less for my Chanel than other people do for mass-produced, Asia-made garments.

How do you dress when going to the supermarket?

I mostly order my groceries on the Internet, but I also shop at the street market in Milan occasionally. My grocery shopping is more spontaneous, so I don't really plan what I'm going to wear, so I guess the answer would be the outfit of the day.

I read somewhere that Donatella Versace always wears stiletto heals and cocktail dresses when getting the groceries, but that's not entirely true - when I saw her she wore a pair of black jeans (she was still in stilettos though.  But then again, she sleeps in stilettos so it doesn't really make much of a difference.)

What would we never see you wear?

MC jacket, G-string bathing suit, denim overalls.

How does Oslo differ from Milan when it comes to street fashion?

People in Milan are usually a lot more well dressed. Exclusive materials are more common. Instead of a merino-wool-sweater, un-ironed shirts and cotton-sweaters like in Oslo, the men in Milan use cashmere-sweaters, ironed shirts and beautiful suits in classical designs. In the wintertime the women of Milan live in their black, knee-long "piumino".

The weather is often nicer in Milan, so shoes with leather soles are more practical there than in Oslo in the wintertime.
High-end handbags are used a lot in both cities, but the Italians have access to other quality brands than the brands people in Oslo are interested in. High-heels are also worn a lot more in Milan, and the women dress in a much more feminine fashion.

Do you have any good advice for those who want to update their wardrobe?

Buy some good staples, a black cashmere turtleneck from Johnston cashmere, a black high-waisted pencil-skirt of nice quality. Two pairs of pumps, one neutral and one black. From there on you can accentuate your look with cheap accessories- a vintage scarf from Hermès or Ferragamo could be used as a belt or hanging from your handbag. A belt in the season's colour, or even a metal one, looks good with everything and can breathe life into a neutral or otherwise plain outfit.

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