Exclusive interview with Eve Thomas from The Outnet

Whenever we’re contemplating on shopping online for luxury goods, our mind almost instantaneously opens up a tab with THE OUTNET.COM sprawled across in big, bold, black font. Essentially, we’re not one to let a discount slide and what particularly gets us in high spirits is when we’ve bagged an impressive steal – mostly shoes though. The other more tempting factor of the giant British e-tailer is that unlike its sister brand, NET-A-PORTER, sale prices are not timed and go on indefinitely till stock runs out. Which means there’s no need to race against time to score a good deal.

However, it’s also important to note that shoppers on THE OUTNET.COM are more than able to pay full price for the luxury item but the sheer thrill of getting something at a better value spurs them on to continue scrolling on the site. Nonetheless, popular pieces do tend to be snapped up pretty quick! Essentially, there’s a bit of a give and take here.

So while Eve Thomas, fashion director of THE OUTNET.COM was in town to present a Singapore Edit on the site, we took the chance to pick her mind on shopping online, style tips to dressing in our tropical weather and about the site’s in house label, Iris & Ink.

Marie France Asia: What are your tips to wearing some of Spring’s biggest trends?

Eve Thomas: It’s important to follow trends in order to keep your look modern but the key is to balance your wardrobe. Invest first and foremost in classic, quality wardrobe pieces that will work hard for you. Timeless staples such as a crisp cotton shirt or a white blazer are versatile enough to be worn in a multitude of different ways and will form the backbone of your wardrobe. If you get these right, they will provide the framework for your own personal sense of style and can anchor more playful, trend-led items. The quickest way to update your look for spring is to nod to the seventies trend. A platform sandal, peasant blouse or fringed bag will all instantly update your look.

MFA: How does THE OUTNET.COM decide on designer collaborations?

E.T.: When THE OUTNET.COM launched in 2009, 85% of our stock came from our sister site NET-A-PORTER.COM. Now, over 90% of stock is bought directly from the brands such as Stella McCartney, Isabel Marant and Valentino. We have a large buying team split between our offices in London and New York and their strong relationships with our brands is what sets us part from the rest of the industry. Brands we have collaborated with in the past include Oscar de la Renta and Temperley London as well as the 17 designers, including Alexander McQueen, Balmain, Chloé and Roland Mouret, featured in THE OUTNET’s 5th birthday collection. Most recently, we partnered with Victoria Beckham for a charity sale and Temperley London on an edit fronted by Liberty Ross. We also created an exclusive jewelry collection for the holiday season featuring seven designers ranging from Dannijo and Keneth Jay Lane to Monica Vinader. We have another exciting collaboration planned for the summer but I can’t tell you anything more at this point. Watch this space!

MFA: How would you define the aesthetics of Iris & Ink?

E.T.: In 2012 we launched Iris & Ink, our own label of trend-led wardrobe essentials that pair perfectly with the exceptional designer pieces found on the site. Iris & Ink become known for luxurious cashmere knits, butter-soft leather pieces and delicate silks. The current collection experiments with proportion, whilst staying true to its aesthetic, with both soft feminine shapes and more directional, tailored pieces.

MFA: How does Iris & Ink fit in with THE OUTNET’s core business strategy – discounted luxury?

E.T.: At THE OUTNET.COM we stock over 250 designer brands such as Stella McCartney, Chloé and Valentino at discounts of up to 75% off. My team and I edit the product for trend and fashion stories, translating the looks from runway to real life. There were certain items that we kept going back to time and time again when we were putting these looks together and we realised that if we were looking for these pieces then our customer would be too. As a result, Iris & Ink was born, as a collection of luxury basics to answer all of those styling dilemmas. Every piece is designed to fit seamlessly into your wardrobe and can be dressed up or down alongside your amazing designer finds.

MFA: What is a typical office outfit for you?

E.T.: I tend to wear a lot of denim, dressed up with more luxurious pieces. For example, I might wear black skinny jeans with over-the-knee suede boots and a peasant blouse, a pair of dark flares with an embellished jacket or black dungarees with a silk blouse and pointed flats. My go-to brands are Frame, Isabel Marant, Chloé and Simone Rocha. When it comes to evening events I usually opt for a shift dress by Marni or Stella McCartney with a sharp heel.

MFA: Since THE OUTNET.COM gives us designer clothes at a great discount, what are your tips to shopping online?

E.T.: We have new deliveries every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, so those are the best times to check out the site for uploads. Sign up to our emails to ensure that you are always the first to know about new brands. The first thing to do when shopping is to filter by size. This ensures that you will only see pieces available in your size and will avoid any disappointment. Finally, don’t linger too long over a purchase. Our stock can be limited and the best pieces often go very quickly!

MFA: What are your tricks to styling in Singapore’s hot & humid weather?

E.T.: The key is to adapt trends to suit Singapore’s hot and humid weather. Nod to the trends through silhouette and color, adapting them in lighter fabrics. The biggest trend this season is the resurgence of the seventies. A denim flare may be too heavy for the weather in Singapore but a little white dress, pair of culottes, a peasant blouse and a jumpsuit all work well. Accessories are also a good way to work a trend into your look – a platform shoe, gladiator sandal or fringed bag will instantly bring your look up to date. A pop of sunshine yellow or grass green will also update your look in an instant.

Tarandip Kaur