LFW: Interview with Tiffany Hsu, Feathers Buyer

Tiffany Hsu works for luxury fashion retailer, Feathers, and is one of London’s premier buyers. It was pretty difficult to interview her. We were constantly being interrupted by style photographers, eager to take her picture. This is partly because she’s a bit of a face at Fashion Week, but mostly because she’s really hot and wears Givenchy. Having often run into her at gigs around east London we knew that Tiffany was an affable character and decided to see what she was up to this season.

PlanetNotion: What are you looking for this season? Do you know yet?

Tiffany Hsu: I’m just looking for inspiration, but it’s quite early on at Fashion Week to be making decisions. Something interesting and new.

PN: What are you looking forward to this week?

TH: I always look forward to seeing what Fashion East has to offer. Great new designers.

PN: I know the buck stops with you when it comes to who and what is stocked in Feathers. Would you say you have a signature style for the boutique?

TH: Not hugely. We like to cater to as many people as possible that like to wear different types of directional garments, but obviously I have to make sure that it’s not so out of this world that people are afraid to wear them.

PN: How did you get into buying?

TH: I was working at the store when I was training as a designer at Saint Martins. When I graduated they asked me back as a buyer and I said yes. I think training in design gave me an eye for detail, high quality manufacture and good fabrics. I know how clothes are made so I know how to spot this. It’s very important to Feathers that we’re giving our customer something that has is of a very high standard.

PN: What would you say to the PlanetNotion readers that are looking to make a career in fashion?

TH: You have to be devoted and know that it’s not glamorous. It’s a life style choice really and lot of hard work. You have to make up your mind what it is what you want to do and really go for it.

- Interview by Aaron Francis Walker