What really goes on behind the scenes? Industry experts share their knowledge

After building up her style expertise at Net-a-Porter and Browns, Francesca Salih decided to share her wisdom, helping other women get a grip on their own outfits. With her business, Wardrobe Mistress, she can edit your wardrobe down to the pieces that suit and work for you, making it easy to come up with amazing outfits every day. We met her recently to find out if a little of her sartorial cleverness could rub off on us too...

What items would always be in your capsule wardrobe?
My leather J Brand leggings, an Equipment white shirt, and a blazer.  

What do you look for in an investment piece?
I always tend to look for something classic that I’ll be able to pull out season after season rather than something from a trend.  If I'm buying into a trend, I'll just go for something that I can grab on the high street.

What’s the best thing about wardrobe detoxing?
You really get to evaluate and see that the pieces you’re wearing, what you’re not wearing and so see where you are lacking and that you need to be adding.  I recently did a detox with a client, and she had denim coming out of her earholes, but she was only really wearing two pairs, so we really whittled it down. Investing in a detox, you’re actually saving money in the long run, because I go in and point out all of your bad shopping habits. I work also work with an amazing tailor, so if there’s a coat that doesn’t exactly fit you, you can reconstruct it so you'll actually wear it.

What item have you had in your wardrobe the longest?
A Jean Paul Gaultier blazer, it was given to me by my Mum. It’s black, and it flicks out, it’s such a beautiful piece. My Mum got it when she was in her late twenties and it’s such a classic that I can wear it now.  Even if you’ve got a pair of converse and a t-shirt on, you can put something very structured over the top and make the outfit look completely different.

What would you say is key to strong personal style?
Knowing what you like and trusting it. Some people find it very hard to establish a style, that’s why it’s very helpful to take on advice first hand and then go away, have a look of the people that you aspire to be like, and the styles that you love, and then when you hit the shops, you'll feel confident in what you’re buying. 

What is the best thing for you about working in fashion?
I just love the diversity, I love working with different women.  I started out working at Browns and then I was at Net-a-Porter and then I was on a magazine in Dubai, and I just love working with so many people helping women that find style hard. It’s very rewarding.