If you’ve stopped thinking of your clothing choices as ‘outfits’ and started blurring the line between sleepwear and daywear (and we’re not talking about layering silk camis), then you’re probably experiencing the WFH effect. And while it’s easy to laugh it off as unimportant, given the current state of the world, for fashion buyer Laura Vidrequin, the coronavirus pandemic has inspired a philosophical moment.
“I am a buyer for an English department store”, she explains. “My role is to ensure we buy items from international brands, based on numbers and trends to be resold through stores or online. But I like to point out that I have never been prone to promote over-consuming and over-buying – the job of a buyer is not to push consumerism. What I stand for, is the creative behind each collection and garment.”
There’s plenty of walk to accompany that talk. Laura is the founder of Kids O’clock , “a project I cherish deeply”. The London-based company is a service for the resale of quality childrens clothes, creating a circular economy for a high volume genre.
Laura now lives in London, although she was raised in Paris and lived in New York for 8 years (jealous, us?) A true gypsy at heart, she tells us “the city I live in really doesn’t reflect at all on who I am”.
With a one year old son, Albert, at home, Laura’s life changed rapidly, as it did for all of us, when the virus began to spread. She took us on a sneak peek tour of a week in her isolation-wardrobe.
This sweatshirt feels like home to me. I have worn it so may times it would actually probably be my husband’s ‘throw-it-away’ piece from my closet. I have been loving Polo Vintage since I can’t remember – the teddy bear, the sporty silhouette, the American pride. Is it from living in NY for that long? Anything vintage, sporty and patriotric, yep!
How has your life changed since being on lockdown?
My daily routine is so different than it used to be. I am still trying to get my head around it. Both my husband and I are working from home where we used to have office jobs, which is something we had to get used to. Very strange to have him in a room next to mine all day! I am dividing my days between calls with teams, cooking for the boys, and household duties. It is quite full on, but nothing different than in any other working-with-kids- house, I would imagine. I am thankful for this to be our routine.
I have prepared meal plans, even though we are only three, but I am such a terrible cook so I need organization. That’s the only thing I plan in the house since quarantine. Aside from the kitchen plan, the house is our spontaneous open theater. No plan. At all!
I am more conscious about using and promoting local shops and brands, although I was already quite an aficionado before Covid-19. Since quarantine, I have subscribed to fruits and veggies from the farmers-to-your-door type of box, which I will continue post-quarantine.
I am exercising and checking in on my friends and family more than I used to, as I make a point doing it for mental sanity. They are my happiness therapy.
Some things have not changed though. I love being at home, and I am not much healthier despite the amount of recipes I cook.
Wearing this Laveste shirt makes me so happy! Flowers, prints, colours, and a large collar – the perfect reunion of all the elements I love. I choose it today, because it’s my day off from exercising, and I will spend it cooking, or reading – provided that Albert lets me do it.
Just paired with straight leg jeans.
I have a super long torso, so most tops and blouses appears short on me, which I really hate. Therefore, I always shop oversized, or a size bigger. I also cannot stand anything too tight on top, anyway.
What does your average day look like at the moment?
It looks like a tornado, but once Albert is asleep and I am finally in my pajamas, around 7.30, it looks like a blessing.
We are home, we are healthy, and we are together. I try and remind myself every day, that we are so lucky – and therefore, keeping it light and fun is important.
I also realize how mums of two or three are literally warriors!
When Albert wakes up, I usually have already done some stretching and some work emails. We have breakfast together, and we play – I always try to put some music on, to cheer the whole house up. Most of the time, playing ends up in tiding and dancing.
Once lunch is done, Albert naps and this is when I do the most of my daily calls, emails, catchups with teams etc. I am then extremely efficient, as I know time is limited.
The afternoon goes by so quickly, between team calls, cooking dinner and a stroll. Every night, I try and do at least 1 thing for me. It could be a glass of wine, a face mask, a facetime with a friend, or just being in bed at 8pm with a soup!
I think this long dress is one of my favorite pieces. I bought it at Ibizenco in a vintage shop five years ago. The length, the cut, and the mix of fabrics, I love it all.
I love a good print or fabric mix and match – I am obsessed with multi purpose outfitting, and a barefoot silhouette.
I find outfits always better barefoot, except for long dresses which I love to wear with sandals – here, I am barefoot most of the time, or I wear these Moroccan slippers we had made for Kids O’clock.
How would you describe your style?
My style is really my mood. It could be all over prints, or black, different textures, or I might wear a white t-shirt and jeans for a week straight.
My overall closet is made up of vintage, good washed jeans, cute blouses, white cotton t-shirts, and family heirlooms. I own way too many printed dresses too.
I don’t tend to hold onto anything. A workout legging and a blouse is my current favourite combination.
I love wearing leggings with shirts and blouses. Here are my two favorites – Arket for its mocha colour and softness, and Outdoor Voices for the shape and colour combination.
If I exercise on a given day, I would be wearing these to be ready as quick as possible.
I just ADORE this Heimstone sweater as it reminds me of New York and being so free…leggings are Prism.
What are you missing the most at the moment?
Restaurants brouhaha and packed pubs, not wanting to go out by choice, my parents, extremely loud music, bumping into someone in the street, and hugs.
This short sleeve blouse is an easy throw on and go, from Thierry Colson. It is so comfortable, and looks immediately put together thanks to puff sleeves – which I secretly love – especially when in quarantine, as no need for a coat nor a cardigan to wear over! Silver lining.
For all these outfits, I wear Gag & Lou jewellery, which is our family business, and all pieces are still created by my mum. She makes all sorts of bracelets, necklaces and earrings with flowers, feathers and little charms. All designs are made in the Parisian Atelier. I wear my wedding bands, bracelets from Daphine and Gag & Lou, and all my earrings are also from the latest collection.
I bought these two bracelets from Daphine over the winter, and had Albert and Harold engraved. I never take them off.
For the piercings, I have pierced a lot throughout out the years – and am rarely taking them out. My favorites are the turquoise and rose flowers, or the tiny pink elephant earring. Day dreaming.
What are your isolation saviours?
- The class with TT, which I do almost everyday
- Going out with Albert on long walks
- Salty and sweet popcorn
- A glass of red wine at 6pm
- A good TV show in bed
- My books – I’m currently reading the Whole Brain Child.
- Face masks
- Having Albert participating in most of the households duties, or cooking. Such a blast.
- I think everyday about the fact that I can be SO available for Albie. Even if it’s hard, it’s such a special moment to be here with him at his age.