Animal prints never die

Name Niki Whittle

Age 29

Occupation Personal Style Consultant

Height 5.4" ish

Where do you like to shop? 

I have my favourites- Zara, H&M, All Saints & ASOS.  I like French Sole for pumps, Kurt Geiger for heels and Jesire for dresses.  Zara is great as they frequently add new lines.  I find that if you mix different brands, including the ones you'd never usually consider, you can often get a great combination. I love rummaging around vintage fairs and charity shops - it's places like these where you find little gems to add to your wardrobe. Accessories are the most important part of my wardrobe as they enable me to change the look of an outfit effortlessly. 

Do you have a favourite  designer?  

I like quite a mix; I love McQueen and Vivienne Westwood for their edginess. I love Marni's accessories and Chanel (what girl doesn't?!)

What is your inspiration when you dress?  

I like to think of my wardrobe as my dressing up box; I'll dress differently most days depending on how I feel - whether rock chic or chicky rock- generally music inspires me, and my two style icons; Courtney Love and Gwen Stefani.

If I had a dog I'd call it...I do! He's called Hendrix (after Jimi, not the gin :)

Niki's dress is from Urban Outfitters. She has customised her belt as she couldn't find the exact studded waist belt that she wanted.  Her bag is from Jaeger, sandals from Office, scarf from TK Maxx, leggins from Mango, and bangles from India and various vintage shops. This girl knows what she is doing -  animal skin print never dies! Gosh it's so morish - and adds a bit of zest to a black outfit. I'm a big fan of big, heavy bangles. The models at Aquilano e Rimondi's Ready-To-Wear Spring/Summer 2009  show were weighed down with bangle-upon-bangle on their dainty wrists- and the studded leather cuffs often seen in Camden market or on the wrists of thrash metal fans have been cropping up in high street shops. Pile 'em up I say.

Niki is a successful (and very busy!) Bristol-based personal style consultant, and can be contacted via her blog 'Hip Shapes and Bristol Fashion' http://www.nikiwhittle.com/page20.htm

Shot on my iphone.

Low fashion, high fashion, you call the shots. What do you think of what Niki is wearing?