This story is part of the August 11 edition of Sunday Life. See all 13 stories . Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it.
Ahead, perfumer Lyn Harris. “I embrace every era. I’m very eclectic, I like to mix different styles.
” Credit: Courtesy of Perfumer H How would you describe your style? It’s quite utilitarian. I have a uniform: jeans or chinos, a T-shirt, an army or outdoor jacket and a baseball cap. I wear streetwear, I always have, and I get my femininity from jewellery.
What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? I keep all my clothes. I recently dug out a navy canvas Stüssy jacket from the ’90s which looks like current Miu Miu. And the most recent addition ? A.
P.C. ballet flats.
Lyn Harris’ go-to is “The Perfumer’s Jacket” by Arts & Science. What would you wear ..
. on a first date? I’d try to show that person who I am, so Noah chinos, a T-shirt and ballet pumps ..
. on a plane? Chinos, a T-shirt, my favourite Saint James jumper and Converse sneakers ..
. on the red carpet? I’ve got some beautiful Martin Margiela dresses and I’ve been known to put on a pair of Bottega Veneta heels. What’s your favourite fashion era? I embrace every era.
I’m very eclectic, I like to mix different styles. Who are your favourite designers? Martin Margiela is a genius. I love Miu Miu and Prada.
I really like John Galliano and what he has done at Maison Margiela and I think Studio Nicholson is nailing it. What’s your fragrance of choice? I wear Perfumer H “Petitgrain” every day; maybe not when I’m working, but then I’ll put it on before I go to bed. And I have a frankincense oil I’m always putting on, it protects me when I’m travelling.
What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? A baby-blue Agnès B “Brando” T-shirt, jeans – I like A.P.C.
and Acne Studios – and a navy-blue Saint James jumper. Loading Any go-to jewellery? A ring from Shihara – I’m obsessed with the detail of Yuta Ishihara’s pieces and the way he uses gold. I also wear pieces by Marie-Hélène de Taillac and my friend Solange Azagury-Partridge.
Can you remember a favourite outfit from when you were a child? A blue sweatshirt and dungarees, inspired by my grandfather. He was a carpenter, very creative, who always wore a checked shirt, dungarees and a jacket. I was obsessed with him and wanted to dress like him.
What was your first fashion moment? It was when I went to the Martin Margiela store in Paris in the early 2000s. I felt I had found an affinity. I think I bought 10 pieces that day, and I’m still wearing them.
Harris wears “Petitgrain”, a citrus-scented fragrance she created, every day. And your worst fashion mistake? On my first day at the fragrance house, when I was 23, I was wearing scruffy clothes and an army jacket. What’s on your wish list? I want to go vintage shopping in Asia and America – there’s a vintage store in Boston where I found an amazing Patagonia jacket.
Is there a current trend you like? I love streetwear and what brands like Aries are doing. And, weirdly, Supreme – it’s really well-made. Is there something you would never wear? A floaty dress.
Also, I would never buy The Row as it’s my style anyway – I buy the same plimsolls from Amazon for $15. What shoes do you wear most often? Converse sneakers in navy. It takes me about two years to break them in and it upsets me that they’ve changed the material.
Who are your favourite fashion icons? Charlotte Rampling, Patti Smith and Jane Birkin. I got to know Jane, and I got to work with her, which was very special. We made a Miller Harris fragrance, “L’Air de Rien”, which was a big hit.
What do you wear on a typical working day? Chinos, a T-shirt and my Arts & Science “The Perfumers” jacket. What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? A vintage T-shirt with dark blue Studio Nicholson jeans and my battered Converse. Perfumer H is available from Mecca.
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