The Loves of My Life: Lucy Aylen

      The most impactful interviews are often those that delve into personal experiences. In "Loves of My Life," we discover the individuals behind their work, exploring the details we long to uncover—favorite restaurants and date-night locations, what's saved in their Instagram folder, their most cherished piece of jewelry, and what’s at the bottom of their handbag. In essence, these represent the true loves of their lives.

      Next, we speak with Lucy Aylen, the founder and CEO of the womenswear brand Never Fully Dressed. Born in 1984 to market traders in East London, Lucy's fashion journey began in 2009 when her grandfather gifted her a sewing machine. She started customizing clothes in her parents' attic and selling them at markets like Portobello and Spitalfields, where the brand's iconic designs took shape. Over the years, Never Fully Dressed expanded rapidly, achieving significant milestones such as launches at Topshop, endorsements from celebrities like Beyoncé, Kendall Jenner, and Emma Roberts, and pop-ups around the globe. The brand now features flagship stores in East London and New York, collaborates with influencers and charities, and has won several awards, including Draper's 'Womenswear Brand of the Year' in 2024. Emphasizing size inclusivity, it offers multi-wear styles in sizes UK 6-28.

      Thank you, Lucy! Follow her journey here.

      What’s your top restaurant in the world? What would you order?

      Campania on Columbia Road for the fish stew, red wine, and tiramisu.

      Is there something in your home that you particularly cherish?

      A vase my daughter and I created together from shells we've gathered on family trips.

      What would we always find at the bottom of your handbag?

      Never Fully Dressed scent (the sample size), children's pencils, and LEGO pieces.

      Who fills your cup?

      My children and my close group of girlfriends.

      If you could vacation in one location for the rest of your life, where would it be?

      Greece. I adore Lindos.

      Do you have a meaningful piece of jewelry?

      I have a gold and tortoiseshell statement necklace that belonged to my mother, nearly 45 years old. I also cherish her clip-on earrings, although I don’t wear them as much as the necklace, which brings back memories of my childhood.

      What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

      Spending time with my husband and kids, doing games and crafts at home. We also enjoy eating oysters at Columbia Road and taking them to the park. I also love walking our dog.

      Do you have a favorite secret date-night spot?

      My ideal date night would be dinner at Campania followed by drinks at The Palm Tree, the pub where we first met and got married. It has a relaxed atmosphere with live music, and I love ending the night with a dance, which is hard to find in London.

      Which piece of clothing would you never part with? And why?

      I have a cream cheesecloth dress from a vintage market in New York, where I also sold NFD when we were starting out. It has mirrors on it and could easily be worn for a wedding. I wore it for one of my children’s christenings, so it holds a lot of memories for me.

      What’s your most-streamed music on Spotify? An artist, playlist, or album?

      Either the Despicable Me soundtrack (thanks to my kids!) or tracks from San Germán and Lauren Hill. Right now, I’m really into Olivia Dean, so her music will definitely feature in my 2025 wrap-up!

      If we looked in your Instagram saved folder, what would we find?

      I usually save mural art, color palettes, and travel inspiration, which I need to organize better to access them easily.

      What city inspires you the most?

      Lisbon, Portugal.

      What’s your favorite item to carry when you travel?

      A sarong for its versatility, as it can be used as a dress, skirt, beach towel, or bag.

      What’s the most valued item in your wardrobe?

      I have a pair of Loewe platform heels with beading detail that I bought in Barcelona while pregnant with my second child. I couldn't afford them at the time, but they feel like having maracas on my feet. My husband kept commenting on how happy they make me, so I had to buy them.

      What beauty product can you not be without?

      A pot of natural oil I use for my skin, hair, and body.

      What is your comfort food?

      Toast with a cup of tea, especially after returning from a holiday.

      What are your top three favorite movies of all time?

      Romeo and Juliet, Sister Act 2, Naked.

      My mother always says that nothing is a problem, which helps me stay grounded and approach problem-solving practically.

      What’s your favorite fragrance?