3 Minute Thread: Issey Brunner
"Always carry a book with you in case you find yourself waiting. And cut your own hair, it will save you so much money."
I’ve known ‘of’ Issey Brunner for a while - a brilliant photo director and sister to an ex-colleague of mine. But it wasn’t until Bryony Stone suggested her for this series that I realised she had excellent style too. And the swaggiest grandpa around!
Who are you?
Isabella Brunner, Londoner, photo director and researcher, dog lover.
What are you wearing?
So I went out two nights in a row which is a very rare occurrence - first look I’m wearing my boyfriend’s old Thrasher t shirt, vintage Levi’s and Timberlands. Chopova Lowena earrings that I mixed up cos why not? A Marques’Almeida fluffy coat with a Fendi B bag from 2008, and Bottega Veneta glasses.
Second pic I’m wearing my Nelson Mandela t-shirt from 1996, &daughter cardigan, black Acne boots, Uniqlo thermals and vintage leather jacket with a vintage Russell & Bromley pony hair bag.
Why did you choose these outfits?
I had surgery a couple of months ago on my uterus as I had a fibroid, so O want to be as comfortable as possible at all times at the moment. And warm because it’s freezing in London!
Where did you wear them?
The first picture I wore to see Erykah Badu at the Royal Albert Hall and second I wore to see Billy Cobham play at Union Chapel. I wanted to wear things I could move to their music in and not feel restricted, with a touch of fun.
What’s the best style lesson you’ve learned over the years?
Always add the jewellery and have a sense of humour when getting dressed.
One person you think has great style?
I’m so sorry this is going to be long! My Tata had the best style. He always looked so smart and fresh. He always had the best sunglasses.
My three girlfriends Danielle Greco, Natalie Roar and Benedict Brink also have the most fun and coolest sense of style. They are unequivocally themselves in everything they wear. Danielle and Nat are maximalists. Every time I see them I smile because whatever they are wear, the way the looks are put together sparks complete joy. Both wear second hand vintage pieces nearly exclusively, and have handbag collections to die for! Nat is barely online (which is wonderful) so if you get a glimpse of a full Natalie Roar look in the wild, you’re very lucky.
Benedict, on the other hand, is the opposite. She keeps it super simple… wears thin, gorgeous, old baggy t-shirts, Oxford shirts, tracksuits or jeans. But will have a beautiful beaded glass necklace that she’s sourced from a random shop abroad in the middle of nowhere, that I’m always going to covet.
Best life hack?
Christ best life hack hmmm… always carry a book with you in case you find yourself waiting. And cut your own hair, it will save you so much money.
Your favourite person to follow?
@SouthAsiaArchive, @reiiikou. @Suea and @emiliapetrarca I love for style bits.
One recommendation to read, watch, listen, see or do?
Read: anything by Arundhati Roy. Watch: celebrity Traitors, and Black Orpheus. Listen: to ‘The Roof’ by Mariah Carey, but the Mobb Deep remix ;) See: Kerry James Marshall at the RA and Danielle McKinney at Max Heltzler, and Bob Thompson at Maximilian William Gallery.
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