12
WORK
LIF E
9 3
A�ONE-DAY�DIARY��
FROM�MORNING�LATTE
TO�LIGHTS�OUT
Stephanie Phair,
director of
theOutnet.com
Stephanie, e, 30, launched the new
designer discount fashion site six
months ago, go, and lives in central
London with ith her boyfriend Fred, 31
I get woken up at 7am every day by Fred,
whose morning routine is impossible to
sleep through. I try and make the most of
being up early by going for a run around
Hyde Park. I’m getting more disciplined,
but the most I ever manage is 20 minutes.
I used to live in New York and I’m trying
to reignite that gym-rat mentality.
From 8am, it’s all about multi-tasking.
While I’m getting ready, I check the daily
sales report, which I open with a sense of
trepidation and excitement. We’re still a
baby company – just five months old –
and the little sister of Net-a-porter, so
obviously I feel we have a lot to live up to.
Thankfully the numbers have gone up
every single day so far.
Working in fashion, I think it’s
important that you represent your brand, so
I do make a real effort with my appearance.
A pencil skirt is a staple for me as it’s totally
versatile. I’ll accessorise it according to the
����WWW�STYLIST�CO�UK
6
WISH YOU WERE HERE?
STEPHANIE WANTS TO BE JUDITH
CHALMERS – WITHOUT THE KHAKI
current trend. I’m a huge fan of Bodycon –
Roland Mouret’s dresses are very flattering
– and I think Phillip Lim is great for easy
luxury. And no, I don’t actually get a lot of
free clothes! But it’s lovely having the access.
I cycle to work every day through the
park on a second-hand bike I picked up for
£50 from Portobello Market – not easy in
a pencil skirt. I grab breakfast on the way,
usually I aim for a skinny latte and some
fruit, but I might well go for a pretzel.
TheOutnet offices are in Whiteleys,
a beautiful old department store in
Notting Hill, and we share the top floor with
net-a-porter. The entire office is open-plan
and it really is like a living catwalk. There’s
“I think it's important that
you represent your brand,
so I do make a real effort
with my appearance”
no fashion competitiveness, but lots of self
expression and a real mix of high and low-
end designers. Luckily, I worked for Anna
Wintour at American Vogue for three years.
She's very tough, always flawless and you
definitely have to be prepared to give her
options, as she's totally unpredictable –
but I learnt so much from her. God, the
clothes were amazing, too.
My desk has a computer and a laptop on
it, plus some fresh white flowers and Outnet
packaging. Its very tidy and uncluttered.
I start by reading Drapers and Women’s
Wear Daily . I also read our reader feedback.
It’s gratifying to know the customers love
what we’re doing.
TheOutnet is all about sourcing the best
fashion of the previous season and bringing
it to customers at a more affordable rate. We
scour the world looking for the best deals,
so I’ve really had to learn how to haggle. I
recently tested out my skills in Marrakech
STEPHANIE’S�PLAN�B��A�TRAVEL�PRESENTER
POWER IN A PENCIL SKIRT:
STEPHANIE PHAIR TRAVELS THE WORLD
SOURCING DESIGNER BARGAINS
and got a pretty good bargain on a carpet.
When I’m not in London, I spend a lot of
time in New York and Milan sourcing new
products. I speak Italian and French which
is an advantage. I always make sure I have
a pair of flats in my bag – running around
Milan in five-inch heels is tricky.
Back in the office, I rarely finish before
8pm. I’ve been totally immersed in work
since we started up the company, so I’ve
had to put my social life on hold. Thankfully,
Fred’s taken it into his hands to make
sure I do see the real world. He’ll get our
friends together, choose the bars and I’ll
just head straight there from work.
I love Lounge Lover for cocktails and
Jaks in Knightsbridge for delicious,
home-cooked food.
I’ll slather on some night cream before
bed and contemplate organising my outfit
for the next morning before failing and
falling into bed at midnight.
I absolutely adore travelling – nothing makes me happier than waking up in a different place every day – so I would have
loved to do a job which meant I spent a lot of time in really exotic settings. I’ve done a lot of travelling in the past; some
of my most favourite places are Mount Machu Picchu in Peru, Uruguay and Northern India, and I’ve just got back from
Borneo where I fed orang-utans. I guess you could say I’m pretty adventurous and I just get so much inspiration out
of experiencing new cultures and exploring new places. Being a travel presenter has always really appealed to me as
even though I love fashion, something about the idea of having all your belongings in one bag and just being able to jet
off at the drop of a hat is so exciting. I think I’d find it exhilarating.
WORDS��AMY�GRIER���PHOTOGRAPHY��DEAN�BELCHER��REX�FEATURES��HAIR�&�MAKE-UP��SOPHIA�KNIGHT�USING�DERMALOGICA
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