MY STYLE LESSONS

How to be chic, according to fashion designer Anna Mason

Anna Mason specialises in creating romantic dresses for the modern woman. She founded her label, Anna Mason London, in 2012 and now sells her designs on Net-a-porter as well as offering a made-to-measure service. Core to her brand, this tailormade approach was learned in the ateliers of Paris.

At 23, while studying at the London College of Art, Anna landed the chance to spend a year training with designer Karl Lagerfeld in Paris. ‘Karl was amazing to be around,’ she recalls. ‘Seeing the craftsmanship behind those couture fashion houses was quite incredible.’

Anna’s appreciation of the finer things is why she was chosen as an ambassador by new car brand DS Automobiles, which also takes inspiration from the world of French couture. ‘I admire DS’S attention to detail,’ she says. ‘It uses quirky design elements, like quilted dashboards and buttons that look like pieces of jewellery, and I love that. I believe everything in your life should be either beautiful or purposeful.’ Here Anna shares her other style lessons...

‘MY FASHION ICONS ARE BEAUTIFUL, GLAMOROUS WOMEN OF THE PAST’

DEVELOP A SIGNATURE LOOK

‘I love a great dress with pockets! It can take you anywhere. Put it on at the start of the day with a pair of flats, then swap them for statement heels when you’re going out. I make romantic dresses, but

I use modern fabrics that are washable, because I want people to love my dresses and wear them season after season.’

FIND YOUR FASHION MUSE

‘My style icons are beautiful, glamorous women of the past: Grace Kelly in the ’50s, Brigitte Bardot in the ’60s and Catherine Deneuve in the ’70s. When I’m putting a look together, I’ll think, “How would Catherine wear it?”’

DON’T BE AFRAID TO STAND OUT

‘Why be a shrinking violet when you could be a gilded lily? Life’s too short and we don’t get enough opportunities to really dress up nowadays, so seize the chance. I think that attitude comes from watching my mum get ready to go out in the ’70s, when women would wear long dresses out to dinner. She was so glamorous and she really showed me the transformative power of an amazing outfit.’

To learn more about new car brand DS Automobiles and the DS ambassadors, visit dsautomobiles.co.uk/red