As buying director for Net-A-Porter, one of the fashion industry's most important luxury retailers, Holli Rogers knows all about style. The website that allows fashionistas with no time for real window-shopping to buy items online means Rogers is responsible for the careful edit that is sent to the inboxes of more than a million women around the world every week. "Every wardrobe should have the essential staple pieces - the blazer, the pencil skirt, the little black dress, black trousers, the leather jacket, white shirt, great ankle boots and a sexy sandal," she says. With more than 300 international designers to choose from, Rogers admits her own wardrobe is "simple but with some striking pieces" but reflects the wide designer choice. "My mother's innate sense of style was an inspiration for me and I knew I wanted to pursue a career in fashion from an early age," she says. "But I'm in fashion because I love the newness of it and I never try to repeat." Born and raised in Texas, Rogers studied fashion and began her career in a department store before moving to New York to work at Chanel. After a year, her next step was London, and she joined Net-A-Porter in 2003. She talks to Jemma Nicholls about her enviable job and her favourite fashion picks.
HOLLI'S WORLD
THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I'VE EVER BEEN GIVEN IS... to stay curious. MY PERSONAL STYLE SIGNIFIER IS... I take a casual approach but always with a great pair of shoes. BEING STYLISH MEANS... having fun and expressing yourself. MY FAVOURITE ERA OF FASHION IS... now, as I love to look forward. TO RELAX... I love to listen to music and during fashion week season my iPod is my most important accessory. THE AMBITION I STILL HAVE IS... to be able to speak in front of a crowd and not feel nervous. MY GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR IS... buying my own flat in central London and all of the travelling I have done - there are so many beautiful places in the world that I feel extremely lucky to have visited. THE TOP SHOPPING AND FASHION ADVICE THAT I PASS ON TO OTHERS IS... take care to choose the styles that best suit your shape. Then add key pieces from your favourite trends and pops of colour to build your look from season to season.