I came across Gillian’s Instagram profile back in 2021, around the time I opened The Venetian Pantry. Back then, Gillian was a lifestyle photographer, and I was immediately captured by her timeless sense of style, calm interiors and idyllic family life.
When she decided to pivot her career and start her own clothing line, I was there to watch it all unfold in awe. I would describe Gillian’s sense of style as timeless and effortlessly elegant, and her clothes appeal to women of all ages.
We recorded this episode back in July, as Gillian was wrapping up a month’s long trip to Europe with her family to shoot her next Fall campaign.
After following Gillian for so long online, I was a little starstruck, but the thing that impressed me the most was her ability to be completely open and vulnerable. We touch on things like self-doubt, social media trolling and cancel culture, the less glamorous sides of having your own business, as well as Gillian's continued fascination with the UK as a source of inspiration for her designs.
Inspired by her recent trip to Provence, I made her a goat cheese, figs and honey galette made with an olive oil crust, a peach, courgettes and mint salad and macerated strawberries for pudding.
After lunch, Gillian asked me to try on some of her pieces of her new Autumn collection and we had a fun little photoshoot for her blog. I was so impressed with the fit and absolutely loved wearing those pieces. The chocolate colour is absolutely stunning!
Here I’m wearing the Blair Dress, £158.00
Blair Top, Chocolate, £103.00
Meg Skirt, £127
Hope you enjoyed this conversation! I would love to know your thoughts (also, which was your favourite outfit?)
EP 3: Building a timeless fashion brand with Gillian Stevens