In My Shoes: Hannah Almassi
Hannah Almassi is an editorial director, content strategist, writer, speaker and brand consultant based in London. Following several years working in the fashion industry, including as Fashion News and Features Editor at Grazia, Hannah was appointed Editor in Chief at Who What Wear UK, launching the platforming 2015 to a UK audience. Follow @hannahalmassi
Tell us a little about you.
Creative with an analytical mind. Habitually overdressed. Big hugger. Wannabe bohemian.
How do you start your day?
With a bang, probably around 5 am thanks to my son Teddy! He goes at 100 miles per hour, so he’s ready to eat multiple breakfasts and be silly right from the word go—having him has prompted my fun and energetic side to really come to the fore. I try to squeeze in a little bit of exercise a couple of times a week (literally from a mat on my kitchen floor while the chaos ensues around me), get myself together for work (I always make an effort even when WFH and have loved putting outfits together for the office again) and then crack on with looking at the day’s fashion news and our previous day’s performance.
What is your fashion philosophy?
Enjoy it! I try to take as much pleasure as I can from my wardrobe, getting dressed and consuming fashion media. When your passion becomes your day job it can be all too easy to lose sight of what you love and what you brought you to this specific world in the first place.
Can you share a styling trick with us?
Look after your things. It’s so important that we treat the pieces we buy well. I have items in my closet from when I first started working in fashion 15 years ago that still look good today because I care for them. Get shoes re-soled. Have your items mended. Alter anything that doesn’t fit properly so you actually wear it. Invest in moth repellents! Don’t throw clothes on the floor, PLEASE!
What inspires you?
I love the ‘70s. Always have. Always will. So, I come back to the same images, icons and styles time and again. Even if the era isn’t considered to be in fashion, I still feel happiest and most comfortable when I wear items that echo this retro decade. I love ‘70s films and music, especially disco, and the decade is reflected in my interior design choices, so it’s a 360 fascination.
How do you unwind?
With a toddler and a full-time job, I don’t get a huge deal of time to unwind but ideally it’s doing something meditative like yoga or vedic meditation.
If you could visit anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would it be?
I’m desperate to return to where I got married in 2017—Vejer de la Frontera in the Costa de la Luz region of Spain. I haven’t been since I was pregnant back in 2019, so a trip is long overdue and I daydream about warm summer evenings with a manzanilla in one hand and a slice of jamòn in the other!
Can you tell us something you discovered recently?
I moved to Eastbourne from London a year ago and everyone has been asking me about it—so, Eastbourne! It’s a beautiful and friendly place to live and there’s a growing scene for creatives and entrepreneurs. I’d highly recommend a visit.
What is the best part of your job?
Nurturing talent. I love spotting the potential in someone—even if they aren’t the obvious hire—and helping them grow to their maximum potential in a really supportive and innovative environment.
Which shoes do you love this season?
Anything with a kitten heel has my name all over it.