In My Shoes: Lisa Armstrong
Lisa Armstrong OBE is a journalist and author. As the Head of Fashion at The Telegraph since 2012, she oversees the fashion pages and writes weekly columns, features, interviews and opinion pieces. A leading voice in fashion, she graduated from Bristol University and City University London and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Arts London in 2011. Known for her honest and insightful articles, Lisa has been named Fashion Journalist of the Year three times and was awarded an OBE in 2022 for services to fashion. Follow @misslisaarmstrong
Tell us a little about you.
I’m The Telegraph’s head of fashion. I’ve been a fashion editor for years - at Vogue, at The Times, The Independent, written four novels and a style guide. Writing isn’t the career I envisioned and definitely not writing about fashion (I thought I’d be a teacher) but it’s amazing. When I’m not travelling, I spend my time in London and the Cotswolds.
How do you start your day?
Chats and a squidge with Mabel, my Havanese and my husband. And yes, probably in that order. Mabel has a way of asserting herself as number one resident.
What is your fashion philosophy?
Wear what makes you happy. After years and years of thinking about this, I’m pretty sure that’s what matters most.
Can you share a styling trick with us?
Belt it, roll up the sleeves, layer a tank over it, find the right boots or shoes, add jewellery, or make a statement by not wearing any. Small tweaks, big difference. That’s true of life generally.
Who inspires you?
Anyone who excels at something, whether its Ancient Greek, gardening or being kind.
How do you unwind?
Walking - city or deep countryside. My husband, Mabel and I have been walking chunks of the South West Coat for a week at a time for past the past two summers. It’s incredibly beautiful and some days you hardly see anyone else. When you’ve walked 12 miles or so three days running, you realise there’s something about the movement and rhythm that frees up your body and mind. Only 580 miles to go…
If you could visit anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would it be?
I’ve travelled to so many far-flung places for my job - huge perk - that it feels very luxurious to stay at home these days. That said, my younger daughter’s in Australia, so I’d love to do more exploring with her there. Byron Bay, Tasmania….here we come.
Can you tell us something you discovered recently?
That if you pick up two or three bits of litter, you feel a lot less powerless in the face of other people’s trashy habits - and you might save an animal from choking on plastic. Again, small actions, big difference.
What is the best part of your job?
The places I’ve been, the people I’ve met, the incredible beauty and creativity.
Which shoes do you love this season?
The Misty Ripple Pebble - I love the way they combine glamour with comfort. I like shoes that make you feel spontaneous and relaxed. Plus, that's a serious bit of jewellery on the toes...
