Muse/Part 2: Alya Mooro

In the second part of our interview with writer and girl-about-town Alya Mooro she tells us how she held her own with Rosie Huntingdon-Whitely at a recent awards ceremony, and why she will always, always go for trainers over heels. (Amen sister.) Check the interview below and the rest of her fab Preen Line shoot.

What do you/where do you go if you ever need some inspiration?

I recently joined Pinterest and it’s an incredible source of inspiration! I’ve created boards for each of the trends I’m currently coveting / keen to try out and a quick scroll always helps me put together outfits for shoots or just every day.

What was the last item of clothing you borrowed from a friend, who was it and why? 

My flatmate Farrah’s closet is basically a treasure trove, and I’m very lucky to be allowed (almost) unlimited access to her archives. The most recent item I borrowed was a gorgeous faux fur Shrimps jacket. We bought one each in different colours and often swap – oh, the benefits of living with friends!

What was the last item of clothing you gave away, who to and why?

I often go through closet purges, donating anything I no longer wear to charity. I recently went through a massive binge and gave away a few bin bags worth of clothing.

What has been your proudest style moment to date?

This year I was invited to attend the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards, which was definitely one of my highlights, both sartorially and professionally. I wore a gorgeous coral dress from AQAQ with a thick gold belt and sparkly shoes. Of course it helped that I had a glam team courtesy of beauty concierge app Ruuby who came to the rescue with my hair and face, bringing the whole look together. I didn’t feel like an ogre next to the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Suki Waterhouse, which is quite an achievement in itself.

What's the most important piece of style advice you've been given?

“The most important thing to remember is that you can wear all the greatest clothes and all the greatest shoes, but you’ve got to have a good spirit on the inside. That’s what’s really going to make you look like you’re ready to rock the world.” - Alicia Keys

Is there one piece of style advice you've been given, but totally ignored?

To always wear heels! I have had more arguments than I can count with my parents who never understood why I owned upwards of 50 pairs of Nike trainers but pretty much nothing else. More recently I have succumbed to wearing heels more often – it’s undeniable that the right shoes can make or break an outfit, and that they can make you feel freaking amazing – but I will always prefer to be comfortable.