Stories On Style | Pip Durell
It is a great pleasure to introduce this month’s Stories on Style guest, Pip Durell.
Pip is the founder and CEO of With Nothing Underneath, the much-loved British brand known for its understated, timeless approach to dressing. A long-time favourite of ours, WNU embodies effortless style and also happens to be our neighbour on Ledbury Road.
Join us as we discuss the art of balancing work and motherhood, her signature approach to dressing, and the spring-summer wardrobe staples she'll be reaching for this season - for both herself and her daughter.
Celia X
Balance
You are the CEO and founder of With Nothing Underneath, as well as a mother to Bobbie with another little one on the way! Congratulations! After a successful career in fashion- from British Vogue stylist to Tatler editor- what inspired you to take the leap and turn your passion and pursuit for the perfect shirt into the hugely successful brand it is today?
It was a very organic build – I never expected it to become the business it is today! I think that passion and a fear of failure can get you far!
How do you strike the balance between work and motherhood?
I am not sure I do! I try to be fully present at the one I’m doing – that way you can only be trying your best.
Family Time
Favourite family activity?I think it has to be the beach – we spend a lot of time in Devon throughout the year and you will find us on the sand all year round.
Favourite bedtime story? Currently we are very into all the Peter Rabbit collection – the beautiful illustrations of the little animals on each page are timeless and seem to be a hit with every generation!
Five essentials every mother needs? Moisturiser, toner, serum, SPF and an LED mask!!!!!
What’s the most important piece of advice you and your husband want to pass onto your children?
This is hard – I think we just want her to be herself – whoever that turns out to be!!
Style
We love your style – what is your approach to dressing? Both your own wardrobe and Bobbie’s?
Easy, effortless. I don’t take long dressing either of us – I love beautiful clothes that we can throw on and go.
What is your go-to outfit? A shirt, of course! And then usually jeans but in the middle of summer probably a pair of our Penn shorts.
We’d love to hear how you plan to style yourself and Bobbie for the following occasions.
i. Beach day in Devon
I love yellow gingham – the Aimee dress is perfect for a summer’s day at the beach. I’ll be in a WNU coord set, something easy like seersucker, maybe in our yellow stripe for a matching moment
ii. Summer Garden party
The Strawberry Floral Elara Dress — because nothing says summer quite like strawberries. Continuing my love of fruit prints -I would go for our new Plum Print – the Clara skirt – and then I would add a cream Belgravia blazer - suitably summer and effortlessly elevated.
iii. Summer Celebration
We have just launched our Atelier Collection, perfect for a summer of celebration; flowergirl, christenings etc.
The Gardenia dress in pink – it is so pretty and I love the embroidered yellow florals.
I would go for the WNU Blenheim dress, beautiful in Irish linen it drapes perfectly and paired with the right accessories can go from a work day to a wedding.
Travel
We shot our last two campaigns in Rio de Janeiro and Granada and we share your love of travel. What has been one of your favourite places to visit as a family?
We love Puglia in Southern Italy. The food is wonderful – especially for a pasta loving 2 year old! The old town of Ostuni is wonderful for exploring and the copious amounts of gelato don’t hurt.
What are your plans for the summer?
Other than Puglia, we are going to the south of France with friends and their children – big lawns for games and a swimming pool for them to tire themselves out in, followed by long adult dinners – bliss.
What are your travel must-haves when travelling with children?
Snacks and stickers – these two things can get you through almost anything.
We always like to round up the conversation by asking, what’s next for you?
A new baby in September, we are very excited – particularly Bobbie who can't wait to be a big sister!
We love your style – what is your approach to dressing? Both your own wardrobe and Bobbie’s?
Easy, effortless. I don’t take long dressing either of us – I love beautiful clothes that we can throw on and go.
What is your go-to outfit? A shirt, of course! And then usually jeans but in the middle of summer probably a pair of our Penn shorts.
We’d love to hear how you plan to style yourself and Bobbie for the following occasions.
Go-to gift ideas for a new arrival? For both parents (!) and their littlest arrival!
I always love to get a cashmere cardigan for a newborn, nothing cosier. And for the parents we send food – a whole ham from our local butcher always goes down a treat!
Three items you always have in your handbag.
Raisins, a book (currently Peter rabbit) and hair clips to attempt to manage the mop on my daughters head.
