KITRI Spotlight: Ebony Louise Francis

You’ve worn so many hats in the fashion industry, from styling to art direction to podcast host. Which has been your favourite so far?

I don’t have any favourites as each role has just prepared me for the next and I have learnt so much and have been fortunate to work some incredible talent over the years. The podcast was a brand-new venture for me, and it gave me an outlet to speak directly to an audience and provide insight and knowledge which was truly an incredible experience, and I loved having a platform that allowed people to get to know me and my vibe behind an image. The interaction was incredible too as it helped to build connections with real people who admire mindful shopping tips and ways to curate an elevated and cohesive wardrobe. 

When styling for clients, shoots or choosing your own outfits, where do you look for inspiration?

I am truly inspired everyday by the people I meet, conversations I have and from experiences I have. I focus on energy, space, and a feeling rather than exact pieces when creating outfits. 

I love store design, ambience and interiors give me the best inspiration for colour combinations and the mixing of texture. I visited the Aesop store in Marylebone recently which features the works of Sebastian Cox & Olivier Cousy. Influenced by the British Library, the store references a book shop with bespoke timber cabinetry furniture, oak stained shelving, and custom geometric colours with a soothing, tonal sensibility. 

Where styling for clients or on shoots, I always discuss the mood and vibe that we want to capture with the photographer, Art Director and Post Production as it such a collaborative process so we all need to be aligned. I will always check a model’s Instagram profile to see what they look like in everyday settings and make notes on their own personal style as that shows me what they look comfortable in, and this can very often steer a shoot’s direction. I love it when a model gets involved in styling outfits on set as the shoot feels super authentic and you create a different energy on set. 

We absolutely loved collaborating with you on our second Supper Club series! You mentioned that discovering KITRI helped you fall back in love with colour. How has that changed your approach to dressing?

I would shy away from bold colour or prints for a while as I would be concerned with how much longevity I would get out of these pieces, but I realised I was missing some joy in my wardrobe. I loved how I FELT in the Kitri swan print set with its ballet inspired motifs which took me back to my years of ballet training. It was effortless to style up this set with a mini top handle bag, statement earrings and flat sandals which made the look feel complete. Over the summer I played with red, baby blues and greens which took me out of my comfort zone and made me feel uplifted. This season I am going to add some rich colour and jewelled tones to continue this new love of colour! 

How would you describe your personal style?

Relaxed, elegant and timeless with a focus on tonal styling, maxi dresses, matching sets, or full tailored suiting. I love how fabrics move and feel on the skin so fluidly and comfortability is key in my outfits. My style often leans towards a darker palette, but I love adding in textures to add interest such as cashmere, leather, suede, and silk. 

How do you adapt your personal style to the party season?

For evening events I like to be a little more extra!!! Think floor length maxi dresses, statement earrings, sparkle and shine and a statement lip. I focus on my skin, makeup, nails, and hair as a pamper routine gives me extra confidence before heading out. A signature fragrance spritzed onto a sleek party outfit is the perfect accessory. Very often I will wear something I already own or for a special event but recently I have enjoyed loaning statement accessories to elevate my look. 

We are excited to have launched our Autumn/Winter 24 Collection recently! What are your tips for embracing a new season in style?

I love to create a vision board of the mood and vibe of how I want to show up for the season ahead which includes beauty, wellness, and music. This helps me to define how my style will adapt to truly encapsulate that specific energy. This mood board focuses on how I want to feel - elegant, relaxed, confident and timeless. I will then identify the seasonal items that I want to pull out from my own wardrobe with styling imagery from my favourite designers, street style photos and wish list pieces. Curating this mood helps me stay on track with new purchases and I often find that I only need one other two new pieces such as a fun party dress or an investment accessory. 

What pieces from the KITRI Autumn/Winter 24 Collection are your favourites?

The new AW24 collection is so strong & I am loving the velvet textures, feather trims, embroidery, and long length silhouettes. My favourite pieces are the Marlene Jacket + Rosamund Trousers (as a full suit), Brogan coat (over a simple long length slip would be major) and the Vavara dress (as I love a little drama in an evening outfit).