Natalie Hughes

Freelance Writer & Editor

I write about fashion, culture and interesting people for titles including VICE, Refinery29.com and Glamour.

Portfolio
MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
Style Opinion: The New Forever Bags

Understated and unadorned - but nonetheless luxurious and covetable - the new-season bags will stand the test of time, says Natalie Hughes.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
07/19/2017
The Interview: Glass Animals

The British quartet’s unique brand of R&B-infused indie pop is winning fans across the globe. Natalie Hughes meets lead singer Dave Bayley to talk music, style and home comforts.

VICE
07/17/2017
The VICE Interview: Mac DeMarco

For someone halfway through a massive tour that included two sold-out nights at Brixton Academy and a headline slot at End of the Road festival, Mac DeMarco seems like a highly down-to-earth person when I call for a chat.

VICE
06/19/2017
The VICE Interview: Ray Davies

The Kinks frontman discusses near-death experiences, alternative careers and his connection to the Eric Morecambe Appreciation Society.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
03/29/2017
The Interview: Parekh & Singh

Their future’s bright, and so are their custom-made suits. Natalie Hughes meets the Indian dream-pop duo tipped for worldwide success.

VICE
10/09/2016
The VICE Interview: Craig David

Craig David's busy on Fridays (and Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Thursdays) but he made time for The VICE Interview one Friday afternoon.

VICE
12/05/2016
The VICE Interview: Lars Ulrich

I meet Metallica's Lars Ulrich in a definitely not-very-metal situation – in a two-storey suite at London's Connaught Hotel, complete with chandelier...

VICE
12/19/2016
The VICE Interview: Mike Skinner

Fourteen years on from the release of The Streets' Original Pirate Material and Mike Skinner's hedonistic days are behind him.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
11/16/2016
The Interview: Parker Sawyers

The 33-year-old actor is stepping into his biggest role yet – as Barack Obama. Natalie Hughes meets the break-out star to talk movies, shoes and hip-hop mantras.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
06/21/2017
Spotlight On: Illustrator Jeremy Piningre

The emerging Parisian illustrator and graphic designer invites The Style Report into his surreal and wonderful world.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
11/23/2016
Style Opinion: Cocktail Dressing

Maximalists, rejoice. This season, you'll play dress up in foiled cocktail dresses, one-shouldered satin blouses and velvet suits as cocktail dressing makes a glittering, paillette-loaded return - just in time for the social season.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
08/10/2016
The Interview: Corinne Bailey Rae

She’s a Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter with a weakness for Gucci and a grown-up new album. She talks style, records and hieroglyphics with The Style Report.

VICE
09/26/2016
The VICE Interview: Jenny Lee Lindberg

This is The VICE Interview. Each week we ask a different famous and/or interesting person the same set of questions in a bid to peek deep into their psyche. Warpaint have just released their third album, Heads Up, which is both really good and a bit of a surprise, given that they've been subject to a few split rumours recently.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
09/14/2016
The Interview: Wild Beasts

With a gutsy new sound, the British quartet is living up to its name. Natalie Hughes meets Wild Beasts to talk guitar solos, growing up and good shoes.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
01/25/2017
My Desk: Artist Alex Hartley

The groundbreaking British artist pushes boundaries with works that span mediums, terrain and even outer space. Natalie Hughes meets him.

Luxury Briefing
10/26/2016
Digital Thinker

A fresh approach to affiliate marketing has revived the attitudes – and sales – of luxury brands. Natalie Hughes, the Founding Director of social media agency The Fashion Digital, discusses digital trailblazers, the power of influence and the importance of online adaptability.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
05/18/2016
The Interview: Flume

A hyped Coachella set, upcoming world tour and a second album – it’s an exciting year for music producer Flume. He talks technology and on-stage style.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
06/22/2016
The Interview: Lou Doillon

Singer, model, actress, mother - Jane Birkin's daughter carves her own path. The consummate Parisienne talks crooked beauty, poetry and style.

GLAMOUR
12/01/2014
Make Yourself Heard

Not loud enough on social media? Up your online presence in 9 minutes...

Refinery29
11/10/2014
What London Is REALLY Like In Your 20s

Chaka Khan once said, "When I was in my 20s, it felt like I was riding wild horses, and I was hoping I didn't go over a cliff." I feel the same way, except I'm riding the Northern Line and hoping there isn't signal failure on a Sunday.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
10/19/2016
Rules Of Style: Virgil Abloh

As Off-White’s exclusive collection for MATCHESFASHION.COM launches, Natalie Hughes meets the label’s creative director who has given rise to a whole new category of streetwear.

Sleek Mag
08/11/2016
Need Inspiration? Here Are 4 New Designers We're into Today

If you haven't heard of them already, you soon will. We've travelled from Stockholm to Bahrain to round up a quartet of up-and-coming designers whose collections are turning heads. Arethé Stockholm has managed to bottle that elusive Scandi-cool in her sleek, oft-androgynous designs.

Emirates Woman
10/01/2015
Have WiFi, Will Spend

There's nothing like a shopping trip to make the heart race. if John Hughes films are anything to go by, a 1980s spree involved many outfit changes, several over-zealous swipes of a credit card and a car boot-full of bursting paper bags, all set to a jaunty soundtrack. these days, all you need is a smartphone or laptop and the will to spend.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
08/24/2016
10 Rules Of Style: Ezra Petronio

Publisher, creative director and photographer: Ezra Petronio is a man of many talents – and an effortlessly Parisian approach to dressing.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
08/17/2016
The Vacation Report: Destination Baja

With a dining scene as vibrant as its turquoise waters, this Mexican peninsula is the bohemian gourmand’s perfect setting. The Style Report journeys to Baja California Sur.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
06/15/2016
How To Wear: Italian City Style

From modern art in Florence to a Wes Anderson-themed bar in Milan, discover where to go and what to wear in four Italian cities, just in time for the SS17 shows.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
07/13/2016
Style Details

This week: put on your thinking cap, go to a moveable restaurant in Margate and enjoy thoughtful architecture in Venice.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
10/12/2016
The Art Of: Entertaining At Home

This season, the bon vivant is muse. AW16's designers created luxuriously refined, yet relaxed leisurewear. Think slouchy velvet suiting, diaphanous dresses that graze the floor and jewel-encrusted slides; these pieces are as suited to entertaining guests at home as they are wafting through Marrakech.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
06/22/2016
Style Details: Paris Fashion Week

It’s Paris fashion week: from the reopened Ritz hotel to a beatnik exhibition, we round up where to go and what to wear in the City of Light.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
06/01/2016
Style Details

In this week's round-up, discover a fantastical exhibition in Tokyo, a new must-watch series and the best collarless shirts.

Sleek Mag
06/01/2016
Meet Sam Smith's Favorite New Singer

She was the talk of SXSW and Sam Smith loves her music - "fucking beautiful" were his exact words. The 25 year old singer-songwriter JONES may not have released her debut album yet, but she's already poised for big things. We sat down with her to chat teenage diaries, vintage shopping and girl power.

Sleek Mag
06/14/2016
The Shoe Designer the Fashion Set is Going Crazy For

Camilla Elphick is one of those elusive beings who is both fiercely hardworking and always impeccably turned-out, rarely without a pair of vertiginous pumps, an impeccable blowdry and her equally coiffed puppy, Lulu, in tow.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
04/27/2016
The Interview: Todd Dorigo

Todd Dorigo arrives to our shoot wearing an unbuttoned, leopard-print shirt and waxed skinny jeans, crowned by a head of messy chocolate curls and freighted with a guitar. The 25-year-old singer-songwriter certainly looks like a rockstar, but he doesn't act like one.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
05/11/2016
Style Details

On this week's to-know list? Slick watches, elevated track pants and this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Because Magazine
Because Meets: Charlie May

Upon entering Charlie May's Hackney studio it's all too tempting to snap a photo of the statuesque fig plant occupying the far corner. But the designer's digital nous has already struck - the Grace & Thorn purchase has garnered 1,579 likes on her popular feed.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
04/20/2016
Style Details

This week: why espadrilles are the smart choice for summer, plus London's new Japanese-style hip-hop bar.

British Airways High Life
02/18/2015
The Fashion Insiders' Guide to London

'This California-themed café is my go-to brunch spot. I'm addicted to their homemade granola, and their Skinny Benedict and So Clean So Fresh superfood bowl are oh-so-good.' - Camilla Elphick, shoe designer 59 Sloane Avenue, SW3 3DH; +44 (0)207 052 9388 David Shrigley at Sketch 'Sketch's pink David Shrigley room is a delight to eat in - food, interiors and atmosphere join up for a culinary cacophony.'

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
04/27/2016
How To Wear: Key Labels To Know

Discover five labels creating essential everyday pieces that stylishly mix form with function.

Matches Fashion: The Style Report
Style Details

Your work-to-weekend update: retro cool via an off-duty staple and slick new trainers. Plus, Tim Coppens on his streetwear-inspired designs.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
04/20/2016
How To Wear: City-Break Attire

Spring is the perfect time for a city getaway. We bring you the hottest destinations - and what to wear there.

Social Concierge
05/22/2015
Review: The Albany, Great Portland Street

It's not often I find myself in Fitzrovia, but a recent trip to The Albany promised to change that. The airy gastro pub occupies a blue-painted corner of Great Portland Street, nestled right by Regent's Park - ideal for a post-date park stroll.

Refinery29
05/19/2014
Revealed: London's Secret Walks

As London heats up (albeit slowly and reluctantly), its inhabitants take a tentative look outside while nervously shedding their tights. It's almost time, readers, by which we mean summertime - and we're already planning our weekend outdoor pursuits (after all, it may be fleeting).

Social Concierge
03/11/2015
Review: The Jones Family Project, Shoreditch

Call me a lazy dater, but nothing makes me smugger than finding a café-cum-restaurant in which I can go from remote desk to bar stool in one easy manoeuvre. At The Jones Family Project, I can do just that; by day, the ground floor is a freelance-friendly café, complete with a dedicated nook housing a desk and a printer (the stuff of self-employed dreams).

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
03/30/2016
Spotlight On: John Varvatos

This versatile jacket is the perfect foundation for building your new-season look. The Style Report shows you the pieces to style it with now.

Refinery29
11/21/2013
17 Of The Coolest Hats Around, Whatever The Weather

Whether you’re lamenting the loss of summer, trying to tame your mane in frizz-inducing drizzle, or simply looking to jazz up your trans-seasonal style, there’s never been a better time to invest in a stylish hat.

LK Bennett
03/29/2014
Trend: Earn Your Stripes

Stripes are enduringly chic, with the most famous iteration - the Breton dating as far back as 1858. Back then, French sailors wore 21 stripes (one for each of Napoleon's victories). For Spring/Summer '14, the classic mariniѐre motif has been modernised - think graphic lines and sketchy stripes - and now adorns shifts, sheaths and sandals.

Refinery29
02/10/2014
30 Decorations To Get The Party Started

Clever hostesses everywhere will probably agree that half of the fun of throwing a party is planning it. We can easily lose hours scouring Pinterest for the coolest canapés or the perfect Paperless Post invites with which to woo guests. Our favourite part? Decorating! Gone are the days of

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
03/23/2016
Spotlight on: Loewe

Jonathan Anderson is something of a magician. Spanish powerhouse may be 170 years old, but after just three seasons in his charge, it's metamorphosed to epic proportions - speaking of which, those supersized denim turn-ups are back, but more on that later.

LK Bennett
04/05/2014
Wear It 3 Ways: The Mena Jacket

Master ladylike chic with coordinating separates. The Mena dress forms an elegant foundation for the matching jacket, whatever the occasion. Finish with a sleek envelope clutch and matching heels to play to the outfit's retro sensibility.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
04/06/2016
Style Details

Master SS16's camo-print trend, plus discover the Tribeca Film Festival and a new exhibition from novelist Bret Easton Ellis and artist Alex Israel in LA.

Matches Fashion: The Style Report
12/18/2013
How To Wear: The Jumpsuit

Uniting function and form in one swathe of fabric, it's no wonder the jumpsuit has stood the test of time. It has enjoyed wildly diverse incarnations, from the utterly practical - the jumpsuit was the uniform for parachuting pilots in the early 20th century, and for 1940s and 1950s factory workers - to the totally opulent - think 1960s loose and louche, courtesy of designers such as Yves Saint Laurent and Norma Kamali.

Refinery29
10/18/2013
Meet The 13 '90s Trends We're Ready To Bring Back

Ah, the '90s. Whether you were taking style tips from Kurt Cobain, trying to perfect Baby Spice’s pigtails, or investing in multiple pairs of Adidas poppers, you probably have a fond – or downright cringeworthy – memory from the decade.

LK Bennett
04/05/2014
She's Electric

The classic shift gets a modern update in the form of the Bally dress. Its zingy citrus hue is a fresh contrast to the sixties-inspired silhouette which, boasting elbow-length sleeves and A-line skirt, is enduringly chic.

Refinery29
11/15/2013
6 Reasons To Miss The Last Tube Home

With a cornucopia of clubs keeping the city's residents awake long past bedtime, it's not always easy to find your perfect nightspot.

The Little Beauty Guide
Review: Jo Hansford

Sometimes I like to fantasise about being a Mayfair-dwelling lady who lunches, complete with Hermes Kelly and bouncy blowdry. There’s still £6000 standing between Kelly and I, but the gorgeously glossy hair is now a reality, thanks to Jo Hansford.

Matches Fashion: The Style Report
04/02/2014
How To Wear: Red-Carpet Glamour

Playfully cropped cocktail dresses or graduated gowns felt fresh on this year's red carpets, with rising stars such as Emma Watson (below) opting for rising hems. Christopher Kane 's scarlet mini dress is the fashion girl's choice - the simple shape lends itself perfectly to statement accessories, while the crystal buttons add a touch of sparkle.

Social Concierge
03/28/2015
Review: Chotto Matte, Soho

Chotto Matte takes reservations. If you're anything like me, someone who's spent ample time queuing in Soho, you'll understand the sheer joy this elicits. Frankly, waiting outside would be a waste, considering how invitingly sleek the interiors are.

Emirates Woman
01/12/2016
Dubai's Biggest Fashion Brands On Instagram

The influence of Instagram is almost unparalleled. So much so, that there are brands worldwide who have built their house using its wide-reaching powers. Here are four local stars who have combined talent with social media savvy. The result? Success: plain and simple. Social media has a lot to answer for.

Refinery29
03/28/2014
3 Ways To Wear A Classic Pea Coat

In a sea of fast trends and fleeting fashions, the pea coat has stood the test of time, keeping sailors cosy as far back as 1723. Nearly three centuries later, this double-breasted style is still a closet essential.

LK Bennett
04/05/2014
Trend: Paintbox Brights

This season's brights pack a powerful punch, as designers sent the most saturated hues down the catwalks. Think pillar box red, petrol blue and jade green, worn tonally or together. There are prints, too - graphic, painterly or impressionistic - for the strongest style statement.

Matches Fashion: The Style Report
11/27/2013
How To Wear: White

How to clean up your sartorial act with fashion's coolest palette? Natalie Hughes looks to the streets to find style inspiration in its purest form. A blank canvas has never looked so chic.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
03/30/2016
Style Details

This week: Balenciaga sets the trend for heavy treads, plus slick bomber jackets and hot new openings.

Matches Fashion: The Style Report
01/15/2014
How To Wear: Modern Layers

Embrace the new season's key pieces while staving off the winter chill with clever layering. A drop in temperature doesn’t mean you have to abandon your favourite leather jacket; simply layer on a blanket coat or cape for added warmth. Fuzzy fabrics work well here – think mohair or boiled wool – while the flash of biker hardware keeps things city-ready.

Refinery29
09/06/2013
3 Romantic Restos & The Outfits To Match

Foodies, rejoice: September is London's busiest month for restaurant openings, and boy, are there some corkers coming to our city. So, call up your choice of date for a romantic night out! We've sniffed out the best new eateries with which to impress your date, whether they have a penchant

Refinery29
01/27/2014
The 3 Chic & Easy Ways To Wear An Oversized Top

The big-and-bold silhouette trend shows no signs of shrinking. Around the globe, designers continue to favour cocoon coats, diaphanous skirts, and airy tunics. Of course, with great proportion comes great responsibility, and admittedly, the very real risk of looking more like a bag lady than a

Refinery29
10/30/2013
The Lazy Girl's Guide To Throwing A Party

There’s nothing scarier than throwing together a last-minute party. You know the drill: You’ve only got a few hours to pull together snacks, drinks, and decorations — not to mention, um, clean. And no, a bag of Doritos and a few tea lights is not gonna cut it.

MatchesFashion.com - The Style Report
03/23/2016
Look to Loewe

Quietly luxurious and versatile in design, the style set turns to the Spanish label for bags that will stand the test of time. Discover Loewe's cult styles, and how to wear them now.

Matches Fashion: The Style Report
08/07/2013
Girl With A Punk Earring

Out with the demure pearls and in with the cool-girl ear cuffs and piercings - the subversive trend just got chic. Until recently, piercing had a rebellious reputation; veering away from more than a simple stud in each ear lobe was considered ‘edgy’. Now, thanks to a recent influx of red-carpet sightings on Diane Kruger, Cara Delevingne and Nicole Richie, as well as fashion-insider devotees, punk piercings have become positively chic.

Global Blue
05/23/2013
South Kensington's Most Stylish Spots

South Kensington, with some of the most renowned museums in the city, has long been an essential destination for London’s visitors. But did you know that this stylish district is also fabulous for shopping? On the doorstep of South Kensington station are some of the world’s best designers and boutiques, as well as chic salons and acclaimed restaurants.

Refinery29
08/26/2013
8 Coffee Shops EVERY Local Should Know

Like every other self-respecting Londoner, we appreciate a decent cup of Joe. Call us coffee snobs, but to waste your precious morning brew on one of the city’s mega chains is nothing short of sacrilege.

Refinery29
07/11/2013
The Ultimate Guide To London's Most Exclusive 'Hood

If you thought South Kensington was just for tourists, you'd be mistaken. Sure, it has its fair share of iconic museums - V&A, Natural History and Science namely - but there are a swathe of restaurants, bars, and boutiques that aren't on the tourist maps, and are definitely worth a visit.

Refinery29
08/30/2013
London's Top Brunch Spots For Hangovers

We were once told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But, since dining at these ten London establishments, we’re inclined to think it’s actually all about brunch. Londoners have started to take brunch very seriously, and rightly so.

Refinery29
06/06/2013
Found: London’s Very Best BBQ Joints

Carnivores, rejoice. Somewhere amongst the raw-food diets and pre-holiday juice detoxes, there is a BBQ revolution happening in London. Make no mistake, barbecue — the southern American-derived art of slow-cooking meat over a pit or smoker to preserve its tenderness — isn’t new to the city.

Refinery29
06/28/2013
5 London Gals Giving The Cat-Lady Stereotype A Run For Its Money

We're not sure whether we have Grumpy Cat's grimace, Choupette Lagerfeld's mystique, or Charlotte Olympia's Kitty flats to thank, but cats are having a major moment right now. Don't get us wrong; felines have long been ruling the homes of some of the world's chicest women for years.

Refinery29
02/20/2014
Fashion Plates: 3 New London Restos

We all have our favorite local hangouts to kick back with friends, eat great food, and sip even better cocktails. But, going to the same place over and over again can get a little old. If the waiter knows your order by heart, it's time to find a new spot to dine out.

Refinery29
06/19/2015
The Best Airbnbs Within 2 Hours Of London

London is great, but even the most loyal of city dwellers need a change of scenery from time to time. Making regular trips to exotic destinations isn't always feasible, but easy-to-reach weekend excursions are a great alternative. Well get ready, we've done the leg work for you, and narrowed

Refinery29
01/29/2014
The Decor Buys To Luxe Up Your Home

There comes a time in a person’s life where they glance across their room — past the buckling wardrobe, groaning underneath the weight of one-too-many ASOS impulse buys — and think, “How long can I really hold onto that squeaky pleather couch/Ikea bookcase/unframed Klimt print from the uni poster sale?”

Refinery29
06/03/2013
The 6 U.K. Pinterest Pros You Absolutely Must Follow

Hands up; who loves Pinterest? Sure, and why shouldn't you? But, with every new social media phenomenon comes a new set of problems - one in particular that we like to call Inspiration Overload. Too many pretty pictures and just not enough time to sift through them all.

Refinery29
05/14/2013
Not Just Pretty Faces: Meet The New Breed Of Model-Artist Hybrids

We've had the models-slash-actors and the models-cum-musicians, but word on the street is that there's a new 'slashie' in town. Make way for the model-slash-artist. This 2013 hybrid is both beautiful and brooding, which can only lead to world domination - or at least some very high

Refinery29
05/09/2013
London’s Fiercest Running Routes — From The Experts Who Know

Come on, Londoners — it’s time to peel yourself away from Netflix and get your cardio on! And no, owning a pair of Nike Air Max isn’t enough. And no, inflated costs of gym memberships aren't an appropriate excuse to sit at home, either — not when you can let London be your (free) treadmill, and explore the city while working up a sweat.

Refinery29
05/08/2013
The Ultimate Guide To London's Hottest Hipster 'Hood

When it comes to hip and happening places in London, one might not immediately think of the district formally known as "murder mile." But, just like its fellow Hackney hipster hot spots, Shoreditch and Dalston, Clapton has reinvented itself. That's right, the artists have moved further east

Refinery29
04/18/2013
A Natural High: 10 Magical Foods That Make You Happy

Sunshine, where are you? Because frankly, it's getting a bit silly now. Judging by the (even more) sour expressions (than usual) on the London Underground, this extended winter is making us miserable, prompting even the cheeriest among us to invest in an S.A.D. lamp and extend the hibernation

Global Blue
04/17/2013
Notting Hill's Best Boutiques for Ladylike Chic

Notting Hill has long been a destination for some of London’s most stylish inhabitants, but came to international prominence thanks to a certain 1990s film of the same name. Now, the bohemian-chic district boasts a wealth of seriously cool boutiques offering some of the best ladylike designs. Here are our picks.

Global Blue
04/15/2013
Roland Mouret's New Signature Dress

The fashion world fell in love with the French designer's curve-contouring designs in 2006 with the iconic Galaxy dress, and again with the origami-like folds of the Moon style a few years later. Now the celebrated designer has done it again. Make room in your wardrobe for another Mouret classic.

Refinery29
01/22/2013
Puppies Welcome! The Coolest (Dog-Friendly) London Hot Spots

If you thought a sachet of Pedigree Chum was good enough for your four-legged friend, you'd be mistaken. These days, London's most pampered pooches are more likely to be seen at a gastropub than a kennel, and the city's hottest eateries are catching on.

Refinery29
01/03/2013
Lunchtime Intel: 4 Fancy Burgers Every Londoner Needs To Try

The coolest thing to be seen clutching in London right now? Well, apart from Charlotte Olympia's Christmas pudding clutch? A burger. Sure, the diner-menu fixture has been making appearances at tourist traps and late-night, neon-lit, ahem, establishments for a while, but we're not talking fast food, here. As MEATliquor proved, Londoners are willing to wait for their burgers — two shivering hours on a Monday evening, to be exact.