Cover Look: Missoni @missoni | Right: Dress – Joseph Ribkoff @josephribkoff
Ella on Style, Storytelling & Sustainability
With a style that feels both cinematic and deeply personal, Ella Maisy Purvis has carved out a fashion identity that blends classic silhouettes with daring risks. From her love of vintage treasures to her commitment to sustainability, Ella approaches fashion as both an art form and a philosophy. In this candid conversation, she opens up about her inspirations, her rule-breaking style choices, and the stories she believes our clothes carry with them.
Your style often feels both effortless and intentional. How do you strike that balance between spontaneity and curation in your fashion choices?
There’s no spontaneity in my style. I plan everything, from travel to my morning coffee to what I wear. I usually build an outfit around one standout piece. Recently, I found a pair of blue culottes with green piping and crisp pleats. That very specific silhouette determined the blouse I paired with it. My looks tend to be structured and classic, though ironically, they always seem to look best when I’m rushing.
If you could describe your fashion aesthetic as a mood or a film scene, what would it look and feel like?
I’d choose the moment in Morocco (1930) when Marlene Dietrich kisses the woman in the bar while singing, a cigarette elegantly balanced between her fingers. It’s cinematic, iconic, and full of grace and seduction—that’s what I try to channel when creating a silhouette.
Center: Dress: Self Portrait @mrselfportrait Socks : Falke @falke Earrings : Tilly Sveaas @tillysveaas
Fashion is constantly evolving…what’s a style rule you love breaking, and why?
Socks with sandals, without a doubt. There are too many beautiful socks to hide! The second is pattern clashing. My mum taught me that stripes and animal prints are both neutrals, so they can pair with almost anything, even each other. I love mixing a chunky striped Breton tee with high-waisted leopard-print pants. To me, mixing patterns can feel more harmonious than two block colors.
When you’re choosing what to wear for a big moment, what’s your starting point? Comfort, statement piece, or emotion?
It usually starts with group texts—“what are you wearing?” is always the question. From there, I pick a statement piece or a whole statement vibe. If I’m uncertain, I always “suit it out.” A tailored three-piece suit never fails to make me feel like myself.
Who or what has been the most unexpected influence on your personal style?
Learning about fabric production. Understanding how clothes are made made me realize their long-term value. My wardrobe isn’t disposable; it’s meant to last a lifetime. That perspective has made my style more defined and international.
If your wardrobe could tell a story about your life, what would the title be?
The Pre-Loved Library. Most of my pieces are second-hand, and I love imagining the lives they’ve lived before me. Vintage shops feel like libraries full of stories, and I get to carry those experiences forward.
You’ve worn looks that range from minimal chic to bold and experimental…what inspires you to take those sartorial risks?
The hope of redefining “flattering.” Too often, it’s code for “slimming.” I don’t dress to look thinner; I dress for me. Bold choices quiet that little voice of doubt in my head.
In a world where trends move at lightning speed, how do you ensure your style still feels authentic?
By shopping sustainably. Even if an outfit feels perfectly “me,” it loses authenticity if it wasn’t sourced responsibly. Sustainability is non-negotiable.
Ella Maisy Purvis @ellamaisypurvis Photography David Reiss @davidreissphotography Hair & Make Up Maria Comparetto @mariacomparettomua Styling: Harriet Nicolson @harrietnicolsonstylist
Suit: Knatchbull @knatchbullsavilerow Shoes: Kurt Geiger @kurtgeiger Earrings: YSSO @the.ysso