“Curating innovative and unique shopping experiences, Shawana is a Visual Consultant for many international fashion houses with clients including Opening Ceremony, Erdem and Burberry. She is also the co-founder of Still Life, an interior focused design store set to launch September 2017. Shawana moved to London in 2007 to study at Chelsea College of Art & Design and has lived in Hackney ever since.”

♫ LISTEN TO SHAWANA'S PLAYLIST | ⌨ Her LAST GOOGLE SEARCH

On Her Morning Routine

Each morning is different, but usually I wake up at 6.30am and head straight to the kitchen to make coffee. If I have time I’ll throw together a yoghurt, fruit and flax seed bowl. The next half an hour is spent checking emails, catching up on news before jumping in the shower. At the moment I wash my face with Una Brenan Vitamin C+ Cleansing Oil, it’s full of citrus and helps me to wake me up. Usually I’m out the door by 8 or 9am depending on which project I am working on.

On her path to visual merchandising

I moved to London when I was 19 to study Textile Design at the Chelsea College of Art & Design. Alongside this, at the weekends I worked at Browns which is a multi-brand store on South Molten Street that opened in the 70’s. My time here in-between studying gave me an insight into working in a luxury retail environment, from here I knew I wanted to pursue visual merchandising and store design as a career.

On becoming a Visual Consultant

After I graduated I spent time working with a handful influential stylists in London but quickly realized I missed the physical interaction that comes from working with collections in a retail setting. From here I spent three years working for Opening Ceremony where I led visuals in the UK. My role involved working on exclusive collaborations, new store openings and windows too. At the start of last year I moved into visual consultancy, which means I get to work closely with individual brands at the heart of their business developing unique visual strategies.

On Finding Inspiration

I gain inspiration from my day-to-life but particularly from visiting galleries, meeting with designers, and traveling.

On SHOPPING

For everyday basics I go to COS, Margaret Howell & Uniqlo and for more unique pieces sometimes I’ll head to Acne Studios, Dover Street Market or Matches. I also love visiting flea markets outside of London and in California, where I’ve picked up some of my most treasured items.

““I adore the work of Middle Eastern artist Saloua Raouda Choucair, and love to browse this book, which is full of the sculptural work she showed at Tate Modern in 2013. Another favourite is ‘Some Women’ by Robert Mapplethorpe, which has a beautiful forward by Joan Didion; I found this in a tiny bookstore on vacation in Ojai last year. ‘Wabi-Sabi’ is a book that informs my practice and I love to re-visit it often.””

— On her favorite books

On her Make-up routine

For make-up I have a quick routine that I’ve got down into five minutes. I use the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser. I’ve been using it for years; it’s very light and sinks into the skin. I use NARS Pressed Setting Powder and a tiny bit of Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium on my cheeks. Then, I pencil in my eyebrows with MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Stud. I use Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Pencil in Bronzed Garnett all over my lids, blend in, curl my lashes then finish with L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara. For lips I love the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils in Dolce Vita and Red Square.

On Her Skincare Routine

I love to use Mario Badescu Facial Spray before La Roche-Posay Sunscreen SPF 30 every morning. It locks in hydration and leaves my skin feeling really smooth. Once or twice a week I’ll do a face mask, my favorites are by Dermalogica, they really work. After cleansing with Bioderma Crealine, I’ll put the Skin Hydrating Masque on overnight; you wake up with the softest skin! My most recent discovery is the Aesop Deodorant; I love the scent and also wear it as a perfume too.

On Her Haircare

For my hair I use Pureology Hydrate Shampoo + Conditioner. It smells really minty and keeps my thick hair under control. Before I blast it with a hairdryer I also use their Hydrate Shine Max Serum, it helps to keep it smooth and doesn’t make your hair greasy. I’ll then comb it back into tight low bun.

Shawana's Beauty Tips

Recently I’ve been using a dry body brush before I shower, it really helps to get your blood flowing and keep your skin smooth. I love to use Dr. Bronner Almond Castile Liquid Soap or Aesop A Rose By Any Other Name Body Cleanser. I’ll then use Ren Morrocan Rose Oil to moisturize. I try to take a hot bath once a week; usually I put in 1 scoop of Epsom salts with a few drops of lavender oil.

““We are launching Still-Life, an online interiors store in September 2017. Founded by my close friend Elin and I, it is a curated selection of products from internationally established and emerging designers with a focus on found objects for the home. We met at Opening Ceremony and bonded over our love for minimalist objects, ceramics and sculpture. For updates follow us on Instagram: @still_life_store””

— On her Upcoming project