Style starts with knowing who you are.
Bees & Taylor was founded by Emily Giffard-Taylor in 2013, after a career spanning fashion journalism, styling, retail, e-tail and PR.
Fashion was in the family long before that. Emily’s mother was a dressmaker with a shop on London’s King’s Road, whilst generations before her worked with clothes and textiles. Growing up around fabric, fit and the making of clothes gave Emily an early appreciation for the difference that quality, craftsmanship and a good cut can make.
That instinct still shapes the way she works today: buy less, buy well and make what you own work harder.
Beginning her career at Condé Nast before moving to ELLE, Emily developed a broad understanding of the fashion industry before finding her niche in styling. She went on to build an established portfolio across celebrity, editorial, commercial and television work.
Bees & Taylor grew from that experience, bringing the same fashion eye and industry knowledge to private clients. Today, the business spans personal styling, transformational coaching, virtual wardrobe and commercial & editorial styling – helping clients and creative teams make better choices, whether that’s event dressing, an image or how they want to show up.
Emily’s approach is instinctive and built on relationships: understand the person, understand the brief, then work out what actually makes sense.
No prescribed style. No unnecessary rules. Just good clothes, thoughtful choices and a strong understanding of the client.
Q&A with Emily
What is your most important style rule?
My advice, wear what suits YOU. A capsule wardrobe made up of classic styles, transitional pieces and vintage originals helps me to create a look for any occasion; whilst that offbeat gem adds a little bit of ‘me’ to any outfit. Buy what you like, what suits and what makes you feel good, and indulge in trends second.
What is your best styling investment?
Find a local seamstress you trust – nowadays one size does not fit all and a few tweaks can completely transform a piece. Whether it's taking in on the waist, letting down a hem or getting creative, my wardrobe is that much better for their attention!
What is your never regret buy?
My Gucci silver glitter mules. They were loved, battered and worn to death - which, to me, is a much better measure of a luxury purchase. I love blending high and low, old and new - don't be scared to mix it up.
What makes a great wardrobe?
Less, but better. I don't think you need a bigger wardrobe, you need a wardrobe that works harder. The best ones have a strong foundation of things you genuinely love and wear, a few pieces that make you feel fantastic and enough personality to stop getting dressed feeling like a uniform.
What will you always find in your wardrobe?
Something slightly ridiculous. I'm a big believer in having a well edited wardrobe, the building blocks to any outfit - great tailoring, good knitwear, the perfect jeans - but every wardrobe needs something that makes you smile.
Where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere and anywhere. Fashion exhibitions, old photographs, architecture, interiors, travel, people on the street. I'm interested in how things are put together - colour, proportion, texture, shape - rather than simply what's on the catwalk this season.
Life is better when...
… there's sunshine, somewhere beautiful to swim and nowhere I particularly need to be.
