We sit down with the incredible Ebony-Renee Baker who currently works in fashion media and is @Refinery29 UK’s fashion editor.
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What is one piece of advice you’d give a woman wanting to get into your industry?
Don’t go into this industry based on the idea of it — you know, how it looks on the outside looking in. If you scan through my personal Instagram page (or that of most fashion editors) it might seem like all I do is get loads of free stuff and go to fancy parties and press trips. I am grateful to have a job with perks like this, but for a long time I thought that these perks — and this recognition — were going to make me happy. I was mistaken. The fact is, you will not be happy in any job if you’re not consistently taking downtime away from your desk, work events, and your social media account. Creative jobs like this take a lot out of you, and working as a fashion editor can mean lots of writing and editing, on top of all the other additional stuff. My advice is to go into this industry if you’re willing to constantly adapt, constantly create, and are prepared for the general uncertainty of the media industry.
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What’s a key learning you’ve experienced that you feel someone could benefit from?
Gratitude has changed my outlook on life and helps me get through every single day — no matter how much stress, insecurity or fear I might have in work or my personal life. Funnily enough, the word “gratitude” was my first ever tattoo at 21 years old but it wasn’t until now (my late 20s) that I finally understood what gratitude truly means. Gratitude is a kind of energy. It’s a life force. It’s not just saying, “I’m grateful to have a house,” or “I’m grateful to have a job.” Gratitude is about being aware of your tiny place in this unimaginably large universe, and then being able to put most of your problems into that perspective. It’s about coming back to an abundance mindset — rather than believing that you always need more, more, more.
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What is one piece that every woman should have in her wardrobe?
A really good, quality t-shirt. No matter what your style is, a t-shirt goes with everything, whether you prefer something that’s more fitted, oversized or cropped. I used to buy cheap ones that lost their shape over time, but because t-shirts are so simple, it’s obvious when one doesn’t fit properly. I like my tees fitted and a little cropped, and I pair them with everything from midi skirts and baggy jeans, to cargo trousers and yoga pants. I also love to accessorise with jewellery, so a simple tee is the perfect backdrop. They’re also a great travel companion as they’re comfy and take up little space in your suitcase.
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What makes you feel confident?
Being myself. For me, that means wearing outfits because I love them, not because I want to impress or please anyone else. It means being honest to myself and others, and leading with compassion for both (which includes admitting when I’m wrong). It means living unapologetically and always striving to be the best version of me.
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What is your favourite Ruey piece?
The One Shoulder Tee. I’m a big fan of shoulder-baring silhouettes, especially since I recently got a new tattoo across my shoulder and arm, and I love to show it off. What I like most about this top is its material: I can feel the quality of the fabric and I trust it to keep its shape, while helping to hold mine, too. It’s one of those wardrobe staples that I’m sure I’ll have for years and years. Quality over quantity, always.
Shop our sculpting One Shoulder Tee here and make sure to follow Ebony's Instagram here!
