AGELESS STYLE
A Styling Journey with Hannah from Graham St.
I've been following Graham St. since its early days, and I had the great pleasure of having some of my pieces beautifully styled by Hannah and her mum, Sue. Alex Mooney’s photography is pure visual poetry, and the combination of these three talents has made Graham St. a successful platform followed by women of all ages.
I've always been fascinated by the concept of ageless style and Hannah's philosophy of "it's not so much about what you wear, as how you wear it" has really resonated with me. This idea is especially true for accessories, which is why styling is so crucial when it comes to jewellery.
I asked Hannah to share her insights with me, and we ended up with this spontaneous, tip-filled interview. Enjoy the read!
Sue is wearing the Baroque Pearl Earrings. Images: Alex Mooney
COULD YOU SHARE A BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AS A STYLIST AND THE IDEA BEHIND GRAHAM ST.?
I've been immersed in the fashion industry for more than 17 years. I began my journey in fashion magazines but over the years progressed from there into celebrity styling. During this period I spent a significant amount of my time visiting retailers from the high end to the high street.
It became very apparent to me that there was a significant gap in the market. I was witnessing women right into their 60’s and 70’s owning their style and looking incredible but this was not being reflected back to me by the retailers themselves. It was as if women over 35 suddenly disappeared!
This realisation was particularly influenced by the experiences and needs of my mum and her friends. They wanted to remain stylish but didn’t know where to begin looking.
Fashion is aspirational; it’s a powerful tool that helps you feel good about yourself and keeps you feeling youthful and relevant, creative and curious. That's how the idea for Graham St. was born, providing fashion inspiration for women of all ages.
Sue is wearing the Swirl Earrings. Images: Alex Mooney
HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT CHOOSING AND STYLING JEWELLERY TO COMPLEMENT YOUR WARDROBE OR A LOOK?
When it comes to jewellery, the key is balance. If you have a statement piece, you can style your outfit around it by keeping the rest of your look simple. Conversely, if you have a fabulous outfit, jewellery can be the perfect finishing touch. Never underestimate the power of great jewellery!
For a natural, understated style, I recommend keeping jewellery simple and elegant. A beautiful necklace or a pair of earrings can frame the face and highlight your features, especially when the colour of the metal or stones complement your skin tone. Always give jewellery careful consideration, it can truly elevate your look.
Sue is wearing the Chunky Woven Hoops. Images: Alex Mooney
DO YOU FOLLOW ANY RULES OR GUIDELINES WHEN LAYERING JEWELLERY OR MIXING METALS?
The key to great fashion, including jewellery, is to avoid anything that feels contrived. I believe gold and silver look incredibly chic together, and I love mixing them.
When layering jewellery, consider the weight of each piece. For example, if you're wearing a chunky chain necklace, balance it with simpler, lighter pieces.
A heavy, statement piece can overwhelm fine, delicate jewellery, so it's important to create a gradient of weights and sizes.
Coco Chanel famously said, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory.” I tend to follow a minimalist rather than a maximalist approach and embrace her advice fully. However, rules are meant to be broken, and the key is to always experiment with your pieces.
A statement earring with a simple outfit can be incredibly chic. Sue has had these gold earrings since the late '80s and wore them to a wedding in Paris. She bought them on the advice of an editor from Vogue. When asked what Sue should be wearing, the editor replied, “BIG earrings,” and that is exactly what she did. Over 30 years later, we styled those same earrings for Graham St with a simple outfit in autumnal tones.
Incorporating vintage pieces into a modern look is the ultimate chic in styling.
Sue wears her own vintage Big Earrings. Images: Alex Mooney
Hannah wears a Molten Initial Pendant. Images: Alex Mooney
Hannah wears the Stone Ring and Woven Ring. Images: Alex Mooney
ARE THERE SPECIFIC STAPLE PIECES OF JEWELLERY YOU THINK EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE?
Sentimental jewellery is always lovely to have. Linking a piece to significant moments in your life, like a memorable holiday, the birth of a child, or a special person, is what makes it truly special to me. These pieces bring joy and sometimes serve as lucky charms during important events like exams, travels, or job interviews.
If you own old jewellery or family heirlooms that are tucked away in a jewellery box because they don’t match your taste, consider refashioning them into something contemporary. Choose a maker who offers this service and ask them to create something bespoke for you! (Sara from Nodo offers this service—just consult her bespoke page and get in touch!)
Jewellery is a personal and powerful accessory. It’s not just about looking good, but also about feeling good and expressing who you are. At Graham St, we celebrate this personal connection to fashion and strive to inspire women to feel confident and stylish at any age.
Sue wears the Organic Chain Bracelet. Images: Alex Mooney
Hanna wears the Organic Stacking Rings. Images: Alex Mooney
Follow Graham St. on Instagram @grahamst.fashion
Follow Alex Mooney @lal.moons