On behalf of Voice of London, myself and colleague Jessica Penfold were invited to spend the evening alongside Jo Elvin and River Island Style Studios for their last #AnEveningWith of the year.
Reporter: Grace Brown | Sub editor: Jessica Penfold
The event hosted at River Islandâs flagship store on Oxford Street saw stylists, students and River Island personal shoppers gain an insight as to how and when Jo started her career in the industry, how her life with fashion has developed since starting her first job, and her infamous #clothesmyhusbandhates hash tag. Previous sessions of An Evening With have welcomed filmmaker Naomi Shimada, and bloggers We Are Twinset.
Jo, as ever, was on top form continually amusing guests with anecdotes from her life and told us she knew it was the right decision to move to London from her hometown Sydney, Australia saying, âIf you grow up loving the media, London is such a pull and it was always that way for meâ, before revealing she became a journalist because: âI wanted to meet pop starsâ.
The now editor in chief worked on several different magazines in various positions, working her way up the ladder before landing her dream job at Glamour. After receiving a phone call from her boss 16 years ago explaining a British version of Glamour was launching Elvin said: âI kind of threw myself at his ankles and didnât let go until he told me I had the jobâ.
âAmerican glamour was my favourite, favourite, favourite, thing in the world so that was kind of like a dream come trueâ, she continues. That was 16 years ago and she admits, âI always do say to people Iâm slightly embarrassed Iâm not bored of being the editor of Glamour, it just gives so much, it gives me so many opportunitiesâ.
On the subject of fashion, she lets on that she hasnât always been as fashionable as she may be now. It is since working in magazines that she was put on the right path and given a style trajectory thatâs got her to where she is now. Addressing the crowd about the commerce in the UK today, Elvin explains, âFashion is democratic, eclectic and inclusive, one of the things that I love about Britain over Australia, anybody can find what they like wearing and what their style is and work the trends in between that and I really find that quite liberating. This city is about âyou wear what you want to wearâ and you wear it the way you want to wear itâ. Which is how the âclothes my husband hatesâ hash tag began.
The hash tag is seen almost daily on her Instagram where her husband ridicules her outfit choices in one-way or another. Jo chose this opportunity to raid the rails at River Island to find clothes she adores but husband Ross will loathe. Here are a few of Joâs choices that she believes her husband will hate for her to wear.
Black ruffle trousers and matching top:

The black side ruffle trouser, and matching top ensemble, trousers ÂŁ40 and top ÂŁ28
The âsillyâ trouser and top ensemble is a strong example of the ruffle trend thatâs made it through the last few seasons. For a simple daytime look Jo recommends a t-shirt and trainers for the day and with the matching top for the evening and a pair of heels.
River Islandâs Alannah jeans:

River Island Alannah jeans, ÂŁ42
These jeans have a dog-chewed appearance to them. The trend, which has remained a constant for the past year, doesnât seem to be disappearing any time soon. Her husband claims that sheâs too old to wear ripped jeans.
The coat of dreams! The Pink tied duster coat:

Jo in awe of this beautiful coat. ÂŁ115 in River Island
The coat has a big dressing gown feel to it and features some of this seasons hottest colours, grey and pastel pink. Jo sayâs the coat is: âso pretty, Iâve become absolutely maniacally obsessed with pink. There was a time when you felt a bit frivolous and Barbie to wear pink. You could wear a bin bag under that and youâre dressed. Itâs a statement coat. Such a brilliant investment buy, youâd be amazed with all the colours you can wear with this.â Denim, black and khaki are all colours she recommends. Despite the coats loud qualities, it may not be something that her husband hates.
High-waisted pants with a gold pinstripe:

River Island gold stripe trouser, ÂŁ45
âThey are everything I love, comfortable with an elasticated waist. Theyâd look great with a flat heel, a trainer, a blazer for the evening. I just think absolutely the dream trouserâ. The perfect trouser to wear when you invite your friends round for a big dinner Jo insists.
Pink sequin badge jumper:

River Island’s novelty yet fashionable jumper, ÂŁ40
âNodding to the novelty trend starting with Anya Hindmarch. How could you not like this? He would probably say to me he assumes Iâve got it out of my 11 year old daughters closetâ. This jumper is perfect to wear around the office Jo claims, if you’re working somewhere a little more conservative she suggests wearing under a blazer. The perfect jumper to make yourself and everyone around you smile.
Elvin reviewed a few more products from the range including the ever-popular daytime pyjama range; declaring whoever made it acceptable deserves some kind of humanitarian award. The style, which weâve seen on the streets for the past couple of months, doesnât appear to be disappearing from the trends, just as ripped/distressed jeans have held their position. Many of the products Jo picked and reviewed are available from River Island’s limited edition range currently available in-store and online.