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Racked got a backstage look at Rent the Runway's photo shoot at the new British boite, Desmond's, in New York's Upper East Side. We chatted with one of our favorite Brits, stylist and woman-about-town, Lucy Sykes. Check out our behind-the-scenes sneak peek in the gallery above.
Racked: How did you come to collaborate with Rent the Runway?
Sykes: A friend of mine connected me with Rent the Runway. I met with them and thought, "Oh my God. I'm in Legally Blonde." Everyone was from Harvard. They've all got dresses on like this and shoes like this. The warehouse is all on computers and I so respect technology. What was encouraging for me was that they respected my wealth of experience. It's been a really fun job.
Racked: What other projects have you been working on?
Lucy Sykes: I have been working on a new blog that's not out yet. It's about mommies, fashion, glamour, culture, and reality. That's all I can say, but it's really exciting. I'm also the Mom Shops editor of ThisNext. It's a beautiful site. The stylist, Mary Alice Haney, is the Editor in Chief. Lulu de Kwiatkowski [of Lulu DK] and Minnie Mortimer are all editors on it.
I find that a lot of what's online isn't well-edited sometimes, but this is fantastic. I did an office chic story and paired Jason Wu with Repetto by John Derian flats. I just came off of a two-year contract with Judith Leiber shooting as much as I can with them. I'm starting to do personal appearances, which is totally bizarre and weird, but since the whole blogging/Facebook thing, I'm now being asked to do these. (Richard O'Hagan stops by to say hello.) He's the owner of Desmond's and very dishy. I'm also a mom of two kids. That's a big part of my life.
Racked: Tell us about this shoot.
Sykes: The shoot is about celebrating date night, girls night out, and special occasions. You know, what you really do when you rent one of these dresses. We are shooting these girls who are beautiful, excited, party girls that are also smart and clever.
The Rent the Runway girl wants to own Jason Wu, but she can't afford it and neither can I, but I want to. I think it's a genius, genius business. And I'm like wow, well done. It's a pleasure to be involved.
Racked: And the location?
Sykes: For me Desmond's was the perfect place to shoot because it just opened. It's totally hot and totally chic. This building is to-die-for beautiful. It's the perfect combination. And, well, Richard [the owner] is so dishy, but I'm married.
When I came here there was this devastating guy that came to the table and I said, "I really recognize you," and he said, "I really recognize you too." He had a drink with us and chatted for a bit. When he left I asked my friends who that was and they said Guy Pelly, Prince William's best friend. He was in the wedding and the whole thing.
So this place is a little bit of home and it's nice to see new generation of English people coming through. Essentially, the girl who would wear that dress from Rent the Runway would come here. She'd look totally glamorous and fabulous.
Racked: Tell us about some of the designers you are using today.
Sykes: Versus, Mark + James by Badgley Mischka, Yigal Azrouel, Vera Wang, Adam, Thakoon. We have the most incredible dresses. It's absolutely amazing. The accessories and jewelry are fabulous.
Racked: Everything from head to toe is from Rent the Runway?
Sykes: Yes, everything. Here's a Dannijo necklace. Even the clutches are Judith Leiber and Lauren Merkin.
· Rent the Runway [Official Site]