In case you didn’t know, we turn 30 this Autumn. We celebrated in style (of course!) with the launch of our RI30 birthday collection and a shoot with the Lewis family, our competition winners, staff members and some friends of the brand.
We caught up with Style Editor, Matt Hambly, Fabulous Magazine, Shopping Editor, Nana Acheampong, Amali, Hannah and Shay from our River Island stores and Kathleen, one of our much-loved models…
How would you describe River Island?
Hannah: It’s bold and quite different to other brands.
Amali: It’s so versatile, we have something for every age.
Nana: Fun, fabulous and exciting.
Kathleen: It’s one big family.
What does River Island mean to you?
Amali: For me, I feel like I’ve grown up while working here, so it’s all about family. It’s helped me develop personality as well whether through clothes, trends or the people I’ve met.
Shay: It’s helped me gain confidence and find my own style.
Nana: It’s one of my staple brands, it’s my go-to for winter coats, going out, bags, accessories. It’s just one of those shops that I can walk in and always walk out with something new.
Matt: I think it’s a mix of dependability and good fun, because I’ve been shopping at River Island for so long, I know I can always find something that I really like, but it’s also fashion forward.
Kathleen: It’s my favourite shop, it’s the first place I ever bought clothes from and I model for them too. I love River Island so much.
Do you have a favourite memory?
Shay: Our White City store opening. Caroline Flack was there and there was loads of fun stuff going on.
Amali: The staff parties are always really fun!
Hannah: My first day actually – we opened the Style Studio in our Liverpool store and it was such an exciting day.
Matt: I wore a River Island shirt when I interviewed David Beckham for the first time, he gave me a bit of a nod as if it say “nice shirt” and I thought, I’ll take that.
What are your favourite past purchases?
Matt: The first shirt that wasn’t bought for me by my Mum – it was a loud, lairy and silky. My style hasn’t changed much really [laughs]
Nana: That’s so hard! Half my wardrobe is River Island [laughs] Anything with sequins is always a winner with me and I have some great winter coats too. Last year I got a bright orange and turquoise ruffled two-piece. It was very Beyoncé!
Kathleen: That’s funny because this is probably my favourite River Island outfit! I love the trousers, the top, the jacket and the shoes. All of it!
If River Island was a song or dance move, what would it be?
Matt: It would be the two-step, because it’s so simple and everyone can do it but it’s just so good and looks a lot of fun.
Nana: It would definitely be a Rihanna song in honour of her collection. Maybe What’s My Name, that has a really fun video.
Hannah: I’m so awful at dancing! It would be have to be something wild though!
Kathleen: It would be The Power Of Love. I sang that on one of the shoots I’ve done with River Island and made my mum cry. I love that song!