IRIS Interviews | Pip Hodgson
Pip Hodgson is the Senior Product Editor at Sheerluxe and one of our ultimate style muses at IRIS. We caught up with her to talk career changes, handbag essentials and the best ways to switch off.
What was your motivation for starting a career in the fashion industry?
I took a less traditional path into the fashion industry. For nearly twenty years, I worked as a chiropractor with a clinic near the Battersea Iris, but I have always nurtured a love for fashion and other creative fields, like interior design. So, when an opportunity at SheerLuxe presented itself, I was attracted by the chance to challenge myself – despite my concerns about entering a digital company with limited tech skills. It was a steep learning curve, but I very quickly felt like I had found my people and have loved every minute, never once looking back.
Can you tell us three things that are always in your handbag?
A YSL lipstick and liner, Vehla aviator sunnies and Bayley & Sage nuts.
Can you run us through a typical workday as senior product editor at SheerLuxe?
No two days are the same! We start the week with the fashion meeting to brainstorm ideas and make sure there aren't any gaps in the calendar. The day for me is mostly filled with curating product from the internet to make content for our daily newsletters. Alongside our main SL fashion articles, I also edit the product and fashion for the Gold and Parenting Editions. We film a lot of social content in and around the office too, and I have been involved in various shoots for brands that we collaborate with.
What do you do to relax?
I think relaxing can take many different forms. Most of the time, having a cheeky bubble or two with friends is the very best tonic, but I also love (and occasionally need) to completely switch off in a bath with plenty of salts, a great podcast and a candle.
What are your three seasonal picks from the IRIS collection?
The Peggy and Parker blue, satin trouser set which will see me through the party season; the versatile and very flattering Sutton tapered trousers to update my work wardrobe; and the Ulla roll neck to keep me cosy as the temperature drops.
What was the last book you read?
I was given The Rachel Incident by a friend late this summer, which I loved as a holiday read. However, despite much preferring to hold a book than to use tech, I am increasingly listening to podcasts and Audible to get my culture fix. I have been known to devour true crime series in record time (thank goodness for the speedy settings!) and I enjoy the various US and UK politics podcasts.
Is your fashion philosophy to splurge on key items each season or embrace all the trends?
Since working at SheerLuxe, I have more time to consider anything I buy, and it has helped to avoid too many mistakes. I try to stick to the best quality I can afford and classic designs that will hopefully stand the test of time. I do think, when it comes to splurging, that a really great bag will elevate the simplest of outfits, but a small sprinkling of less predictable, less expensive and more fashion-led accessories can keep your look relevant.
What is a wellness trick you swear by?
A daily dog walk with my husband is our favourite part of the day. It can be anything you need it to be: a therapy session; a hangover cure; exercise; a logistics meeting; or just a little romantic stroll.
