Cape Town based, Gill Bowen is a fashion buyer, blogger and fast becoming one of our favourite fundis. We spent some time with Gill getting to know her a little better.

Tell us about your work at Foschini?
Work at Foschini is amazing, I am so lucky to have the job I have and the opportunities ahead for me now seem endless, I wake up every day excited to get to work. I love the people I work with and think it’s so important to, as you spend more time at work than you do at home. At the moment I have a lot to learn and am very eager to learn as much as I can!

What do you love about fashion buying?
The one thing I love the most is how creative you get to be. I have been placed into knitwear which happens to be a very specialized buying role.I feel very fortunate as I am training under a knitwear expert who is so talented and good at what she does, and is someone who believes in keeping things made locally! It’s really nice to see how she personally is keeping knitwear factories in South Africa alive and it definitely inspires me to do the same.

Who is your most stylish celebrity?
I have to say Alexa Chung or Blake Lively.

Red or white?
If I had to pick it would be White! I love wearing white in summer, it always feels feminine. Definitely a colour girl though. And don’t own any black items- never ever wear it!

Pumps or wedges?
I’d have to say pumps. I do love wedges, and they are so pretty & sweet- but a pair of pumps are so versatile and easy to wear with anything!

What are your fashion tips for summer 2011?
Bright and bold. Colour is key this summer, shop for bright colours and bold prints, and don’t be scared to wear it all together. And wear it with absolute confidence!

Best in Cape Town for:
Cappuccino: Caffeen in Harfield Village!
Breakfast: Miss K in Green Point, their eggs Benedict is the BEST!
Dinner: The Grand in Granger Bay!!! Bardellis for pizza, and Hudsons in Kloof for a burger J
Clothes: I buy most of my clothes overseas, otherwise online at Asos.com or Topshop, and my best store in Cape Town is Wardrobe!
Cup cakes: Have to be from Mmmm close to Wembley Square- made to order.
Shoes: Aldo
Saturday night: Dinner with friends and my BF, or cocktails out! Also a HUGE fan of Forries pub!

Bags or shoes?

DEFINITELY shoes!! 

Top 3 brands you love and why?
VIDA E Caffe- Love the vibe and love the coffee & think it is such an awesome brand!
Chanel- I love the brand and its history and everything it stands for.
Zara- More than the clothing, I love the company and how they have revolutionized the way to run a retail business, it inspires me.

Favourite quote?
"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” ― Coco Chanel

Favourite local designer?
Up & coming friend, Shana Morland… her Mom is Stephanie Morland. I think she has so much talent, and I often get her to make some things up for me.

What’s the most expensive thing in your wardrobe?
Hopefully my dad doesn’t read this… lol… a leather jacket I paid R4000.00 for from Country Road, and a pair of Diesel jeans that cost the same.

Favourite movie
Pearl Harbour

Favourite actor and actress
Love Rachel McAdams, and actor would have to say Jeremy Piven (Ari Gold from Entourage). OOH OOH and I am obsessed with Chuck Bass… the character only (definitely my dream boy).

Your best quality?
Determined and driven!

To blog or not to blog?
Definitely to blog… it’s such a fun way of expressing whatever my thoughts are for the day and being creative. I designed my entire blog on paint, hehe.

A place you would love to travel to and why?
Dying to go to Croatia, have never been and I think I would absolutely love it!

Hip hop or soul?
Hmm, can I have them mixed?

Tell us something we don’t know about you?
I have an addiction to Jelly Beans- I eat on average two bags a week! Eek!! and I have eyelashes longer than a camels!

Superwoman or cat woman?
Definitely Superwoman!

Favourite food?
Pizza!

To view Gill's blog posts on neofundi click here