JANUARY 2025
5 MICRONS
WITH EMILY FITCH MILLER
ONE
WHO IS EMILY FITCH MILLER
I am a mother, freelance Fashion and Creative Art Director and Content Creator based in London where I live with my husband and two teenage sons. My career has spanned over 35 years in the fashion industry working as a Fashion Editor, Stylist, Art Director, Brand Director, and Fashion Consultant. I began my career in the exciting world of fashion magazines working at Cosmopolitan and GQ magazine as a Fashion Editor and then after 5 years went on to forge a successful career as a freelance Stylist and Art Director in New York working for many of the major American retail brands, such as J Crew, Gap, Banana Republic, Revlon, Bloomingdales, and Macy's whilst also
styling celebrities and editorial magazine shoots. For the last 12 years I have worked as a Creative Art Director overseeing and executing creative photo shots that define and grow fashion
and beauty brands and since 2021 as a content creator showcasing a timeless wardrobe from slow, responsible fashion brands that align with my values.
TWO
You have worked for Conde Nast as a fashion editor, talk to us about this role and who was your favourite celeb you worked with?
My very first job was at Cosmopolitan magazine aged 19 and it was there I got the opportunity to work at Condé Nast with the fashion director who was taking on the role for the launch of GQ magazine. I was his fashion assistant and worked on all his photo shoots and then became Fashion editor, styling and shooting my own pages for the magazine including covers, and all the female celebrities and models we featured. I absolutely loved being on set on photo shoots and the creative process of shoot planning for the season following on from the seasonal runway shows ( which I would attend in London, Paris, Milan and New York) Over the years I styled a lot of celebrities including supermodels like Heidi Klum, Helena Christensen and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and really gorgeous, talented women like Belinda Carlisle (who became a good friend) but going back to the those GQ days, 2 celebrities stand out, Michael Caine and Barry Humphries. Both were the epitome
of charm in a very gentlemanly way, warm and witty who shared wonderful stories of their amazing lives and careers. I think Michael Caine is the only person I have ever felt star struck with on hearing his legendary voice and accent!
THREE
How would you describe your personal style, and how does wool fit into your everyday wardrobe?
My style is quite classic and timeless, always elegant I think with a feminine signature and nod to modern trends. Knitwear is a signature for me, I love mixing textures and always have that in mind when dressing so the contrast of a knitted piece with fabrics like linens, silks and cottons is a go to in my wardrobe.
FOUR
Can you walk us through your creative process from initial concept to final execution when you're working in a creative direction role for a fashion brand?
Firstly I will meet with the brand to discuss and deep dive into their brand handwriting and brand USP. I see my role as guiding and bringing to life the brand visually for a customer to connect with and therefore buy in to, both emotionally and physically. For me it’s key to always make visuals aspirational through the location/setting, casting and styling to draw people in whilst story telling through the photography. I will create visual concept mood boards to show the client and for the creative team we bring on to the project to reference. For me it’s really important to assemble a cast of creatives in terms of photographer/ model/make up and hair teams that are creatively right for that brand and will understand it in order to create the magic together on the shoot days. I oversee the casting too and direct the hair, make up and styling team on the day to and work with the photographer on creating a cohesive collection of shots that show the product in it’s best light whilst also being aspirational images. Depending on the client I can also be involved in post production and editing shots and layouts.
FIVE
What has been the most inspiring aspect of your journey in the fashion industry?
Fashion is an important industry economically, worth 2 trillion globally and £30 billion annually in the UK and can be a force for good. I take great pride in being able to work with many female founded and led brands and creatives who are committed to making fashion differently - in a better more sustainable way. Whilst my job is not saving lives and you can have a wonderful life whether you are well dressed and stylish or not, clothes can make you feel the best version of yourself and that is a powerful tool to have to navigate life and project. Seeing clients joyful faces at how good they can look is a gift every time.
EIGHT
QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS
What are you currently reading ? Tell me Everything by Elizabeth Strout, I just love her writing and observations on human relationships. I tend to have a few fiction and non fiction books on the go so am also dipping in to Mary Beard’s Women in Power and Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett the British Entrepreneur
What are you binging on TV? don’t watch lots of TV and if I do watch it I prefer it to be escapist, heart-warming or funny.. so I enjoyed the new series of Emily in Paris (Paris is my favourite city so love seeing it) I’m also watching catch ups of The Great British Bake Off and started the Perfect Couple.
What Podcasts are in your ears? I have to confess to not listening to podcasts so much currently.. I do like them as audio listening whilst doing something else. Listening to wise, generous people like Michelle Obama but I actually prefer listening to an audio book
Favourite flowers? Roses or hydrangeas in the summer
Favourite scent? Fracas by Robert Piguet
Best piece of advice you’ve received? My best sage life advice always came from my late Father - Be nice to people on your way up as you never know who you’ll meet on the way down and also to always be interested in life and people.
Best time management hack? I wish I had some as there are never hours in the day! but I think the only way to get things done is to wake up early!
Your first fashion moment? Fashion has always been my thing but I think a real moment was being taken shopping by my mother when I was about 11 or 12 and seeing a black dress I loved and she let me buy it and it felt like coming home..this was a colour I felt truly good and comfortable in I felt me! rather than being dressed in brights, florals or pinks. It is a sophisticated, universally flattering colour for anyone
Fave piece from our collection? I have really fallen for the Nerida sweater and it’s versatility to be styled and worn in either a sporty casual way or a more
elevated fashion look
Favourite Fashion Brands? I don’t have the budget or appetite to shop at larger high end brands anymore and now wear a lot of smaller, independent and ethical and responsible fashion brands that align with my values, such as Tallulah and Hope, Aligne, House of Disgrace, Anna Mason, Thread the Spool and responsible high street brands creating
timeless pieces such as Jigsaw, Hobbs and Fatface.
Dream Purchase? A holiday home by the coast or an apartment in Paris!
Summer or Winter? Summer weather but Winter fashion!
Do you have a superpower? Oh gosh..I think being lucky enough to become a Mother and my love for my sons gave me superpowers my love for them is deep and powerful and I would do anything for them! I did actually ask one of my sons if he thought I had super
powers and he said Yes! You are the G.O.A.T ( greatest of all time) ! That made me very happy !
