By As a child, making friends is pretty easy. You share a toy at playtime and instantly you’re best friends. During teenage years, you bond over boys and how to apply make-up. Then adulthood hits and it becomes harder to find, and maintain, those deep connections.
For this pair of friends, it was a mutual love of fashion that first brought them together, but after marriages, relocations, career changes and families, their friendship evolved into one of solid, lasting solidarity.
'It’s our mutual trust and respect that I most cherish,' says Yasmin Sewell of her best friend Tina. Now vice president of style and creative at Farfetch and one of Instagram's 'It' girls, Yasmin counts her lucky stars that she has such a supportive pal to see her through life's ups and downs. 'We’ve known each other since the early ’90s so we’ve seen each other through a lot.'
To take a closer at look at what makes Yasmin and Tina’s friendship tick, we chatted to them about where it all began while styling them in Mango’s Autumn Winter 2018 collection for our exclusive shoot.
Considering the duo’s love of clothes, Mango was the perfect partner. You may have already seen the brand’s latest campaign; it celebrates togetherness with an array of stylish mates showcasing gorgeous chunky knits, faded pastels and offbeat two-piece suits.
Here, Yasmin and Tina bring the pieces to life as they describe the story of their enduring friendship...
So first things first: how did you meet?
Yasmin: It was actually Alexander McQueen who brought us together. It was 1998; Tina was working with his design team and I was friends with his PR. We bonded over the '90s fashion scene, but didn't get to know each other at the time.
Tina: Our paths crossed again when, coincidentally, we both moved back to Australia at the same time. When eventually I returned to London to buy my first house, who was living one street away? Yasmin! It was incredible timing and entirely unplanned.
Yasmin: It's crazy to look back on now, especially as we became mothers at the same time too. We're both Australian so were living in a foreign country without any family around so we became each other’s family.
It’s great to see that as well as a shared love for clothes, you have a huge amount of fun together.
Tina: Oh yeah, we have a lot of fun. Some of my favourite times are lying on Yasmin’s bed and talking through outfits, discussing silhouettes and fit. And we like to watch films then dissect the costumes.
Speaking of which, it must be handy, Yasmin, to be friends with a costume designer?
Yasmin: Absolutely! Tina's made me some amazing pieces. This is the woman who handmade Lee McQueen’s gowns so you can imagine what she can do for me.
Has she rustled something up in time for fashion week?
Yasmin: Not yet, we need a serious planning session before I go! Usually, I grab lots of pieces and hope they work together in some way. It’s important to feel confident because of the pressure of street style photographers. Although I rarely follow the rules.
So you're not a trends-follower?
Yasmin: Honestly, I have no idea if I’m channelling prairie chic or not! I tend to fall in love with great items, whether it’s a dress or a jacket, then work an outfit around it. I’m lucky that my job gives me access to incredible pieces, but wearing head-to-toe designer is not my thing. It’s all about mixing it up. Like, this pair of snakeskin boots from Mango. I can’t wait to wear them with a black slip dress and a choker.
Mango really are nailing it right now...
Yasmin: Totally, they do fashion in such an accessible way. Their earrings are amazing and they do great blazers. I love the shirts for throwing on and wearing with everything.
Do you wear a lot of high-street in the office?
Yasmin: I do. I’m really into mannish tailoring and oversized shirts - it feels cooler to me than wearing structured feminine suiting, which can look outdated. Mango's loose-fitting blazers and wide trousers in masculine fabrics like checks and plaids are so relevant right now. I add a pair of statement earrings to bring some softness to my look.
Do you ever veer away from that boyish vibe?
Yasmin: Oh yeah, I love to go girly in the evening with full-on gowns. Tina’s seen me in many baby pink tutus!
Aside from seeing each other through many outfits, what's your secret to everlasting friendship?
Tina: We have a joint passion for style, but ultimately, we support each other, from work to family life.
Yasmin: I can be a total mess, vent to Tina for hours and know she’s going to listen to me. That’s the key to our friendship: women supporting women. Let's do more of that.
Get together with Mango - shop the new collection here
