Susie Allen, curator
The look: This lavender kimono raincoat is from NU and my glasses are from Auerbach & Steele. I’m quite large, which can be difficult, but I always try to be different and take inspiration from myself. The shoes I purchased on the internet with the sole purpose of matching my orange hair. I’ve dyed it every single colour under the sun; it’s something that makes people smile and I really enjoy that. The art: I’m a big admirer of Tracey Emin. She has a show at White Cube that is unbelievable and now to be showing here at Frieze, too. She’s quite an extraordinary woman.
Photograph: Sam Deaman/The Observer
Victor Sonna, artist
The look: I made this ruffled shirt when I was a student. I often alter or manipulate the clothes I wear to make them unique. I created these pants by sewing two different pairs of trousers together – it really enhances the shape of the leg. I wear these Balenciaga Bouncer trainers when I have a lot of walking to do. The art: I create a lot of activism-based art inspired by my African roots, so I was curious to come to Frieze to see if I would fit in here as an artist. There seems to be a great diversity here, so the fear of not fitting in has definitely been eliminated.
Photograph: Sam Deaman/The Observer
Pearl de Luna, artist and musician
The look: The studded leather jacket is my dad’s from the 80s. He was in a punk band called Basement 5. The trousers are from the Santee Alley in LA and the bag is from a little independent shop I stumbled upon in the south of France. The boots were given to me by mum. She bought them in San Francisco before I was born. The art: I’ve recently exhibited a collection of my own oil-based work in London, so I thought it would be both inspiring and interesting to see how contemporary art was being displayed here at Frieze.
Photograph: Sam Deaman/The Observer
Charles Ritterband, opera critic
The look: This Bogner coat was my mother’s. She trained as a nurse in Scotland during the second world war. I like to wear things owned by people who were close to me; they will always carry the touch and atmosphere of the previous owner. Everything else has been collected over the years: the scarf is from London, the cravat from Thailand and the shoes from Vienna. The art: I see this as an opportunity to advance my knowledge of contemporary art. I spend most of my time in Vienna, which can be very traditional. I can’t wait to see the dancing penguins!
Photograph: Sam Deaman/The Observer
Blue Gaydon, brand consultant
The look: I consult for Sarabande, a foundation set up by Lee Alexander McQueen to support up-and-coming creative talent. I borrowed this woven leather coat from one of my favourite Sarabande designers, Martina Spetlova. I purchased these Marks & Spencer boots on Vinted – they are the comfiest things in the world and have done countless festivals with me. My bag is Loewe and the trousers are very old Zara. The art: I have been blown away by Pace Gallery’s curation at Frieze this year, particularly the way they have incorporated sculpture.
Photograph: Sam Deaman/The Observer
Benaiah Matheson, artist
The look: I am a collector of rare military garments and workwear, so today I’m wearing full Swedish military. The bag is CP Company, the earrings are Hayley Grafflin and my hat is a sample from my sister Makeda Matheson’s cashmere knitwear collection. Barefoot philosophy is something that strikes a chord with me, so I’m wearing these Vivobarefoot suede shoes. The art: I’ve come down from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire to see what work I connect with and to have interesting conversations with other creative individuals.
Photograph: Sam Deaman/The Observer
Ziona Strelitz, design anthropologist
The look: I hate matchy-matchy when it comes to dressing. I have always loved putting outfits together as if they are a work of visual coordination, combining different fabrics, colours and weights of textile. The only new item I’m wearing today is this Essentiel Antwerp dress; everything else I have collected over time. The glasses are from Florida, the bag is from South Africa and my bracelet is from Milan. The art: I have had a lifelong interest in visual arts. This is my second time here this week. It feels like a really strong year for Frieze London.
Photograph: Sam Deaman/The Observer
Weiyuan Liu, studentThe look:
I love to wear and introduce people in London to my favourite Chinese brands. My cropped jeans, which are covered in tiny anime stickers, are from the Chinese brand Songaadon. The shirt is from a brand called Danshan and my shoes are from Loewe’s fall 2022 ready-to-wear collection. The trench coat is Burberry – I purchased it secondhand in a vintage shop. The art: I am studying fine art at Goldsmiths, University of London. We’ve come here today on a group activity to seek inspiration and see how art is most successfully displayed in a fair environment.
Photograph: Sam Deaman/The Observer
Na Chainkua Reindorf, artist
The look: The cardigan is Dries Van Noten and my pants are Issey Miyake. These are two of my favourite brands, because I am drawn to designers whose pieces are sculptural in shape, diverse in texture and bright in colour. My necklace is from eBay, the patent bag is MM6 Maison Margiela and my sneakers are Salomon. The art: I am really excited to see the work of Nigeria-born Nengi Omuku. She was nominated by Yinka Shonibare for Artist-to-Artist 2024 and is showing three paintings here.
Photograph: Sam Deaman/The Observer
Luke Griffiths, art director and designer The look:
This necklace is by Julia Tyrrell Bunge. She makes jewellery out of car parts and found objects along the Thames, which are cast into these insane living mechanical jewellery pieces. I am wearing a Maison Margiela jacket, Needles trousers and GmbH boots. This Comme des Garçons shirt is from my friend’s store in London called Twos. The art: One of my favourite artists always exhibits here with Project Native Informant: Sean Steadman. Their work incorporates what I like most about painting, both historically and today.
Photograph: Sam Deaman/The Observer
Laura Hudson, fine art and film curator
The look: The white scarf is from a local garden centre in Jersey – we’ve travelled up from the Channel Islands this morning to visit Frieze. The boots are Blundstone, my glasses are Prada and the skirt I found on eBay. My partner bought me this Nicole Farhi bag over 30 years ago. The art: Our gallery is based in Jersey, so it’s important for us to come to Frieze to see what other galleries are up to. I’m always excited to see the work of Rose Wylie. Whatever she does, I just love seeing it.
Photograph: Sam Deaman/The Observer
Adalberto Lonardi, artist and creative director
The look: I designed this jacket with a fabricator called Contrado. You select and design the colours and shapes yourself and Contrado brings them to life. The wool skirt I had made for a wedding by my friend, the designer Timothy Wang, and now I can’t stop wearing it. The boots are Dr Martens and the glasses are Ray-Ban. The art: In my own practice I create murals and large-scale pieces with a focus on working with local groups, children and refugees. It’s interesting to come here to see how others are working to empower local communities.
Photograph: Sam Deaman/The Observer
English (US)