Fashion editor, broadcaster and journalist Sasha Wilkins started her career as a glorified coffee fetcher/second assistant at British Conde Nast, before going on to work as a senior magazine editor on both sides of the Atlantic, (most recently at The Wall Street Journal), and has written for publications including The Sunday Times, Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. She is best known however for her award-winning lifestyle social media platform, LibertyLondonGirl, which reaches over half a million people in 138 countries each month. She won Blogger of the Year at Red’s Women of the Year awards, and appears regularly on lots of (spurious) Best of lists.
When were you happiest?
I moved to Leighton Road, Kentish Town in 1996 and rented what was a greenhouse for £55 a week. Every time it rained, water leaked in. But I’d just got my first job as editorial assistant on Conde Nast Traveller magazine, so I was happy. We’d go to the Assembly House for drinks, and hold huge dinner parties for 20 in the basement of the house.
Where would you like to live?
Where I live now: Parkway. My sister’s off Queen’s Crescent so I’m always up that way too. I tried but hated Notting hill once. I’m in love with Parkway as it feels like the East Village in New York, where I hung out for years working as style editor on the Wall Street Journal magazine. Right in the heart of it.
What is your favourite sound or smell?
The smell of pizza coming up through extractor fans; and the sound of the Primary school I overlook – I work from home and it’s nice to hear kids singing nursery rhymes across the yard.
The blog for sure. Building it up to a six figure media business.
What is your most important life lesson?
Learning to say no. I used to be a craven people pleaser.
What makes you unhappy?
The rubbish collection problem on Parkway. Oh, and the traffic calming too.
What simple thing would improve your quality of life?
See above.
What is your most unappealing habit?
Shockingly messy. My PA tweets me to say how tidy the office is when I’m abroad.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Cafe Chula in Camden Lock Market. Love the guacamole there. It’s often way too noisy but it’s the only Mexican nearby and I get cravings after living in New York for so long.
Where do you hang out?
Yum Chaa, for green jasmine tea and brownies.
What’s your best experience in NW5?
My 10 years in Gospel Oak, on the Ludham estate right next to the Heath, perfect for walkies with my little hound, Posetta Baddog.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I was spending too much time in restaurants so had to lose weight before Xmas by cycling in Regent’s park.
Always here.
Tell us a secret.
I have a new tattoo – my first – of a grayscale rose. It’s by Mark Mahoney in LA, who I think was doing the boys from One Direction straight afterwards!
What is your favourite dish and why?
Deep fried tofu at Viet Anh. I cook Chinese food regularly, and am actually writing a cook book now.
What was your best gig?
My friend Julian used to play with his band Magic House at the Bull & Gate in the early 2000s. That and his gigs at the Barfly.
What is your most overused phrase?
‘Let’s manage people’s expectations’.
If you were a animal what would you be?
Sausage dog, given how much I’m obsessed with Posetta Baddog, and the amount of attention I lavish on her.
Interview: Stephen Emms
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4 thoughts on “Ich Bin Kentishtowner: Sasha Wilkins, Liberty London Girl”
Oh God. With every new addition to this feature the Kentishtowner slides further up its own arse.
Happy New Year to you too, Ben! Why don’t you contribute an idea then? After all, that’s what this section (and indeed the site itself) is about. Email us at the address above – dare ya.
Kissees to your newspaper, I lived in Hampstead,and I will always love the Heath!loved the interview within Sasha Wilkins too, thanks!
Thank you for the interview. I follow Sasha’s blog and love how refreshingly honest she is.