What to Wear to Work: Liz MacCuish and Jordan Mitchell
Determining what to wear to work is never an easy choice, but it can be even more of a challenge when your job isn’t the typical 9-to-5. In a bid to shake up our own work wardrobes, we sought out the advice of some of the best dressed women working today. Next up are Jordan Mitchell and Liz MacCuish, the founders and driving force behind London-based marketing agency Good Culture, responsible for taking some of the biggest brands, campaigns, and tastemakers in the world out of category and into culture.
As the duo balance a fast-paced schedule, a growing business and being working mums, we asked them what workwear means to them and how their personal styles changes for each of the (very) different roles they play day-to-day.
(Image credit: PHILL TAYLOR)
How did you both meet and how have you found the journey from starting out to launching Good Culture?
LM: I’ve been lucky enough to work with Jordan for around 15 years and our relationship genuinely goes from strength to strength.We set up our agency, Good Culture during the pandemic, and wanted to take the time to really think intentionally about how we could best articulate all of our business services, which went far beyond traditional comms. The landscape had changed, and so had we. It was time to realise our value and represent the breadth of our offering. Good Culture is both a name and a behaviour and it keeps us focused and accountable.
How does what you wear to the office differ from your off-duty and weekend wardrobe?
JM: For me getting dressed is theatre, an opportunity to step into how I want to feel and what energy I want to project, you could probably describe my style as “mob wife”. I tend to always wear heels (I’m currently rotating between my Bottega knee high boots and my Prada platforms), and I love co-ords—I’m currently wearing my Wardrobe NYC denim shirt and midi skirt the most. I also adore The Frankie Shop, and I have the most amazing jumpsuit with padded shoulders that make me feel like a total boss. I’m really getting into ties too, and I have a black Prada tie which I wear with shirts and jeans for a real power up! On the weekends, I’m a lot more low-key, and you can find me in my Barbour waxed jacket with jeans, or my Entire Studios black puffa jacket and alo leggings. When it comes to shoes it’s my acne wedge boots for ease and speed, and if it’s a trainer moment I have my Louis Vuitton sneakers that go with everything.
(Image credit: Phill Taylor)
LM: It’s been a funny few years of mostly WFH and I for one am delighted to be back in our office and out and about at meetings or travelling for the majority of the working week. I recently had a huge wardrobe clear out, which was so cathartic. I want to consume less and buy better this year (sometimes we’re all guilty of shopping unnecessarily to get that hit), but I am changing my behaviour and it feels good to shed. Less is better, and that is also a mantra we apply to work. We should all reframe our relationship with fashion with regards to quality and quantity, quantity is no longer viable and I’m inspired by the work my friend Tiffanie Darke is doing to educate us all in this area. She has a rule of 5—only buy 5 new things per year. But there are so many other ways to supplement and get a fix. I love using rental sites like Hurr and My Wardrobe HQ for work events, and I think figuring out what suits your silhouette is a game changer that makes life so much easier.
I love the cut of Vampire’s Wife dresses and I rented a tartan one recently for Chris and Tammy Kane’s Burns Night event in London. During the working week, if it’s an office day, comfort comes first (in fact, it does with everything now), and I’ll wear vintage Levis with an oversized white shirt and blazer; my current favourite is a double breasted vintage Burberry jacket, adding a high neck khaki sleeveless jumper by Soeur in the colder months (layering is key when you are going from sweaty underground to air con office). I try and walk as much as possible too, so I wear trainers most days, and I still get compliments on my beloved leopard Nikes that my husband bought me about 5 years ago!
I feel like we used to justify extravagant purchases with their ‘cost per wear’ but now I prefer ‘cost per compliment’
Liz Maccuish
If I have a meeting I will wear smart, tailored high waisted trousers, likely from Margaret Howell or Roksanda for Jigsaw, and add a navy cashmere jumper from NavyGrey or Cos mens, with Russell and Bromley brogues. If I’m going out after work, I might switch into my wedding shoes (Aquazzura pearl sandals that have been the best investment!) [pictured below]. I feel like we used to justify extravagant purchases with their ‘cost per wear’ but now I prefer ‘cost per compliment’ and by that rationale they were a bargain. I’d love to get a suit made this year and have my eyes on The Deck London, but I also love vintage clothes and recently found the most incredible shop in a small German town called Uberlingen which sits on the edge of Lake Constance. The edit was unbelievable, and I got a black Valentino top with a huge oversized bow which is a real show stopper, and a pair of Gucci shoes I’d wanted for years.
Weekends are spent ferrying children to clubs and trying to fit a Pilates class in so I’ll be in Farm Rio x Adidas gym kit on a Saturday morning and then likely Rachel Comey high-waisted jeans and an oversized grey hoodie from Everlane under a camel cashmere coat (I’m saving for Max Mara but for now it’s Me + Em). I’m also a huge fan of a Barbour jacket—who isn’t? And we are lucky enough to work with them so I have a few to choose from, they go with everything and are the perfect mix of cool meets practical.
(Image credit: PHILL TAYLOR )
You represent some of the most influential brands and talent in the industry, how do you discover new clients and what gets you most excited about sharing their story?
LM: It’s a real combination of our leadership team constantly coming up with a list of dream brands and clients we want to work with, and those that align with our personal and professional values, ie. creating a more diverse, inclusive and equitable environment in the world of fashion and luxury lifestyle). We might approach brands who need help with cultural relevance and future proofing, we have a great track record of repositioning brands and we are famous for taking brand out of category and into culture (SKIMS and Airbnb are examples of this).We also get a lot of inbound enquires and have a reputation for delivering world class cultural strategy and programming, delivering fame driving influencer marketing campaigns, and creating a huge uplift in visibility and sales. At Glastonbury last year we had Lily James, Billie Piper, Gemma Chan and Dominic Cooper in Barbour jackets and the images went viral. The net result was a 400% increase in sales. Recently we have worked with some of our dream brands including Marc Jacobs, Airbnb, Bumble, alo and Body Shop and once we share a case study, it usually results in the phone ringing which is wonderful.
(Image credit: PHILL TAYLOR )
JM: Discovering new clients is a really intentional process for me. I invest substantial time researching marketing trends and identifying emerging growth areas within the landscape. The partnerships we pursue need to align with the overarching narrative of Good Culture, and we view each brand and talent as integral components of our storytelling. I get excited when working with clients navigating new markets, categories, or transformative moments that demand a fresh perspective. Collaborating with talents on the brink of change, amplifying their voices through strategic partnerships, and contributing to their profile elevation is something that really motivates us.
What was your first “pinch me” moment when you realised that something you’d worked on had had an impact?
LM: Launching SKIMS, alo and Tracee Ellis Ross’ brand Pattern in the UK have been real pinch me moments in the short time Good Culture have been around. Having the trust from huge US businesses that we are the chosen partners in Europe is really special. We also leave room for philanthropic projects, and we recently launched a campaign to try and remove the stigma around sex after cancer. We supported the amazing Girls vs Cancer charity and were overwhelmed with the support we received from media but also talent we asked to share on their platforms.
JM: The seminal “pinch me” moment for me was with the UK launch of PATTERN. Beyond its performance as a hair brand, the opportunity was about amplifying the voices of black women and their experience through the lens of beauty. Collaborating closely with Tracee Ellis Ross and the PATTERN team to bring their vision to life marked an impactful milestone within the Good Culture narrative and my own personal journey as a founder.
(Image credit: PHILL TAYLOR )
As mums, business owners, and podcast hosts, you have to wear a lot of different hats in your day to day. How do you stay true to your own style while still meeting the needs of all of these?
LM: I tend to keep it simple. I’m envious of my kids putting a uniform on every day and when I look at whose style I most admire, it’s confident, achieved women who know what suits them. The late Jane Birkin once told me that her secret to looking chic but staying comfortable was to buy a size bigger than you need and invariably it will flatter more. I have done that ever since. Oh, and borrow your partner’s clothes! My husband and I share clothes and when considering buying something, will often say ’that’ll look good on us’. My uniform is really vintage jeans (blue or black), a white shirt or tee and a well fitting blazer. You can pretty much go anywhere in that. Add a silk blouse and a small heel if you are going straight out from the office.
JM: One thing about me is you’ll always see me in a heel! It’s the red thread in my style. My late nan (my fathers mother) was a dress maker and I remember as a child walking in one of her fashion shows, she always looked impeccable. My grandmother (on my mothers side) was the biggest shopaholic and loved making and buying clothes too, so I guess I inherited their love of clothes and style.
Who are your style icons, and how have they influenced the way you dress?
LM: I love older, confident women who wear simple clothes well. Gillian Anderson, the late Jane Birkin, Caroline de Maigret and stylist Cathy Kasterine. Laura Bailey, and my huge girl crush, Pamela Anderson (especially with the no make up look!) I imagine these women have worked on creating a capsule wardrobe that works hard for them. They probably have 10 great quality pieces they wear and intermix on rotation, it’s what I aspire to, and then to rent pieces for special occasions.
JS: I draw inspiration from various sources. I admire Tracee Ellis Ross for her vibrant free-spirited style, Alex Karl for her classic aesthetic, Georgia Medley for embodying chic mob wife energy, and Christine Centenera, founder of Wardrobe NYC. Each has played a role in shaping my evolving approach to fashion.
I’ve always loved expressing myself through fashion and even though it has refined and elevated over the years, I think my style has stayed pretty much the same.
Jordan Mitchell
How has your style evolved from when you first started out to now?
LM: Throughout the course of (the best part) of my career I have been fortunate enough to work with some of the world’s most stylish and celebrated women. Alexa Chung, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Laura Jackson, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Laura Bailey and Clara Amfo to name a few. I’m friends with incredible stylists like Leith Clark, Aimee Croysdill, Cathy Kasterine and Martha Ward, and all of these women have a signature style that suits them. What I had, for a large part of my 20s and 30s, was an identity crisis where I would be so inspired by elements of each that I would try and replicate looks and styles, not appreciating they did not suit me at all! With age and the love of a partner, great friends and family, comes confidence—and I’m entering into my confident style era!
JS: I was big into my indie sleaze and vintage era, and you could always find me in Beyond Retro trying to fashion a look. But the one thing that hasn’t changed is my love of blazers, a padded shoulder, a short skirt and a high heel! I’ve always loved expressing myself through fashion and even though it has refined and elevated over the years I think my style has stayed pretty much the same.
(Image credit: PHILL TAYLOR )
What does a typical day look like for you?
JS: Up at 6am and head downstairs to have a shot of Symprove probiotic drink (gut health is wealth), Then go straight into a Hiit Pilates session on YouTube, Eleni Fit is my current go-to. After that I’ll get my boys Jude and Jaxson ready for school, I drop Jude off and Jaxson has autism so he has a special bus to come and collect him from the house.
I tend to plan my day the night before, I have a pretty strict time blocking system so that I can try and combine all of the action points across the talent division, brand division, new business acquisition, and business development into an ongoing google sheet which I separate out per week. The nature of the work is that no day is the same; one day I’ll be in LA for a campaign shoot with a client, another we’ll be advising clients on their cultural strategy road map. On average I’m at events two to three times a week, and it’s crucial for building network and being amongst culture.
Recently we had the team away at Bamford spa for our client alo, and Manifest Live with Roxie Nafousi at Alexandra Palace. No two days are the same which is what I love. I try to work from home on Mondays and Fridays, but when I’m in the office I get home at around 6.30/7pm then my evenings are dedicated to family, with a return to work mode post-bedtime, extending into the night.
(Image credit: PHILL TAYLOR )
What’s your favourite go-to outfit, and how does it make you feel?
LM: I have a green corduroy jumpsuit by British designer Anna Mason which is the most flattering item I have ever owned. It makes me feel great and the quality is incredible. I also love my wedding dress, again by Anna, I’m actually thinking of asking her to turn it into a blouse and skirt as I love the idea of wearing it again and again and taking the memories of that special day with me. I’d wear the top with vintage jeans and my Gucci heels and pair down the long gold skirt with a white tee and Chanel boy sandals.
JS: For me, my Balenciaga black, round-shoulder cashmere coat is what I’m obsessed right now. I also adore my denim skirt and top combo from White Stuff (who knew) paired with a Saint Laurent belt and Bottega boots [pictured below] as my current go-to.
What advice would you give to women thinking of setting up and starting their own business?
LM: DO IT. Read and listen to podcasts from entrepreneurs you admire and ensure How to Fail is on there, what Elizabeth Day has done in re-framing failures is masterful. Know it’s the hardest you will ever work, but ultimately it’s with the greatest reward.
JS: Running a business feels like 50% trying to make it happen, 20% saying ‘yay it’s happening’, and 30% let’s keep it happening, so launching and sustaining a business demands a blend of resilience, confidence, and continuous learning to keep forging forward. It’s crucial to be well-researched, confident yet open to learning, and the ability to build a strong network. Consistency, passion, and adaptability are key, with the understanding that challenges are opportunities for growth. My mantra of ‘if you’re not winning, you’re learning’ helps to process obstacles.
(Image credit: PHILL TAYLOR)
What is on your vision board for 2024?
JS: Finding time. Time to focus on my physical and financial wellbeing, and to continue to do things that nourish my soul and create happiness for me and my family. Time to focus more on me and the things that make me feel great, care less about what other people think and focus more on how I feel about myself. I also want to stay focused and disciplined. I’d love to travel more, invest more, and approach things through a long-term lens. Continuing to grow the business to stratospheric heights; and to become globally recognised and coveted as a destination cultural marketing agency.
LM: A family trip to Japan. We are a blended family with 5 kids and I’d love to find a holiday where we could all be immersed in another culture and everyone is stimulated! A second home, where we can escape out of London at weekends and during holidays (we have discovered the Isle of Wight over the last 5 years and it brings me untold joy every time the ferry pulls into Yarmouth and we are moments away from seeing our friends and retuning to island life for the weekend). Also, consistency in regards to self care: regular pilates sessions and using the Ruuby app for monthly lymphatic drainage massages. And of course, growing our business. we’re are only just getting started!!
(Image credit: PHILL TAYLOR )
SHOP LIZ AND JORDAN’S STYLE
Jigsaw
Wye Twill Blazer | Cream
SKIMS
Fits Everybody Crew Neck Bodysuit
FRANKIE SHOP
Maesa Straight-Leg High-Rise Rrousers
Bottega Veneta
Tripod Boot
Good American
Good Classic high-rise slim-leg jeans
Saint Laurent
SL M94 Sunglasses
ARKET
Oversized Cotton Shirt
Prada
Re-Nylon Gabardine Tie
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