Who better than a pop star to help us find the best, most cutting-edge bargains at Bicester's new discounted designer popup boutique?
Rita Ora isn't quite the kind of celebrity you expect to find at Bicester Village. Middletons shopping for cashmere are two a penny; but shouty pop upstarts wearing Roksanda Ilincic with matching lipstick, and buying up Henry Holland neon tweeds? Not so much.
Rita was at Bicester for exactly the same reason as myself, Caroline Rush of the British fashion council, blogger Susie Bubble, and pretty much everyone in the fashion industry: the opening of the latest British Designer Collective pop-up store, selling recent catwalk pieces by London fashion week stars including Roksanda Ilincic, Jonathan Saunders, Preen, Mary Katrantzou and JW Anderson at knockdown prices.
For those sceptics who haven't run to Marylebone to catch the next train and still need to be convinced to make the trip, here's why the BDC is so much more than a sale shop. The past few years have been a golden era for British fashion and the new boutique has been curated by Yasmin Sewell, who has cherrypicked the best pieces from recent years (and yes, each is available in a range of samples, not just one 6 and one 8). There are Jonathan Saunders' spongey knits, draped Roksanda Ilincic gowns, and showstopping Nicholas Kirkwood shoes.
Rita turns out to be a fun shopping buddy. "I'm so happy to be here! Even though it's so early. I never get up this early!" (It was 11am. Pop stars, bless 'em.) We elbowed our way through the crowds, riffled our way through the rails, and hereby bring you the Ora Oracle: Rita's top seven picks from the British Designer Collective popup store:
1. Mary Katrantzou silk cocktail dress, with heart design and formal-garden print, £1,230
Rita says: "It has a seductive, Eve-like vibe that I love."
2. Lucas Nascimento structured purple shift dress, £250 (original price £1,380)
Rita says: "This is awesome. I love that the construction and the fit are so precise and structured, but the fabric is kind of crazy. That's quintessentially British fashion.
3. Roksanda Ilincic short fuschia silk organza dress, £600
Rita says: "This is amazing. I'm having a Beyoncé moment after seeing her perform the other night, and this could fit the bill.
4. Richard Nicoll maxi-dress in pink crepe de chine/georgette. £130 (original price £1,300)
Rita says: "This is cute! I could perform in this. I want it!"
5. JW Anderson perforated leather pencil skirt, £322
Rita says: "I luuuurve JW and I love good leather. I would feel very sexy in this skirt. It's so minimal but has a youthful feel which makes it really cool. I'd wear it to, like, an incredible dinner where I wanted to really impress someone."
6. JW Anderson 3D cable-knit sweater, £313
Rita says: "The only reason I'm not buying this is because I already have it!"
7. Jonathan Saunders red textured skirt, £276
Rita says: "I love the colour. I'm a big fan of red. I'd wear a matching lipstick."