You might not know Apphia Michael but you should. Apphia's Instagram is a delightful mix of her beyond cute children (two-and-a-half year old Tallis and 6 month-old Byron), and the rest of her super stylish life. Her babe of a husband, George, makes the odd appearance and elsewhere you'll find stunning interiors, all delivered with her distinct minimalist style.
If having a monochrome colour palette seems a little harsh for the subject matter, which is basically her family life, you'd be surprised at how much joy and life comes through in the images. Apphia, a journalist and stylist clearly has a good eye.
Click through to get a snapshot of Apphia's beautiful life.
You can follow Apphia on Instagram here.
Name, age, location, occupation:
Apphia / 33 / London / Journalist, writer, stylist.
How many children do you have, how old are they and what are their names?
Two - my BFF Tallis who is 2.5 years old and baby boyfriend Byron who's 6 months old.
How did you meet your husband and how long ago was it?
10 years ago. I spotted George at a CocoRosie gig in Shepherd's Bush one Sunday and he literally stopped me in my tracks. I saw him again exactly a week later at an MTV party at 93 Feet East in Brick Lane on the other side of town. Told myself it must have been fate and totally stalked him that day like a psycho until I finally mustered up the courage to chat him up.
Photo: Via @apphia____
Where’s your happy place?
Bed, with my lover.
What do you love about the city you live in?
That it's full of creative and inspiring people. I've always wanted my kids to grow up in a place where they have easy access to some of the world’s best theatres, concert halls, galleries, museums and public art. More importantly, it's also a melting pot of different races and creeds – how amazing for little people to be exposed to and taught to love and embrace such diversity at such a young, formative age. Pretty incredible.
Photo: Via @apphia____
How does it impact your style?
There's a real sense that you can be whoever you want to be in London – there aren't really any rules which makes me more confident and bold in my style choices.
Where’s your favourite place to shop?
Dover Street Market, Goodhood, &OtherStories.
Photo: Via @apphia____
What item of clothing are you still hunting out?
A sexy yet minimalist, fuss-free breastfeeding bra. I'm starting to think it doesn't exist.
What item of clothing best sums you up?
Baggy tailored trousers.
The best new brand you’ve discovered?
Photo: Via @apphia____
What brand do you miss from your youth?
Stussy.
What do you have too many of?
Black tank tops.
Is there anything you won’t wear?
High heels.
Photo: Via @apphia____
What three items should every woman own?
A great wool coat, no-V.P.L. knickers and a cashmere jumper.
How would you sum your style up in three words?
Oversized, minimal, black.
What’s your favourite pair of shoes?
My black Comme des Garcons buckle brogues.
Photo: Via @apphia____
Favourite item of clothing you’re currently wearing?
A ridiculously elegant Issey Miyake-inspired pleated oversized navy COS dress which so far has proved to be crease-free, seemingly stain resistant (so important when dealing with jam-smeared toddler hands) and has an incredible stretchy V-neck cut which allows for quick boob access for little Byron and his breastfeeding demands.
How do you look after your skin?
A cleanse with the Clarisonic followed by moisturiser. That's all.
What’s your most important beauty rule?
You can never have too many coats of mascara.
Photo: Via @apphia____
Favourite beauty product of all time?
Eve Lom cleanser.
Who does the best clothes for babies and children?
There are tonnes. But if I had to choose my personal favourites would be Gray Label, Caroline Bosmans, Album di Famiglia, Makie, Bonton and NUNUNU.
What did you wear when you were pregnant?
Baggy cropped trousers, chunky oversized sweatshirts layered over crisp white long shirts, a massive overcoat and brogues or trainers.
Photo: Via @apphia____
Has your dress sense changed since you became a mother?
I've become more focused in my approach to dressing. I work from home and have the two kids full time, so I don't have time to mess about trying on different styles or outfits. I've created a capsule wardrobe for myself which makes getting dressed most mornings a two minute affair.
Where are we most likely to find you on a Friday night/Sunday morning?
With the family either cooking supper or in a restaurant close to home in Shoreditch or de Beauvoir. On Saturday morning we're usually having a long drawn-out lazy breakfast at the local deli.
Photo: Via @apphia____
Your favourite place to eat?
Lardo for pizza, Akari for Japanese pub vibes and sushi.
What’s your favourite thing to cook?
Chinese food (I'm half Chinese).
Who makes you laugh?
Tallis – she's hilarious.
Photo: Via @apphia____
What quality do you most admire in other people?
Generosity, kindness and fearlessness.
Your biggest fear?
Either of my kids coming to harm.
Your biggest achievement to date?
Giving birth to both my children naturally – especially in the case of Byron, who was born in the most calm, magical Hypnobirth experience at home.
Photo: Via @apphia____
What are your hopes for the year ahead?
That the projects keep rolling in and I get to live my dream of being able to work and create whilst being able to hang with the kids every day.
Who do you stalk on Instagram?
It's not really a conscious thing, but I love nothing more than getting sucked into the feed of a total random who I don't actually follow but who I've clicked on by chance in the 'discover' section.
Photo: Via @apphia____
What's your favourite picture you've posted on Instagram?
A graphically-shot scene where you can see just my bottom half walking up a concrete white staircase. It sums up everything I try and curate on my feed – clean, minimalist and striking imagery.
Photo: Via @apphia____
What's your most liked Instagram post?
A picture of George holding Tallis in one arm and a week-old Byron in the other, with the caption: "This guy, who cleaned the house, did the laundry, made lunch, then shoved a giant cupcake in my hand, sat me down on the sofa, put on a Woody Allen film and took Tallis out for a couple of hours so I could have a naughty midweek skive". People love a hands-on dad.
Photo: Via @apphia____
What caption are you most proud of Instagram?
Less of a caption and more of a hashtag I came up with – #mowgliandmowgli. I use for all the pictures of the two kids together (they both have ridiculous amounts of dark messy hair).
Photo: Via @apphia____Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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