Eshita Kabra-Davies

Eshita Kabra-Davies On Her Personal Style Rules

12 minutes ago

The rental platform founder on her daily style rotation

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If you’ve ever rented a dress for a wedding (and then quietly debated buying it afterwards), there’s a good chance Eshita Kabra-Davies had something to do with it. The former investment analyst launched peer-to-peer rental app By Rotation in 2019, just five months before the country went into lockdown. Not exactly ideal timing, but with all of us stuck at home staring at our wardrobes, the community boomed, and By Rotation is now the UK’s largest clothing rental platform.

Fast-forward seven years and she’s been named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, sits on the boards of Women for Women International and Eco-Age, and judged our very own Future Icons Awards earlier this year. Unsurprisingly, her personal style is pretty killer too: think silk négligées worn as daywear, a soft spot for noughties ‘it’ bags and a style icon who just so happens to live in a haunted mansion. Her golden rule? Rent before you buy. ‘It’s like doing a test drive,’ she says. Here, Eshita fills us in on her personal style dos and don’ts.

My Style: Eshita Kabra-Davies

Break down your daily uniform?

A negligée from Bocan Couture with a jumper on top, Chanel ballet flats and Annoushka’s Mythology Eye Spy charm pendant.

Who is your style crush?

Morticia Addams. She’s alluring and elusive; you just want more…

What are some of your go-to pieces for winter?

Hayley Menzies‘ duster cardigans, HERD‘s knitwear and boots from Penelope Chilvers.

And your favourite accessories?

I love classic ‘it’ bags, like the Dior Saddle bag and Balenciaga City bag.

What do you pull on for a night out?

A short skirt that accentuates my legs, or slip dresses; Alessandra Rich‘s dresses are lovely. And I like dramatic eye makeup. Giorgio Armani’s eye pencil is my go-to.

Tell us about a piece you own that gives instant wow?

My vintage Fendi black and white sequinned pony-hair croissant bag. It goes with every outfit and always makes me think of Carrie’s iconic green sequinned (and ‘panty-free’) bag in series two of Sex and the City.

And the one that makes you stand taller?

I am conscious of my height (I’m petite), especially given my career in finance, which skews male, and fashion, with its towering models. So I’d say my 5.5-inch Aquazzura Sundance heels.

Ultimate second-hand coup?

I’m working at the moment with Tufffinds to source a dream accessory.

Any under-the-radar labels you’re loving right now?

Martina Vidal Venezia for beautiful linen and lace, both homeware and clothing; Gimaguas for the cool-girl aesthetic; Marcia for a hot going-out number; and NNItalia Linen, a sweet little store in Marbella Old Town which stocks very high-quality smocked pieces. I’m also a fan of Torlowei‘s silk lace dresses and Another Tomorrow for its sustainable staples.

What is your 2027 style prediction?

Balenciaga City bags will be everywhere.

And a trend you wish would go away?

Fake designer bags.

Style hack?

Use platforms like By Rotation to rent high-quality, expensive or unique clothing before buying. It’s like doing a test drive.