Welcome to The Velvet Runway, where we blend insightful travel guides, style inspiration, and lifestyle advice tailored for curious minds and style enthusiasts alike. Our mission is to provide practical tips, curated itineraries, and inspiration that elevate everyday experiences—whether you’re looking to explore new destinations, refresh your wardrobe, or simply find ways to enhance your daily life.
Created with a passion for exploration and discovery, our content is crafted to inspire and empower you in every journey you take, from the big adventures to the small moments of joy.
About Julia
I’m Julia. I was born in the UK but I have lived in France for the last thirty years, so I guess I’ve acquired the “French touch”. I love fashion and travelling whenever and wherever I can.
I am the owner and founder of The Velvet Runway and a qualified Personal Stylist and Life Coach.
However, I have always been passionate about travel. Though I’ve stepped away from offering bespoke travel planning services, travel remains close to my heart. Going forward, I’ll be sharing curated itineraries, travel stories, and helpful tips from my personal experiences—always with a strong emphasis on sustainable travel.
I studied Psychology at University, followed by a 15 year career in Finance and 13 years as a secondary school teacher before retraining as a Personal Stylist in 2016 and more recently as a certified Life Coach and Travel Advisor.
I‘ve been where you are or somewhere close. I’ve moved to a new country (where I didn’t speak the language), I’ve quit my 9 to 5 job to launch a new business, I’ve written the book, run the marathon and had my share of successes and failures.
All of this provided me with proof that I could do anything I set my mind to and that I was capable of doing hard things, evolving and living my best life, and now I want to inspire others to live their best life too!
In September 2015, I decided to start The Velvet Runway to share my passions and provide inspiration to help you live your dream life.
British-born, I’ve spent over thirty years, living and working in France. Both my daughters were raised in France and now both live in Paris. My youngest daughter, Hannah Rees, has recently become a regular contributor to the blog and I hope that you will enjoy her articles about French Style and Living in Paris.
I hope that the inspiration you find on this site encourages you to live your best life and go after your dreams.
About The Velvet Runway
The Velvet Runway is an award-winning style, lifestyle, and travel blog, offering curated inspiration for those who value elegance, intention, and timeless living. From refined fashion and everyday wellness to chic travel guides, the blog celebrates beauty in all its forms. In 2025, it was named Best Travel & Lifestyle Blog – France by the LUXlife Magazine Travel & Tourism Awards.
At The Velvet Runway, the goal is to share more than just beautiful places or polished outfits (although I do want to continue sharing these!) It’s about curating a lifestyle that blends timeless style with authentic experiences—from capsule wardrobes and French Style and Beauty tips to boutique hotel reviews and cultural deep-dives.
Over time, this space has grown from a personal passion for style and travel (and a blog that only my family read!) into something truly special, and I want to ensure that what comes next is even more thoughtful and inspiring and feels authentic.
I believe style is more than just what you wear—it’s how you live—and I’m thrilled that The Velvet Runway has become a trusted space for readers seeking elevated inspiration across fashion, lifestyle, and travel. Whether you’re looking to refine your wardrobe, plan a stylish escape, or simply bring more beauty into your daily life, the blog offers curated content designed to inspire, inform, and delight.
For those who are curious about origins the name “The Velvet Runway” signifies both travel, with the allusion to airport runways, but also style with the allusion to fashion runways (catwalks) and the “velvet” is for a touch of luxury and elegance.
What You’ll Find Here
The Velvet Runway is built on four content pillars—all rooted in a commitment to slow living, intentional choices, and elegance without excess.
Style: Sustainable, Authentic and Refined
At the heart of The Velvet Runway is a deep appreciation for style that goes beyond the surface, and as a qualified personal stylist, I’m passionate about helping you dress with purpose and confidence.
From effortlessly chic outfit inspiration to thoughtful reflections on personal image, fashion here is never just about what you wear—but how you wear it and what it says about your story.
Here, you’ll find guidance on creating a thoughtful wardrobe that works for your lifestyle, with an emphasis on sustainable fashion, capsule dressing, and versatile pieces worn well and worn often. Expect practical tips, seasonal edits, and style inspiration that goes beyond the trends.
Fashion features will focus on timeless, wearable pieces that exude elegance without chasing fleeting trends. With a blend of wardrobe staples, seasonal edits, and styling advice, I encourage you to cultivate a personal style that feels authentic, confident, and refined.
We are committed to sustainable style—exploring how to invest in quality, build an intentional wardrobe, and rewear pieces creatively and confidently.
Beauty: Effortless Elegance with a French Touch
Beauty is more than skin deep, but we also believe in rituals that uplift. This pillar focuses on conscious beauty—from skincare that supports your natural glow to minimalist makeup routines and beauty brands making a difference.
You’ll also find insider tips on iconic French beauty brands—along with under-the-radar favorites that embody timeless sophistication and sustainability.
Lifestyle: Inspired Living
Our lifestyle content is all about crafting a life that feels as beautiful as it looks. From mindful routines and wellness habits to ageing positively, elegant interior touches and personal rituals, you’ll find ideas to support health, balance, and intentionality—whether you’re at home or on the move.
Sustainability at The Velvet Runway extends beyond the wardrobe. We believe that a truly elegant lifestyle is one rooted in intention and balance, which includes thoughtful choices at home and in everyday living. From championing eco-conscious exteriors and interiors to sharing tips on reducing waste and embracing mindfulness we will encourage you to create beautiful, lasting spaces that reflect both personal style and a respect for the planet. It’s about living well—with less, but better.
Travel: Connection, Not Consumption
After years of offering bespoke travel planning services, I’ve chosen to step back and focus instead on sharing travel itineraries, stories, and tips from my personal experiences. This shift reflects a deeper commitment to sustainable, soulful travel—celebrating the joy of discovery, supporting local communities, and creating memories that connect us to the world, rather than just consuming it.
Travel content on The Velvet Runway is designed for the discerning explorer—someone who seeks not just destinations, but experiences. From romantic city breaks and quiet coastal escapes to cultural deep-dives and boutique hotel reviews, every post is crafted to inspire travel that’s meaningful and stylish.
We’re passionate about traveling in a way that respects local cultures, supports independent businesses, preserves the beauty of the destinations we love, and encourages meaningful journeys that leave a lighter footprint—because true luxury lies in connection, not excess.
And there’s more to come—something new is quietly in the works for Autumn. Let’s just say, if you’re passionate about travel and meaningfully designed experiences, you’ll want to stay tuned.
Our Values: Rooted in Sustainability
At the heart of The Velvet Runway is a belief in living beautifully—with care. Whether it’s choosing garments that last, traveling mindfully, or supporting brands with purpose, everything shared here is designed to encourage a more sustainable, authentic, and elegant way of life.
Sustainable Style – We believe that style should be timeless, not trend-driven. With a background as a qualified personal stylist, I focus on helping you build a curated wardrobe that feels both elegant and effortless—centered on investment pieces, capsule collections, and versatile staples you’ll wear for years. Sustainability here means choosing quality over quantity, embracing what you already own, and finding joy in the art of re-wear.
Natural Beauty – Beauty is an extension of our values—and our wellbeing. Here, you’ll discover clean, cruelty-free beauty, minimalist routines, and wellness-focused self-care that puts your skin and the planet first. From refillable packaging to plant-based ingredients and ethical sourcing, every product spotlighted is chosen with intention. We’ll also celebrate the best of French beauty, blending iconic brands with under-the-radar finds that embody craftsmanship, purity, and timeless appeal.
Mindful Living – A beautiful life starts with what you intentionally invite into it. From slow routines to thoughtful interiors, The Velvet Runway champions a lifestyle rooted in clarity, calm, and connection. Expect features on wellness, seasonal rituals, home inspiration, and purposeful living—all designed to bring more depth and presence to your everyday. Whether it’s reducing waste, choosing quality home essentials, or creating calming, purposeful spaces, we believe in living beautifully—with less, but better.
Conscious Travel – Travel is at the heart of our story—but we believe in exploring the world responsibly. Travel isn’t just about where you go—it’s about how you engage with the world. After years of designing bespoke luxury journeys, I’m shifting toward something more grounded: travel that favors connection over consumption. Through curated itineraries, cultural insights, and practical tips, we’ll explore how to travel with curiosity, care, and a lighter footprint—while still seeking beauty and meaning in every journey. True luxury lies in connection, not excess—and our goal is to inspire journeys that are as enriching as they are respectful to the people and places we visit.
Join the Journey
However you found our site, I hope you will take a little time to browse and that you will leave feeling inspired and ready to live the life of your dreams.
The Velvet Runway is more than a blog—it’s a beautifully curated journey. Whether you’re planning your next trip, refining your wardrobe, or simply seeking a dose of inspiration, this is a space to slow down, savor, and reconnect with what makes life feel elegant and intentional.
I’m thrilled to have you as part of our community and am excited to be a part of your journey. Dive into our guides, explore our tips, and let’s discover all the ways we can make life a bit more stylish, adventurous, and meaningful—together!
Here’s to continued inspiration, elevated experiences, and the beauty of the journey. x
Look good, feel good, live your best life 🙂
With love,
