Five of Edinburgh's Style Icons

Last month we asked you to nominate a person or place from the city for inclusion in this year's Edinburgh STYLE Icon award as part of St James Quarter's Edinburgh Style weekend. To celebrate we asked some of Edinburgh’s most stylish creatives to share their local style inspirations

Elaine Davidson

Elaine Davidson isn’t just the most pierced woman in the world, she’s a living work of art. If you’ve ever walked through Edinburgh’s streets chances are you’ve seen her – a whirlwind of colour, jewels, and aura. Every piercing, every tattoo, every bold choice she’s made is a testament to fearless self-expression. She doesn’t just stand out; she owns who she is, unapologetically! In a city known for history and tradition, Elaine is a reminder that individuality is just as powerful a legacy. She’s not just part of Edinburgh’s culture, she’s one of its icons and I'm here for it. [Katherine Aly, musician, @itskatherinealy on Instagram]

Dr Neil’s Garden

Flowers that change with the seasons, lush greenery, and the undisturbed serenity of Duddingston Loch are what make Dr. Neil’s Garden my pocket of solace in the city. Nature’s expression is endless and ever changing, which makes me feel inspired in my personal style. Earthy tones, pops of colour, and experimenting with texture are some ways I channel nature through fashion. Stripping my inspiration back to the beauty of the Earth, I am able to distance myself from trends and overconsumption – walking through Dr Neil’s Garden always reminds me that none of those things truly matter. [Nikhita, musician, @__nikhita on Instagram]

Chloe Smith

Before I went to university, I could – without fail – be found in Bongo Club with my friend Chloe Smith. Now an early career stylist, she has been my friend and style icon since I was 16. I remember visiting her house when we were younger, sitting on her bed watching her get ready to go out. Her walls were covered in gig posters, signed setlists, pages ripped out of magazines. I mean from floor to ceiling covered. In front of her bed she had a closet and rail of second hand and vintage clothes collapsing under its own weight – it was like the entire wardrobe of MTV from 1991-2006. She wants Ratboy and DMAs at her funeral, and for her ashes to be scattered down the Cowgate. THE Edinburgh style icon. [Indoor Foxes, musician, @indoorfoxes on Instagram]

The Ventoux

I've always said that a pub is only as good as the people and things inside it and nowhere is a better example of this than The Ventoux in Tollcross. It makes sense that the generally high standard of stylishness exhibited in the regular drinkers of this pub is reflected in the place itself. Upon visiting you’ll see bikes fitted to the ceiling, fish tanks containing fish as recognisable as the punters and a booze-fueled melting pot of style, age and decency. For a place with somewhat divisive decor, music and people, The Ventoux maintains appeal across the board, from art students to pub elders. All who display undeniable style in their own right. [Morgan Morris, No Windows, musician, @nowindowsmusic on Instagram]

The Fringe

Not to simp for the Fringe but honestly, the Fringe. I love buying stupid little party dresses throughout the year “just in case”, I love passing performers in the street wearing papier maché and smeared in stage makeup, I love the circus people and their insanely sexy fits. After endless months of wearing the same jumper over every single outfit while it gets dark at 3pm, Edinburgh in August feels impossibly magical: it’s warm, it’s late-night, and no one blinks an eye if you spend the month dressed in glitter and underwear as outerwear. [Anahit Behrooz, author]

STYLE Icon Award
As part of St James Quarter’s Edinburgh STYLE, we encouraged Edinburgh residents to 'nominate' their STYLE Icon for entry into this year's Edinburgh STYLE Awards. A STYLE Icon can be a person, place, building, etc... Who did you feel was deserving of claiming the title of 'Edinburgh STYLE Icon’?

Find out by heading to St James Quarter from Saturday 15 March, to see who has made the shortlist in an exhibition of images and have your say by voting for who you think should win.

stjamesquarter.com/event/edinburgh-style-2025