Ever wondered what everyday items celebrities purchase, where they source their groceries, and which basics they choose to save on? In an exclusive interview, Dr Nussaibah Younis, a renowned peacebuilding practitioner and acclaimed author, opens up about her personal shopping preferences, from high-end fashion to practical gadgets.
About Nussaibah Younis
Dr Nussaibah Younis is a globally recognised expert on contemporary Iraq, having advised the Iraqi government on deradicalisation programmes for women affiliated with Islamic State. With an impressive academic background from Oxford, Durham, and Harvard universities, she holds a PhD in international affairs. Younis has contributed op-eds to prestigious publications such as the Wall Street Journal, the Guardian, and the New York Times. Born in the UK to an Iraqi father and a Pakistani mother, she currently resides in London. Her debut novel, Fundamentally, was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2025 and is set for paperback release on 12 February.
Shopping Secrets and Favourite Finds
In a candid conversation, Younis shares insights into her shopping habits, revealing a mix of luxury indulgences and everyday practicality.
Last Treat and Food Shopping
The last treat Younis bought for herself was the Rosalee dress with a bustier bodice from Alice + Olivia, describing it as "a stunner". When it comes to groceries, she prefers local butchers and greengrocers, humorously noting "because I’m bougie AF" and emphasising her support for small businesses.
Best Presents and Favourite Stores
Reflecting on gifts, Younis recalls making a hamper for her university best friend, filled with favourite items, and admits "In retrospect, I was madly in love with the girl". The best present she received was a vintage lambskin Chanel cross-body handbag with gold hardware, a gesture from someone "The knobhead had a lot of making up to do". Her go-to online store is Mytheresa for discounted designer pieces, while Selfridges tops her list for bricks-and-mortar shopping, as it "always has something I want".
Essential Gadget and Regrettable Purchase
The gadget Younis uses most often is her Sony WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling headphones, which she wears while writing. She jokes that they make her "60% less likely to murder my extremely noisy neighbours". On the flip side, her most regrettable purchase is a pair of Christian Louboutin Miss Z patent leather stilettos, as she "can barely walk three steps in them".
Everyday Items and Splurges
For regular deliveries, Younis opts for kitchen roll and jasmine rice. With a budget of £20, she would buy a Nando’s quarter chicken meal, calling herself a "cheap date", while £200 would go towards a silk bolero from Rixo. Her saved search on platforms like eBay or Vinted is for black patent leather mary jane heels, a style she wore out from a 2008 purchase. A repeat buy is her Chanel foundation in shade BD51.
Home Habits and Vintage Finds
Younis doesn’t drink coffee but enjoys ice-cold Coca-Cola Zero. Her biggest splurge involves evening dresses for literary prize ceremonies, inspired by her novel’s nominations, with "No regrets". To scrimp, she avoids Ubers in favour of buses, a habit formed while writing her novel. Her greatest vintage find is an Armani dress worn to the Women’s Prize ceremony, bought for £80 from a Notting Hill shop.
This interview offers a glimpse into the shopping world of a multifaceted professional, blending luxury with practicality in her daily life.
