Today I'm going on a sartorial Journey with singer-songwriter
Mother author, podcaster and total or round Superstar.
So how lucky am I to be sitting here with the one and only
Sophie ellis-bextor. So excited to have you here.
Thank you for a lovely introduction.
Well, apparently, go can lover and eBay addict to the list,
goes on. So let's talk straight about
clothes. What is your earliest sartorial
memory? When did, when did you first
realize the impact of clothes? I think, you know, maybe a lot
of people would think this book. The first, my first memory of
clothing is not my own clothes. It's my mother's clothes and a
mixture of the clothes. She would wear so day-to-day.
And when I think of, in my head it's all snapshots of family
holidays. So this is an 80s.
I was born in 1979 so it's her in like pastel colored.
Cotton sundresses and of A line skirt with pockets and buttons
down the front and jumpsuits, all that kind of stuff, which I
think I'm still searching for all the time, you know, and
there's something in your memory, you're still seeking.
And then also her stage where because and I grew up, my mom
was doing theater and TV. So, there was a healthy amount
of costumes, knocking around including her wedding dress,
that she got married to my dad and so they separated when I was
four. And then she did A play where
she died the wedding dress purple, and so sequence on nice
to wear that at home, sometimes too.
And I was small. And then think she'd where to go
out at night, it's always what kind of exotic and exciting and
lots of subtle metallic foil dresses.
And this kind of thing again, stuff.
I'm still looking for now. And, and did you try it on?
Did you play dress up? Definitely.
And with the shoes all of it. Yeah, I was fascinated by by the
Garb, and the makeup and the transformation.
Yeah, absolutely. And I can still remember the
smell of things. Lip gloss or hairspray or
perfume? Yeah, it's all there definitely
it's very evocative isn't it? Yeah.
And you reckon you're still searching for the type of style
that she inspired you to wear. Yeah absolutely.
I think I've got a lot of my wardrobe where I'm still.
Yeah, collecting things that evoke that memory for me and
fundamentally, who do you dress for?
Do you dress for yourself, do you dress for your husband,
other men, other women or actually indeed?
Your audience, I dress for myself primarily, but I think if
I'm, if I'm getting ready it's probably other women that I
think will notice the detail because a lot of my girlfriends
are excited about clothes like me.
And I think it's my husband, that's really made me feel
completely comfortable and choosing the things that
actually make my heart saying, rather than second-guessing
myself, he's, he's been pretty good at that.
I think and it kind of if I like it, hope you like yet that's
great, go for it. And I think that's really We'll
have someone in your corner like that, especially if you go on
stage and you know, you want to be flamboyant, but you also want
to be comfortable and feel good. So if someone goes, yeah, you
look great. That's wonderful.
Then it's brilliant for you. Otherwise, you get that kind of
voice in the back of your head saying, am I sure I want to wear
this, I don't know. It's probably a ton of workers
are go out and sometimes I mean, I'm too much in your stage look
is really considered you to use a stylist, or a you.
Is it all you? So for my gigs, it's me
actually. And I'm quite White Lotus
menacing. I'm really unusual.
Is it though? I don't know.
I mean, I really enjoy it. I've worked with a stylus.
I've got a lovely friend called Tamra.
Who's worked with me on my last few videos and she's brilliant.
So if I need something that's a bit more pulled together and a
bit more considered than our work with her, and we've worked
together for quite a long time now, and I really liked her.
I so I trust her, but when it comes to my shows, I really
enjoy it. And I'm also quite last minute.
I don't like a lot of fuss. I don't, I don't use hair and
Person when I'm getting ready for a show, I like to do it
myself and I think I need to have ownership of that
transformation on there quite often.
Don't know exactly what I'm going to go with, still quite
close to the lines that might be in a couple of hours before and
I suddenly decided okay, that's the one is it almost part of
your pre-show ritual very much so yeah.
And I really enjoy it and same with the makeup.
I'll spread it all out. Nothing.
Right, what color? I said, oh what lipstick and
just communicate your own lashes on?
Yes, I can. Oh, wow.
Well, lots of practice. And also it's the bit where
Anyone's in the renison. Try can't speak to anyone
sticking on the lashes, or doing what I learn.
I can speak of the side of that. I loved the latex suit that
you're wearing the hypnotized video.
Well, tell me a bit about the story of that.
So that was actually Tamara that introduced me to that stuff and
I'm going to get that. I might have to look it up to
find out there to get the name. Right.
Exactly of the designer because honestly the shop she took me to
his absolutely beautiful. It's all these latex outfits
that are Exquisite and just happen to be made out of rubber.
It is exquisite. That's it.
They really are good. Everything in the cutting in it
just I mean I have to say my designers I went that is really
really beautiful also with latex it's a really.
I mean clothes can be so amazing anyway.
But basically there's the director I work with is called
Sophie Miller and she's worked with me since the beginning on
my videos and she said, I finally that she had this idea
of me being kind of like a dictator in think you're a real
girl woman. Yeah.
Getting the dancers to sort of almost act out my emotions,
whether they liked it or not. So I had to kind of be quite
strict so that's why the head went towards.
So of latex, kind of dominatrix side of things.
And when Tamara took me to this place, I was like, wow, this is
incredible. And I like to look up so I can
tell you exactly. Yeah, because I do is worth
having a look. This stuff is really beautiful
and also clever, everybody kept saying, oh you must be really
hot mustard. Hot?
Yeah, she wasn't. It was actually funny.
How is it putting latex on? Wow.
There was another outfit that I tried.
That was it was trousers and that was like a three-man job
and I thought I'm not doing that on the video shoot and I do you
have to do the sort of baby powder and it didn't really Dawn
but honestly for the skirt and the jacket and the bra just pop
it on. Oh fine.
No problem. - I'm going to look it up for you because honestly
it's beautiful. The stuff was absolutely
beautiful. And do they do everything from
Suits to long dresses? Has to because you know yeah you
can use latex for unless it's young Sam's and they'd used
things are things with the rubber would have like a lace
print overlay and there's even an outfit that they've done.
They've been in the DNA and it was all hand cut, beautiful,
sort of like, doily flower laser-cut.
Yes, all overlaid all glued with an amazing headdress with a
plume at the top, just brilliant.
Now, tell me what atsuko Kudo, that sukeroku.
Yes. And I met her.
She was in the shop when she And it's a london-based shop.
Yes yeah. Does it smell like suppose the
rubber does it do you? I mean is it like taking a pair
of rubber gloves off and you you feel like you need to wash your
hands? No, it actually kept time.
I was in glass guys. It wasn't like super hot anyway
but I kept quite cool. I felt good.
I felt empowered. I love the shape of this, the
great shoulder line for at the front and then it kind of really
cinched in here and and then the pepper not for, yeah, maybe feel
strong as fun. I like that fabulous.
Do you have a style icon? I have got several.
I mean, my earliest memories, are people like Julie Andrews,
both in Sound of Music and in Mary Poppins?
So, I think the tailoring of Mary, yes, I can see that but
then make it out of curtains. Did you ever?
So I did a little bit, but not enough to be clever about it.
That's actually one of the things I've always meant to do,
I've got I own an amazing sign machine and I got as far as
winding the bobbin and then I got a bit like I don't really
know what's going on anymore. You've been sewing for a long
time. Well, I think that's what really
set me off. You know, mmm, being sort of big
enough and tall enough to reach the pedal of the sewing machine
and getting going. And yes, if you can teach me,
give me a lot lately. I haven't done it for many years
but actually now I've got a little bit more time.
I'm really looking forward to class a lovely, the crafting
side of things. You know when you when you as
you progress through your career, if you're not careful,
you can lose touch with certain elements that Drew you into it
in the first place, that's very easy to do.
Yeah. And it's so important to kind of
get back to that Carnival because that's probably the bit
of it that resonates the most with you, as well.
Do you write your own songs? Yes, I'm a leak.
Oh, right, cause I like writing with other people.
I think it helps you weed out the good ideas.
Yeah. And I write totally on my own.
I sometimes, can't tell if I'm doing something brilliant or
awful. And that's a, that's a bit.
You can't get a big check mate with yourself.
There's someone I've worked with for a long time now.
Chords, I'm Ed Harcourt, he's an amazing singer.
Songwriter in his own, right, and we've worked together on
three albums, and it's just a very easy collaboration.
We have a lot of fun, we chat about a ton of stuff, we laugh a
lot and then we write a song as well.
I think creative collaboration is just so exciting.
So, rewarding, whether you're designing, it is writing or
whatever you want, it gives you add a shape as well.
I think, if you've got your own, your own with thoughts can be a
bit, can be a bit woolly, but this is your discipline of, you
know, we turn up at this time and we know we're finishing at
that time and so let's just get it done.
I mean, you're famously, the mother of five boys to three
more and those lighter than that, that there's a lot of mail
and many than energy in your household.
Does that affect your sartorial decisions?
Do you think? I don't know about that.
I mean, yes it my eldest is really into fashion, so he's
really someone, I'll show my stuff too and he's ever since he
was little, he'd come out shopping with me.
And does he love your style? He does, actually, although I
think sometimes he thinks I take it quite far during lockdown.
We did discos from home where I got even more caricature, my
choices. So, basically, for a long time,
now I've been collecting outfits, not really knowing why.
So I've got a lot of vintage. Ice skating outfits made.
Direct costumes leotards just bunker stuff.
I didn't think was going to see the light of day until I found
myself singing from home during lockdown where I suddenly
thought, right? That's now I'm going to wear
that stuff. Framed, well, I thought so and
then someone said to me, oh, you know, it must be hard for your
elders. You know, when you're wearing
those costumes and I said, no, he's really supportive.
I said to Sonny afterwards. This, you know, I've said you're
so supportive and funny when is a bit much sometimes actually
overall, It's like I've got one of my favorite jackets is one
that he picked out for me. He's got a really good eye.
He'll often say I'm not sure about that handbag with that
dress but tried this. He's just he's always been
someone. That's fantastic.
Yeah. And he's now studying design and
he's about to do. He's at the Brit school.
Doing a graphic design course and for his last, but he's
allowed to do his own own thing and he's going to do a clothing
line. So I think, you know, that's
something he's we share. Are you allowed to critique in
the other direction? Yeah, but his style is different
to mine. Yeah.
I think he's more into sort of designer streetwear side of
things where as I love a rummage around her, you know, secondhand
shop, do you have any favorites, any sort of particular second
handle vintage store that you? You go to again and again and
always come out with something? Yes.
I mean in London, its kind of got bit harder.
Actually, a lot of the places. I've always loved clothes being
all been ravaged. Yeah, yeah, exactly.
And I also, like things where I'm not someone that's
collectings design of Vintage stuff.
I like stuff. That's a bit more Rough and
Ready and inexpensive really and quirky.
Yeah, quirky yes. So my favorite is actually when
I go into a because then I'll build my day around going to
visit three or four vintage shops around the city.
I walk everywhere all day and it just gives me a shape to the day
gets me out and about and give you a gives you a feel of the
city. Otherwise say, I would imagine
you travel around the world and you don't know whether you're in
Tokyo or ya. Know it's Alabama.
Exactly. I love getting out and about
About and and also in that world as well be so friendly.
You know, you always find yourself chatting to whoever's
running the show it, it's so true.
All the vintage shopping that I do.
They, they're passionate about clothes and I love that eating
and the up cycling and the reusing and they're giving
something a second or a third, or a fourth life.
In fact playing, I love that too.
And I love the stories in the clothes and it's just with me
for a little while and then I'll send it on its way.
To do you ever take it as far as fancy dress?
I'm sure it's crossed that line many times sometimes
intentionally. So it's not in fancy, dress is
great fun. And I think the thing I like
about that is, you know, it's a fun for a party and sometimes
festivals and and its really good for everybody feeling like
they've invested in the event of the party before it's happened.
So really brings to it that energy of light.
I've worked really hard on this and I want to have a good time
so I think it should happen. More often actually funny one.
This does your weight or perception of your body affect
your choice of what you were? I think it can't help but do
that really? Yes, and I know specially after
I've had a few times, I felt that first time was actually,
when I was in my first band and I went I sort of left school
signed a record deal went on to her and suddenly life on the
road where you're eating like that.
I mean now it's much better when you stopped her services but
then it was very much ginseng as pasties and Burger Kings and and
drinking more and it was a bit like is it's not equivalent
going to University basically. Yeah.
And I remember, That being a bit of a shock.
Like oh and just the first time I saw myself on stage I just ran
out the room crying. I hate it was wearing so I
looked enormous the cameras brutal isn't it as property?
And I was like, 17, I think 16 17 and you just it's just very
hard to get used to seeing yourself and I don't actually
really watch anything bad but I think yeah.
I mean it's definitely been fluctuations, you know, tickly
obviously after babies or during pregnancy or whatever.
But I I've got more forgiving of myself.
I've got older and weirdly or even though I've definitely a
times when I've been in better shape I think I'm on the best of
terms with my body and I don't know if that's just getting
older you just I just don't sound a lot more really healthy.
Yeah it's nice. I think as appreciate what it's
doing for me, really? And in fact I can get up on
stage and jump around for an hour and feel okay and still
saying that's brilliant, I'll take it absolutely I mean you
you obviously did strictly so that was a lot of movement.
Moment, a lot of dance has that. Do you dance more now?
Do you think, post strictly, and does that help you stay in shape
as that? What do you do to stay in shape?
Yeah, I definitely think the movement on stage is a big part
of my fitness, really. I didn't really appreciate into
a lockdown actually. I think I just had it in a
separate part of my head but yeah, it's a huge deal, really,
because it's quite aerobic, really jumping around a lot.
Oh my God. And your very physical
performer. You, I am now but it's funny
because when I started It was complete opposite.
So when Groove jet came out in 2000.
I didn't move at all. I would stand completely still.
I think I felt quite self-conscious and awkward.
And in fact I was asked to do strictly a couple of times
before I said, yes. And I always used to say, why am
I going to do a dance program where I prove whether or not, I
can dance when I make dance music.
That just seemed like a really foolish thing to do.
It's better when people don't but it's really the grave thing
to do. Well, I think it came at a time
when When I was ready to flip the script a little bit, I'd
just written an album called Wonder last, which is a very
foggy album, no dance, no disco and so musically.
I'd already done something that took me away from the norm and I
think I felt like I was ready to do something like that.
With, you know, they're more like public side of things, as
well. So it was strictly.
I just found myself saying, okay, let's do it and my
girlfriends were big part of my decision-making because I have
to re good friends from school. And one of them was over and I
said I've been Strictly on her whole body language changed.
It is so excited. I thought, oh, I didn't know you
watched it. So that I've watched every
episode in, you're going to love this and what you get to
Blackpool and oh my God, you're going to love a quick step.
And I was like, oh my goodness, what's happened to my friend?
And I basically said, yes, because of her that
conversation. Amazing but impulsive, but yeah,
I think doing the movement on the show, definitely made me
more even more uninhibited on stage, and it made me realize
how things read, as well. You know, when you first start
using your body to Make a point or two, you know, to highlight
the drama. And I'm singing I think I speak
quite small and I realized was strictly the biggest biggest
best, and you can't really take it too big.
So now, I really use all of me when I do stuff, how wonderful
to take that experience and and you know, apply it to you you
know, your your work life. I feel very lucky.
I could do that actually because I could see that for some of the
contestants, you know, they loved so much of what they were
doing but they couldn't really Integrate it into their day job
as readily and for me it was very complimentary and that way
and also one of the costume designers there, she's call
Vicki which is actually ahead of costume.
And she made for me this beautiful silver or skiing in
Crested crystallized bikini, I'm not looking swimsuit sort of
thing like a leotard. I remember a simple and I've
used it ever since I thought I was going to say, did you get to
keep it? Well, I bought two, I use them
on rotation and they're a really important part of my kids for my
gigs. Cause you put that underneath
like a chiffon overlay. I've seen that wonderful.
Look at the little twinkles through.
Yes, it's less. It's less in your face, but it's
Han fans really. Hastily catches the light.
Yeah, so that's that's become a really big part of my stage.
We're now outside stage where, when you're unsure of the dress
code, what would be your go to look or well?
I think vintage is often a good one because it's slightly takes
you outside of the equation. A little bit.
I feel more nervous. If I go too.
Something like, I don't know, a wedding or a party, and I'm
wearing High Street than I would bring vintage because it just
think, oh, it's a bit, it can be a bit ordinary.
I mean, I love it. I think, get me wrong, I think
British High Street is fantastic.
It's so Democratic. And there's so much choice and
it's brilliant, but I just like, sort of doing something that's
my own thing. And then you sort of do have to
worry so much about what people think because it's you've got
coming to it outside of that conversation sometimes.
What's my go to me? What am I do?
I have any idea where I'm going with this question?
My the event. I mean, if it's going to know,
if it's outdoors, indoors, 22, cardi.
Yes, you've got a good point there.
You got a good point. I'm not quite practical
underneath it. You really are actually my feet
not to hurt so but it D is the one look that you absolutely
love what your favorite look. Oh I think I was like to look
like I haven't really, I don't want to be thinking about what
I'm wearing after I leave the house, I don't be fussing with
anything so maybe a good places. I do like a one zip up things.
I've got loads of jumpsuits and short places and they're
brilliant. They're great for stage as well.
If I find myself doing that. But they're also good for just
day to day. And I found with my kids, it
means I can climb a tree if I need to, I can bend down, I can
tie shoelaces. I'm not worried about anything
like that. I like the freedom of his age.
A consideration of how you dress a follow-on from the place.
It's not yet. I think the way it's creeping in
his Maybe Be Fabrics. I think the most of in expensive
Fabrics, don't look as good now that I'm older lot of lovely
little dresses I've had for you and I keep hold of everything.
But I went through my all of my summer clothes the other day and
put everything on and some of the really cute little
sundresses. I'd had a really long time.
They just don't look that good now.
I think you need something that holds its shape better, I think
so. Yeah, I yes, as you get older.
That's what I think. Yes.
But in terms of hemline that have yet to succumb to I am sure
that they will come, but not yet.
I mean, I actually on that note in terms of sustainability, what
do you do with your your clothes?
Once you've had enough of them, occasionally, I'll give them two
girlfriends. Like people, I'm always getting
people to borrow my clothes. I don't like the idea of him
sitting dormant, so if anyone's got anything coming up, I'll be
all right. Come around.
I usually fill a bag full of options.
They take it all away, just bring it back.
You know, do it. You have to decide now.
I like doing that. That's fantastic.
That you generally get on them. Then I'll just say He's pretty
keep that one but other than that it's my local charity shop.
And weirdly I get very flattered if they put my donations in the
window and take that as a huge combo.
Sweet. That was one of mine.
Do you do you think you've had a worst fashion moment of so many
just one in particular one? Oh wow.
I mean, I think I think pretty much everything I wore when I
was pregnant with my first baby, I just didn't get my turn.
See we're at all, I didn't want to say, I was I was 24, I just
didn't want to wear maternity, it seemed really frumpy as a
concept. It's got better now.
Anyway, I think generally but so I wore just of oversized things
and a lot of bright clothing. And there's remember one time
there's a picture taken of me and my husband, Richard, and I'm
wearing a bright blue coats with The Tartan scarf relief, Reston
torrent, it muffs and I said, why did you let me go out like
that? He said, I just thought you
looked funny. So that was yeah that was like I
love the fact that he's so encouraging.
So amused by me. Yeah and I think you know the
kids as well they're just they don't really bat an eyelid, it's
kind of brilliant. I am always trying things on.
There's always weird and wonderful sparkly things turning
up at the house. I'm constantly finding like
little independent Brands and buying sort of Festival style
gear, and that kind of thing, and trying it on and then
forgetting. I've got it on and then
organizing something or go on the trampoline with them and
they just don't really think about it.
Got you got a rough? Schenley open and fluid approach
to addressing I think yeah I want them to have that as well
though. Yeah I want them to enjoy
getting dressed if it speaks to them.
I mean my second one down is not interested in fashion at all.
He spent most of last year wearing this Christmas top that
said Mary cactus cactus muscles like a cactus tree with it.
What you just put it on like most days even likes of of
August but the little ones are quite into it.
My six-year-old really like smashing, he gets very
interested in not that with that and pairing all and was it?
Like bright colors and I like seeing him enjoy it.
It's fun, isn't it? Great fun?
How often do you actually spring?
Clean your wardrobe. When you sound like you've got
masses. I do and it's constant.
I'm always in the middle of a clear out.
It is, I'm just come to accept that now, it's constant, but
sometimes I've got rid of stuff and regretted it.
So I always feel like you don't win any prizes.
If you get rid of something you later, think I wish I kept that,
but when I've made them I won't I sort of have a process now,
where I'll take Without put them in a like another space, that's
like the holding space and if I feel good about it, after a
couple of weeks and on it goes, do you archive anything?
You know, if you've been to an awards ceremony or won an award
or done something very special, do you hold on to that?
Yep, I've got things from. I mean, I've still got like a
dress. I bought.
When I was about 15 16 from New Look, I just wanted so badly and
it's a really classic black shift, a nice to wear my first
band all the time. That's, that's the hang up my
wardrobe. I've got boxes on top of my
wardrobe. So I've got all my video outfits
in them. I've got tons of stuff, I hardly
get rid of anything and it's actually really helpful because
you open up the boxes and all the memories come back and also
why not. It's absolutely it's but also
it's part of who you are. Yeah.
Everything you want on a music video or yeah.
Those things are special. I mean, I've sometimes given
away things if there's been I don't know like a charity
auction and actually I have got rid of the boots from my murder
on the Dancefloor video, always regret it was it was the wrong.
Actually, I think that was silly of me, think of the money that
was raised for the charity true but they didn't actually say in
the charity auction that they were the boots from the video.
And so they basically sold them for I think slightly less than I
probably pay for them to have it done in time in the first place.
So I felt like I wasted my go a little bit but yes, you're
right. It's definitely, it's
definitely, you know, a little bit in the right direction but I
could have saved it and made more of it.
I think. Anyways, right, it happened live
and learn the yeah, I live in London as talk about travel do
you pay particular attention? Shinto.
What your airport look would? Because you're at, you know,
you're a well-known face. I would imagine you get papped
when you least want to be, there's not too bad and actually
with airport stuff. I am someone that gets very
excited about being hand. Luggage only is my oh my God,
the girl has this amazing eclectic taste.
I can't believe it and you just get that into hand luggage.
I do. I love it.
I see it as an absolute challenge.
That is okay. As long as the employee
practically, just did a 12-day. Holiday and all of us were
handle good. I loved that.
I felt very clever. I mean, I carried that most of
the bags, every had their own bag and I had most of them on
me, most of the time, but yeah, nothing to check in.
Thank you very much. I am in all of that.
Which brand would you say is your guilty secret?
Oh, it's brand. I don't feel guilty about any of
them. Is that bad?
No because I sure think I asked you that Question.
And I thought, hmm, actually, you're such a vintage girl, I
am. But also, there are brands that
I've I do like to collect stuff. There's a woman called Rosa
Bloom whose companies also called Rosenblum, and she makes
secret. I think it started just as
Festival where but it's the best for stage where, and I've
definitely put up a little collection.
And I think that's probably my favorite sort of brand outside
of the High Street. In terms of, I love everything,
she's done, it makes you feel incredible.
It's like superhero James are there be sequin cat suits or
jackets or shirts and tops and I wear them all the time.
On some my God. I so many I don't come into your
wardrobe and just have a really good.
I think every woman should own one of the Cascades and guys to
why not and they make you feel kind of invincible and they so
mesmeric when they share my and also it doesn't doesn't crease
wiped clean. It's perfect for travel fabulous
sustainability. Credentials of that are probably
not. Enormous.
But we'll sort of pass like one by one but if you keep it
forever well from use it to death and then I think it's not
taking anywhere near been that's fine.
What if anything, do you feel? You have an excessive amount of
in your wardrobe sequence, salute hat.
I mean, those is this I because of my eBay habits as sometimes
buy things, just own them, I'll, they'll be something I'll have
on my saved searches. I'm, I just kind of want to own
that. I don't know when I'll use it.
So you have a lot of very odd that I always imagined some
point in the future. After my death, there might be a
very small quirky Museum of things.
I've bought people wander around going.
Why does she have so many of these major at costumes?
Not also have no idea. I never saw anyone.
I don't know why I buy these things.
I just like the collection.we through the putting together
looks. Do you go into your wardrobe
with your phone? Put a look on, take a photograph
of it, or do you? See how you feel?
Yeah, I think I definitely could have been smarter about all
those things. I don't, I don't actually really
have the basics covered, which I'd noticed quite a lot.
I don't shop with a very considered mind, I just get
excited about things and want to own it and probably have a few
variations of a very similar items you know, I mean but yeah
I think Charles like me and a white T-shirt.
I really well as in you have that way, you don't have no, I
have lots of those. Okay you see I don't own.
Plain white t-shirts and that's kind of thing.
I sometimes think that would make me a grown-up.
Like, I haven't quite crossed. Yeah, but never do it, but it
sounds good. And then you've always got the
basics covered and sometimes when I'm about to go out and be
like, why do I not own just like really great pair of trousers,
or really, you know, pulled together.
Look. That is something I struggle
with it just like, doesn't sound like you that is face reality.
Sometimes, so guilty secret. What's the most Expensive item
of clothing, you thought. Well, my most expensive thing I
ever bought was also something I never wore and in a way it was
quite a good lesson for me. It was after I'd had my first
success so it must have been around the time of grooved yet.
Maybe after my first album came out actually and I used to
always go on websites like you know, net supporting all these
things when they launched and look at them and think.
Wow. And I thought, I wonder how it
feels to just buy those really expensive dresses and I bought
this black Flowy dress is very beautiful, sweetheart, neckline
too long. Ribbons that you saw crossed
over on the bodice and that skirt, it costs a thousand
pounds and then never wore out. I don't know why I didn't maybe
I was worried about it getting damaged or something happening
to it. I thought, right, I've done it.
Now I know what it feels like to just go in the basket for and
they actually stopped me from ever doing that again.
Have you still got it? No, I got rid of it years ago
because it wasn't being worn. What's the point about?
It said the labels on them. So I I haven't spent over that
amount since then except for my wedding dress, which was from
where that was actually really lovely designer.
She was based very near trellick towers and very near where I was
living at the time. We were just stuffed portobello
Road and her name was Sarah, Owen.
And she, she wasn't a big name with that but she just said,
together, will grow address. I just go and visit her and
slowly slowly. We built up this dress that I
loved and it had the design that she'd done.
And then I already had our first baby by then I wanted something
a bit fun. So we had pink, pink Nets that
we bought from haberdashers on Portobello road but you could
see underneath and it was kind of a mid missions of mid-length
dress with gold shoes and my friends did my hair and makeup
and I bright red lipstick. I was like yeah I felt like me
it was described the rest of the dress that so yeah Lakota
strapless, slightly sweetheart neckline wasted so quite classic
shape, really and little tiny Polka dots on the net.
Some little Jewels sound on and 11, blue one for your something
blue. And yeah, this pink net, that
you could see and my friend Lisa did my hair and she made my back
of my head, like a bow and then Louise had done my makeup.
For my first couple of videos she did I black tick and my red
lips and how gorgeous. This is fun isn't.
And you felt you and yeah, I definitely felt like me.
Yeah, honestly, How many pairs of shoes, do you own?
Well, over 200, I'd say. But then, as I really get rid of
anything, even when I don't really wear them anymore, I
don't know about you, but especially after their
lockdowns. I looked at all the heels, and I
thought, why did I ever do that to my stilettos?
Completely by thinking completely was the first and
also now our feet are just so unused to them.
Yes. When you put them on it's a
horror show. It really is.
Yeah, so I'll wear a good block heel for gigs but I don't wear
heels apart from that. Really has your view on
purchasing and dressing other than The heel thing changed
during since covid and lockdown. I think it's made me want to
celebrate all the things that were lying dormant.
I mean it was it's quite a strange thing to have all those
clothes just sitting there waiting for something.
You know, like maybe feel quite sad one day, just look at these
beautiful things and thinking got nowhere to wear them, you
know, nothing to be looking forward to no parties, no
events, no fun stuff and did that Inspire some of your
kitchen kitchen. Disco.
Yeah, I think it probably did although I think that was a more
extreme version really that the kitchen discos kind of went by.
Obviously singing is my day job but it wasn't really about that.
It was about me and the thing I needed to express and the side
of me that just was being very very quiet.
So being a bit silly, you know, putting the rollers in putting
my makeup on choosing outfit was really really welcome
distraction to the heaviness of what was going on so I do.
I really delved into that and learning new songs every week
and all of that. It was a place for me to go and
for Richard to he was dealing with the technical side of
things and you know, helping with the song Choices and doing
the edits and you know, doing lots of the clever stuff so it
was really good for us. I think it just gave us a
different conversation to be having as well.
I've done a different Focus, exactly overall, the dumbest
acidity. If you've got a piece in your
wardrobe, that doesn't quite fit.
What do you tend to do with it? Do you tend to alter give it to
a girlfriend? No, at the ultimate I've sort of
understood now that I don't really do alterations, I've used
as an excuse to buy things, that's not how I live.
So if something doesn't fit, if it's too small and a drastic
way, just get it gone. It's not there's no point
holding on to it. But if it's a kind of, it's a
little bit too small or too big. Probably keep hold of it for a
little while see if it comes in. Sometimes things become useful
later on and it's funny. I will have something waiting
for a long time and then suddenly like, oh yeah, really
love this. This was the right dress for the
day. Or, you know, I mean, you sound
like you've just got so many clothes because it's, you can
look after them. Well, are you really conscious
of sort of having them all on beautiful hangers and mothballs
and or lavender bags and all of that?
Or, no, not really, is it all A bit chaotic.
It's just a bit more sort of normal, I think.
Like, I've I just hang things up mostly but it's quite chaotic.
My youngest Mickey sleeps in the room where all my clothes are.
So he's surrounded by such between three things, hanging up
on. I like be able to see stuff so
there's lots of hooks on the wall and I hang them all up and
then they look all kind of shimmery and exciting and then
you open the wardrobes and it's a bit of a squash but I know
where everything is pretty much actually.
So I guess it's not that bad but there is something beautiful
actually about using a night. Of clothing on a hanger.
Oh, yeah. Sort of as a piece of art.
I love it. Not make.
It genuinely makes me happy. And I'm someone that responds a
lot to color. And, you know, looking at things
that stimulate me, it affects my mood for the better.
So I like being surrounded, by all that my house has got bright
colors and there's lots of things to look at and I actually
take a lot of pleasure from it. Good at the end of the day,
that's what it's all about. Yeah, I've got some quick fire
questions. Go for it.
I end up High Street. High Street lingo bear.
Hmm, can I do a bit of both actually?
Let's go playing. I think you're blinking,
minimalism will maximal a Couture or charity shop,
charity, shop, one, awful bug off.
I think one of actually Crocs cute or puke, I think they're
pretty horrible. If you seen the healed ones, but
then I was talking to some of the day and she bought them.
Have you seen them? Yes.
Do you own some know your sheep? She'd bought the heel drops and
then I bought like the things to say And I'm like, I don't get
it. I thought the whole thing of it
is if you can own them they just for Comfort.
Why my brother he'll on that and get it.
So they were puking at those. Yeah they're pretty Grim
sneakers are stilettos sneakers skinnies or boyfriends or wide
legs. In terms of jeans I quite like a
bit of a flare at the moment actually body Contour boho by
High Sports Luxe or rock chick Rock, check glamour, grunge
lamb, red, carpet, or relax, relax.
Party where our PJs, how do you are Trend or Style Style color
or monochrome color pattern or plain pattern experimental or
uniform experimental, Kashmir or cotton cotton order or editor?
I think I freaked out when I am think, we know now charity shop
or resale charity, shop vintage or rental in th recycled or up
cycled recycled shape, work or sexy lingerie.
Whatever didn't understand what is shapewear is that?
Like stuff that kind of pulls you in and does cleverest.
Yeah, I know the other one. I think you're sexy lady tights
and stockings tights actually bikini on One Piece.
One Piece, beanie or berry berry and finally Sophie ellis-bextor.
One last question at the end of the day.
What do you or don't you wear in bed?
I wear pajamas. Now, I definitely get dressed
for bed. Absolutely, it's quite funny,
isn't it? Because I I do think it's quite
quirky but I know I love a good pajama plays girls pajamas men's
pajamas girls ones, but know it's funny.
I mean, I've Got Friends that sleep with nothing and like that
would I find that a very unreal axing idea.
Thank you so much for your time. I have loved this conversation.
My God we have just really, really like her.
Well, there's a lot about clothing and getting dressed
that really is psychological piece and it's so emotional.
I think your relationship with clothes is probably formed
before you didn't even hit double figures so much of it.
Definitely. And that's what this is all
about is just understanding how it's affected us and when it
started to affect us. Yeah.
And actually, we're lucky because we both know what we
like and I think I think that's once you've got that bit away,
then the rest of it's fun, I call it your style DNA and and
sort of finding out who you are side.
Torrid start or really is So important really important.
Yes and then I celebrate that all the time.
Clearly I love that thank you. I hope you're enjoying the
podcast. If you are please leave a review
and hit the Subscribe button, see you next week.
So important really important. Yes and then I celebrate that
all the time. Clearly I love that thank you.
I hope you're enjoying the podcast.
If you are please leave a review and hit the Subscribe button,
see you next week.