28 Mar 2013
It was cold and miserable outside but the atmosphere inside was warm and the gorgeous array of colours made up for the bleak weather.
Over a glass of Prosecco we reminisced about how easy it was to wear practically anything when we were younger, I seem to remember rolling up my school skirt, which was in fact my gym slip as that was even shorter than my skirt, to a thigh flashing length. I can’t imagine what the roll around my tummy must have looked like!
Kate Nightingale, the Style Psychologist explained that we need to develop our own sense of style, find clothes that flatter us and give us confidence. When you are relaxed about what you are wearing you are far more capable in your job – it’s one less thing to worry about.
Andrea Cohen told us of the history of no35 and how fashion design wasn’t her first career. Having grown up visiting her grandfather’s men’s tailoring factory she was enthralled by the attention to detail the workers gave every garment that was made. Fashion and tailoring was in Andrea’s blood as her mother also had a women’s wear store. After studying Surface Pattern Design at Leeds College of Art, Andrea started a career working in retail at Fortnum & Mason and then the interiors industry, rapidly rising to Managing Director of the Dutch bed manufacturer Royal Auping UK.
It was during the end of 2004 that Andrea realised that many women were wearing clothes that neither fitted nor flattered, they were simply making do. This combined with her own frustration at not being able to find well-tailored clothes suitable for the working woman, inspired Andrea to launch her own collection and open no35.
What Andrea has created is the Intelligent Wardrobe, a range of clothes that are styled to follow the natural contours of the body, complementing its natural shape. The difference with a no35 garment is that it has many seams which mean that it can be tailored exactly to the customers shape and size. This is why we are so envious when we see women either on the cat walk or in magazines; the clothes have been tailored to fit.
Andrea’s advice is to build a working wardrobe, don’t make do or buy in the sales because it’s a bargain, this I am guilty of, and as Andrea said we often buy several cheap items of clothing that we rarely wear when we should be buying investment pieces. The wardrobe should consist of strong individual pieces that work together seamlessly and that can be added to. Make sure that every piece of clothing works for you; it should be a great fit, simple design but have elegant tailoring. Make sure the fabrics are of excellent quality as these often wear better, no35 chose men’s suiting for some of their design as these fabric wear well without creasing.
The Intelligent Wardrobe is transient and changes according to the season, but as a basic it should consist of:
A beautifully fitted pencil skirt
1 or 2 well-tailored pair of trousers
A chic leather jacket
A well cut work jacket
A classic shift dress
A fashion dress
A great wrap shirt
A fitted top with a quirky detail
The evening was rounded up with a little more Prosecco and a chance to all get to know each other. The feedback from the women who attended has been lovely, with one lady saying ‘it was a little jewel of an event’.
