With International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day both this week, we invited some of our favourite woman to play dress up in their favourite Wyse pieces and show us how they bring their own unique sense of style to the collection. We also asked them to share some pearls of wisdom, their inspiration and the mantras they live by. Women rule. But we knew that already.
Wyse Women
Celebrating International Women's Day
With International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day both ahead, we invited some of our favourite (and most inspiring) woman to play dress up in their favourite Wyse pieces.
Sarah Tomczak
Journalist
Do you have a quote or mantra that inspires the way you live?
I love the line from the Mary Oliver poem, ‘Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life’
It reminds me to be fearless, seek out adventure and value every day.
What does ‘style’ mean to you?
It has less to do with fashion and more to do with confidence. The most stylish women I know have a true sense of self and a carefree abandon that means they’re dressing for themselves not everyone else.
Arabella Greenhill
Fashion Consultant and Creative Director
Do you have a quote or manta that inspires the way you live?
This is a new one for me which I am trying very hard to live by... 'progress is better than perfectionism'
Name three women who inspire you and why?
- Julianne Moore, who exudes confidence and a 'don’t give a fuck' attitude and as a fellow redhead, how she wears colour. She inspired me to start wearing red many years ago. If Julianne can, I can.
- Elfie, my 18 year old daughter who is just so smart, cool, confident and true to herself. She is everything I wish I had been as a teenager but sadly wasn’t.
- My amazing girlfriends who are the most resilient, brilliant and wonderful women I am lucky enough to have in my life and who inspire me everyday.
Which piece of the Wyse summer collection do you love most and why?
Celestine Cotton Shacket in khaki - It is such an easy piece to wear, throw on over a t-shirt or dress, Ideal for those cooler summer evening, The perfect combination of a feminine twist with a utility edge.
Deborah Brett
Fashion editor, Ceramicist and Wyse collaborator
Do you have a quote or mantra that inspires the way you live?
Strive for excellence in everything you do, but don't bother being perfect. It doesn't exist
The best piece of advice your mother ever gave you?
It's funny I don't think my mother ever sat me down and gave me specific advice. I just remember her filling me with so much love, she believed in self confidence, laughter and not taking things to seriously so that's what I try to pass on to my kids. That and some fantastic baking skills too!
Which piece of the Wyse summer collection do you love most and why?
I'm a 70's girl at heart so have been itching to get my hands on a pair of the new denim flares - the problem is deciding! I'm smitten with the indigo blues but then again the pale pink or elegant cream ones are tempting too. Plus I can't wait for my DB X Wyse summer dresses and t-shirts to finally go on-line. They are going to be Fab!
Jacqui
Model
Do you have a quote or mantra that inspires the way you live?
Know your limitations and defy them.
The best piece of advice your mother ever gave you?
Family first and guard your independence.
Rosie Green
Author & Journalist
What does ‘style’ mean to you?
To me style means confidence - well fitted, flattering, accentuating the best bits, hiding the worst.
Name three women who inspire you and why?
- Susan Harmsworth - founder of Espa - for being age-spiration. She’s 70+ and has an incredible vitality.
- My daughter - because she is fearless.
- My BFF Jen - because life has thrown her some serious curveballs and she’s still optimistic and never bitter.
The best piece of advice your mother ever gave you?
She told me I could do anything. But she’d love me whatever I did.
Elena
Model
Do you have a quote or mantra that inspires the way you live?
Not being everyone’s cup of tea is more than fine, there are plenty other delicious drinks.
What does ‘style’ mean to you?
Style to me means so much emotionally, as I think its such a lovely form of expression. Literally being able to change up my style and wear different things, based on my mood gives me superhero alter ego vibes I can be whoever I want! I don’t even think I could write about my style as one thing, I love how millions of people, eras, songs, weather can change it.
The best piece of advice your mother ever gave you?
The best piece of advice my Mum gave me, was the perspective ‘we don’t know what is going on in other peoples lives’. She made me aware of this when I was quite young and it really helped me avoid an immediate anger stance in situations. When behaviour can upset us being more empathic ultimately helps us let things go, which is nicer for both parties in the long run.
Lottie Franklin
Stylist & Journalist
Do you have a quote or mantra that inspires the way you live?
Smile and the world smiles with you!
What does ‘style’ mean to you?
Style is expression. Expression that applauds individuality, with no fear of judgement and the aim of bringing you and others happiness (with comfort, quality and conviction thrown in the mix!)
Name three women who inspire you and why?
- My Mum! She is a mum first and best friend second.
- Katherine Hepburn - A style icon and a Hollywood star famed for her fierce independence and daring personality, bringing back memories of a paper I studied at University looking at Classical Hollywood Cinema. Rebelling against fashion stereotypes, she would wear trousers and shirts at a time when it was seen as unfeminine. A pioneer for dressing with expression and freedom - a rebel and yet still a Hollywood goddess.
- Dolly Alderton - I really admire Dolly as a journalist and writer, her frank writing style bringing to light such poignant and clever observations. I think her openness, jostling between sharp humour and vulnerabilities, is particularly inspiring (especially in Everything I know About Love).
The best piece of advice your mother ever gave you?
Treat others as you would like to be treated, and if you're up against it kill people with kindness!
Shenyue
Model & Ceramicist
Do you have a quote or mantra that inspires the way you live?
"There's a crack in everything, that's how the light get's in." - Leonard Cohen. It's just perfect for ceramics and dealing with failure.
"There's a crack in everything, that's how the light get's in." - Leonard Cohen. It's just perfect for ceramics and dealing with failure.
What does ‘style’ mean to you?
Style for me is comfort and how an outfit makes you feel, and not just how it makes you look. It's something that can bring confidence, and can be a tool that helps me go about my day that little bit better.
Name three women who inspire you and why?
- Rosalind Franklin, for discovering DNA.
- Greta Thunberg, for doing so much and showing that it's never too early to start.
- Rosa Parks, for inspiring an ongoing movement for justice.
The best piece of advice your mother ever gave you?
To borrow a little happiness from the future in tough situations or moments of hardship.