We're closing shop! Time for new adventures!
As this is going to be my last blog as Sorella Store, I make no apologies for the gushy content.
When I opened Sorella Store, I thought I knew what I was doing - starting a little boutique near to home stocking all my favourite labels (because really if you aren't going to carry all your fave labels, what's the point?!). Some things I got right, some things I didn't, and the learning curve was huge.
But when I think about what made Sorella Store a success, it actually has nothing to do with the business itself. It has everything to do with the people. The people I've met, the people I've worked with and the people who've supported me over the last five years.
Before I get into the 'goodbyes', there are some fashion wisdoms I feel I need to share.
* I will never wear MC Hammer pants again (that's a lie, I will but probably shouldn't)
* Any colour can be worn to weddings, it's all about how you carry yourself and the style (so unless you get married in a Vegas drive through chapel, dresses that only just cover your nether regions are NOT suitable for a wedding)
* Ignore labels and sizing- it's about fit and fabric.
* Fashion is meant to be fun. If it's not, you're doing it wrong.
* And finally, something my Mum taught me - just because you can, doesn't mean you should! (hhhhmmm I think there's something in that for us all)
And now for some thankyous and goodbyes:
To all the dedicated Sorella Store customers, you all rock! Thanks for shopping with us and telling your friends about us.
To Sarah and Kim, words can't express how much I appreciate you both, your incredible work and commitment to the store. Too much fun was had, and most certainly too much chocolate. I wouldn't have changed a minute of it. x
To all my new friends I made because of the shop, can't imagine life without you. Hope you hang around for my next adventures (there will be more than one!). You know who you are - love you lots. x
And finally to my family and dear friends.....I know you all thoughts I was nuts when I left the finance world to go into fashion, but you said nothing, brought me coffee and chocolate and champagne when required and supported me 100% over the last five years. Anytime you want to do something crazy and want help, I'm your girl. Love you with all my heart xx
My final words are be brave and follow your dreams, you never know what unexpected and fabulous paths they will take you down.
Love
Clare
xx
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Sunday, April 14, 2013
When I grow up.....
It's my birthday next Saturday. I will be 38. I'm a little shocked by this. When did that happen? I don't feel wise enough to be 38 because surely the closer I get to 40, the wiser I should be.
I have no issues with getting older. I don't mind the laugh lines, I've laughed a lot so I deserve them. I don't mind that I can't pull all-nighters like I used to, I like Sunday breakfast too much. And I don't mind that I've already done some fashions twice, anyone else done pastels, jumpsuits and shoulder pads a couple of times?
I still find myself saying " when I grow up". When I grow up, I'm going to be...... Luckily for me, when I was little and said 'when I grow up', I wanted to grow up to have a dress shop. Really the signs that I would have the shop were obvious. I clearly remember grabbing all my clothes out of my wardrobe, throwing them on the floor and dramatically throwing myself on top of them, declaring I had nothing to wear...to the Bluelight Disco when I was 12!
So as this is my last post as a 37 year old, here are some things I know: don't wear something just because it is fashion (my height and age stopped me from wearing baby doll dresses a LONG time ago); if you can't feel your toes, the heels are too high; if you can't feel your legs, the skinny jeans are too skinny; if you require assistance to get into a dress, you will never ever wear it; if you go shopping after a break up, after too much sugar or hungover, you will never ever wear whatever you buy; and just because you CAN wear it, doesn't mean you should.
My next post, at age 38, will no doubt be full of wise words, because I'll be closer to 40. But until then, here's a photo of me looking rather trendy in purple plaid (must have been in the 70's then). Not sure I'll be looking so fresh faced next Sunday after birthday shenanigans.
x
I have no issues with getting older. I don't mind the laugh lines, I've laughed a lot so I deserve them. I don't mind that I can't pull all-nighters like I used to, I like Sunday breakfast too much. And I don't mind that I've already done some fashions twice, anyone else done pastels, jumpsuits and shoulder pads a couple of times?
I still find myself saying " when I grow up". When I grow up, I'm going to be...... Luckily for me, when I was little and said 'when I grow up', I wanted to grow up to have a dress shop. Really the signs that I would have the shop were obvious. I clearly remember grabbing all my clothes out of my wardrobe, throwing them on the floor and dramatically throwing myself on top of them, declaring I had nothing to wear...to the Bluelight Disco when I was 12!
So as this is my last post as a 37 year old, here are some things I know: don't wear something just because it is fashion (my height and age stopped me from wearing baby doll dresses a LONG time ago); if you can't feel your toes, the heels are too high; if you can't feel your legs, the skinny jeans are too skinny; if you require assistance to get into a dress, you will never ever wear it; if you go shopping after a break up, after too much sugar or hungover, you will never ever wear whatever you buy; and just because you CAN wear it, doesn't mean you should.
My next post, at age 38, will no doubt be full of wise words, because I'll be closer to 40. But until then, here's a photo of me looking rather trendy in purple plaid (must have been in the 70's then). Not sure I'll be looking so fresh faced next Sunday after birthday shenanigans.
x
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Sequins and black leather
This week I posed a question on facebook - what's your personal style? It sounds like a simple question and then you go to answer ....um...well..whatever is clean, or whatever I just bought, or whatever my friends haven't seen before....So then you really start thinking about it. I thought of keywords to describe my look and only came up with sequins, leather, and black. I've always thought I had a bit of a rock chick/glam rock kind of look. So I googled these images and unless I'm really starting to look like Alice Cooper/KISS/Poison....oh please say it ain't so!
Then I started thinking about my style over the years and how it's morphed. I've done preppy and conservative (hard to believe), gothic (not so hard to believe), hippy (fleeting phase in my early 20's when I believed I knew EVERYTHING!)Has your style changed too? Does your style change according to your lifestyle at the time, or according to work, or according to what your friends are doing, or are you a Brad Pitt? Now before I say anything, let me set the record straight. I like Brad Pitt, the way a chocaholic might like chocolate. But he changes style according to his relationships. Is it because he isn't really into fashion and just goes with whatever his current girl says, or is it because he is just so into his current girl, he loves everything about her including her style? For example: when he was with Juliette Lewis, he was unshaven and grotty and grungy; then when he got together with Gwyneth, he went very cool and conservative and they got matching hair cuts; then along came Jen and he went all boho chic; now Angelina and he's uber-cool but with edge (stubble and beanies with suits).
Sometimes you look at a piece of clothing and think, I could never wear that. If it's red patent pleather, that's probably a wise decision. But what about if you like the idea of a garment, but just not sure how to make it your style. I asked Kim to use one piece in the store this week and make a couple of different looks from it.
She grabbed a wrap dress and created a feminine look,
a rock kind of look,
and an edgy Winter look.
You're all still googling images of Brad Pitt over the years aren't you? Enjoy! x
Then I started thinking about my style over the years and how it's morphed. I've done preppy and conservative (hard to believe), gothic (not so hard to believe), hippy (fleeting phase in my early 20's when I believed I knew EVERYTHING!)Has your style changed too? Does your style change according to your lifestyle at the time, or according to work, or according to what your friends are doing, or are you a Brad Pitt? Now before I say anything, let me set the record straight. I like Brad Pitt, the way a chocaholic might like chocolate. But he changes style according to his relationships. Is it because he isn't really into fashion and just goes with whatever his current girl says, or is it because he is just so into his current girl, he loves everything about her including her style? For example: when he was with Juliette Lewis, he was unshaven and grotty and grungy; then when he got together with Gwyneth, he went very cool and conservative and they got matching hair cuts; then along came Jen and he went all boho chic; now Angelina and he's uber-cool but with edge (stubble and beanies with suits).
Sometimes you look at a piece of clothing and think, I could never wear that. If it's red patent pleather, that's probably a wise decision. But what about if you like the idea of a garment, but just not sure how to make it your style. I asked Kim to use one piece in the store this week and make a couple of different looks from it.
She grabbed a wrap dress and created a feminine look,
a rock kind of look,
and an edgy Winter look.
You're all still googling images of Brad Pitt over the years aren't you? Enjoy! x
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