Wealden Times | WT231 | August 2021 | Adding value to your property supplement inside

How would you describe your style?
Relaxed and I’d say very classic. I don’t
follow fashion trends, but prefer to
have staple pieces in my wardrobe.
Actually, I think my husband would
probably say my fashion sense is far too
expensive, but you know, I don’t care!!
What has caught your eye at the fair
today? Oh, the quiche! It was amazing!
Do you know what’s so nice is it’s
dog friendly, there’s beautiful clothes.
Beautiful, kitsch, lovely designers that
you can’t find at a shopping centre,
that’s what makes the fair so enjoyable.
It’s also just so lovely to be out and
feel free, there’s an air of happiness!
How would you describe your style?
Somewhat eclectic. My focus has always
been on textiles as I’m a textile designer. I
love putting colour and pattern together
– sometimes it’s the colour that leads,
sometimes the pattern. I make kimonos
in short and long length that can be worn
as robes at home or in summer as a top
layer. All my kimonos are one-off, so I
like people to think of them as something
to collect – to keep and treasure.
What has caught your eye at the
fair today? I’m sad to say I haven’t
had the chance to look round myself,
yet! However, it’s a really friendly
atmosphere here and the stallholders
are all very supportive of each other!
Do you think your style has changed
since having to spend much more time
at home and has it affected what you’re
choosing to wear now? I think it’s been a
really interesting time because everybody’s
really had to think about their clothes and
discovered their favourites – things they’re
really comfortable in. Now we’re coming
out of lockdown gradually, it’s great to see
everyone wearing summer clothes, and
pattern and colour. You can see people
are really enjoying that, it’s good to see.
Do you have any ‘go-to’ pieces you
wear in the summer? I think for summer
my go-to piece would be one of my
shorter kimono jackets, because you
can wear it to dress up, you can wear
it like I am with jeans or you can wear
it to the beach, so it’s really flexible.
clarejohnston.com
What has caught your eye at the fair today?
Fabric from other countries. We’ve just
visited the stall selling scarves made from
recycled Japanese fabrics and I’m standing
at The Bahati Trust stall full of colourful
printed African fabrics. I just love that there
are stallholders making something new
from something old – I think that’s great!
Do you think your style has changed
since having to spend much more
time at home and has it affected what
you’re choosing to wear now? It’s made
me buy more conscious clothing and be
more aware of where things are from.
Do you have any ‘go-to’ pieces you
wear in the summer? Simple linen
pieces. Comfort, movement and
natural fabrics are very important.
What’s your favourite piece in your
wardrobe? A linen dress from No.3
in Lenham. (no3lenham.co.uk)
How would you describe your style?
Relaxed, modern with French influence,
hence my love of Marie and Lola designs.
What has caught your eye at the fair
today? There were some gorgeous
jewellery stands and I particularly liked
the unique, pretty designs at Flutterby.
Do you think your style has changed since
having to spend much more time at home
and has it affected what you’re choosing
to wear now? I feel that being at home has
introduced a more relaxed style – easy throw
on tea dresses, sweatshirts and floaty skirts.
Do you have any ‘go-to’ pieces you
wear in the summer? All of the above
and wide leg jeans in denim and white.
What’s your favourite piece in your
wardrobe? Currently I’m loving the
gorgeous green pink floral tea dress
from Marie and Lola which looks
great with trainers or paired with
wedges for a more dressy look.
marieandlola.com
Arrows: istockphoto.com/katflare