In the second of our 'Remarkable women' series we interview Pascale the Wonder Woman. Pascale is the Creative Director of Forest Hills (and our local) Haberdashery and Vintage Emporium, Stag and Bow . Pascale is a genuinely funny and naturally upbeat dynamo. We chatted in her nearby home after a long day in the shop whilst her family settled in for the evening. One of her daughters - Bertie The Oh So Energetic One - entertained us both by practising her version of 'kitchen parkour' whilst we spoke.
Unsurprisingly, given her background in Textiles, Pascale has an emotional attachment to fabric, its history and the stories that clothing can tell. Naturally she found it really difficult to choose from such a varied wardrobe. However, choose she did! And what a fabulous choice!
Pink brocade and black velvet 60's jacket of wonder. Thanks Dad!
Pascale spoke candidly about her love for this unique garment that originally had belonged to her dad, Tim.
"This jacket is aMAZing, so beautiful and out of the ordinary. My dad used to wear it. My parents style was 'out there'. When I was really little it was cool but as I became a teenager and all I wanted to do was fit in I frowned upon their avantgarde style".
"The back is wonderful! Let me try it on so you can see the seams!"
"My mum was a writer and dad an actor. All of our family and friends were out of the ordinary and very stylish. I was aware quite young, maybe 6 or 7 years old, that my clothes were colourful and different. Dad used to take me shopping - he'd buy secondhand clothes for me (before they became known as 'vintage' and achingly fashionable). He used to parade up and down the Kings road, Chelsea, and I remember him taking me there for shopping trips.
Vintage innards.
When mum and dad used to pick me up from school I was so embarrassed! Especially between the ages of, say, 9 and 15. I remember dad bought a beautiful old beat up Jaguar type car once. He and mum turned up one day and as he got out I could see he was wearing white winkle pickers and a white leather jacket! And my Mum was wearing a body-con mini and a new short androgynous hair cut that she'd dyed peroxide blonde! Imagine! All the kids coming out of the building were pointing and saying 'Is that your mum and dad?' At this point Pascale gives me her 'Please ground open up and swallow me whole' face. "Now, of course, when I look back I think it's funny".
We did laugh then, as Bertie chose this point to asked to read from her Peppa Pig book. (Soon!)
That satin lining though! *swoons*
This glorious bright pink brocade jacket has a quirky velvet stand up collar and pocket flaps. Embellished with carved black buttons and lined with a diamond printed red and black satin fabric. As stunning and unique now as it must have been when her dad first wore it.
Serious button love here!
It was purchased for Tims character in a play called Aunt Mary by Pam Gems at the Donmar Warehouse in 1982. "Dad decided to wear it afterwards because he loved it".
Timothy Spall OBE - centre wearing Jacket of Wonder - and friends, back in the day.
"It looks like an original late 60s piece. It's got a 'Sergeant Pepper' look about it - possibly picked up in the Kings road".
Gratuitous cute baby in handmade cardigan photo.
"It's missing some buttons and I keep meaning to get them fixed but I never do. My sister even tried to nick it from me once. But I nicked it BACK haha!".
Pascale and her friend, Beatriz, shivering their respective timbers, Jacket of Wonder worn with pride!
I wear it when I'm feeling a *Pirate Sexy Cool* vibe. I just LOVE it! It sums up the uniqueness of the garments in my past perfectly!". *cue excited grins all round*
Do you own a cherished garment on 'long loan' from a parent? Is there a coveted piece in your wardrobe that you borrowed/stole from a sibling? What's the attraction?
Tell us in the comments below.
On the blog soon: Read about a Remarkable woman who LOVES a party theme!