Amanda Wakeley: StyleDNA

• Sophie Paterson - Style DNA - Season 9

  In this episode of my Style DNA podcast I go on a style journey with the international interior designer Sophie Paterson who is known for creating luxury residential projects across the UK and globally. To my delight, Sophie arrived for the recording wearing a vintage Wakeley cream scuba jersey two piece given to her by her mother in law which she clearly loves and wears on repeat. It was from a collection that I did about 15 years ago and I can honestly say it looks as current today as it did back then. I had never met Sophie before but she came across as humble, approachable and wonderfully focused. She is understated and states that it is “all about the client”. I asked her whether she adapts her style to the client she is visiting… she absolutely does, going so far as saying that she will pick out the most controversial colour in the presentation and wear that. If she is filming one of the properties for YouTube she will dress to match each room so that all the focus is on the interior. If she is meeting a client for the first time she will underplay her look saying that the star of the show is the client, it is all about customer service and she doesn’t want to steal their thunder in any way …clever and refreshing… Sophie talks about how “everyone has an age to shine in”…hers being her 40’s, however, she understood her silhouette from way before and even going so far as wearing glasses that she didn’t need when she was young in business as she wanted to come across as older. I loved the advice she was given by her “very stylish mother in law – don’t go smart with everything - if you are going to wear a diamond necklace wear it with a T shirt” … I could not agree more. Sophie is polished and very considered in everything she does be it interiors, beauty or fashion… I really enjoyed our conversation and hope you do too. Thank you @sophiepatersoninteriors for sharing your style journey with me xx

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• Jo Wood - Style DNA - Season 9

  In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the celebrated author, entrepreneur and television personality Jo Wood. Her life has been steeped in rock n roll having spent 24 years married to Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood. Jo left home at 16 to become a model, was married for the first time at 17 and had her first child at 18. Jo hilariously recounts meeting Ronnie at a party having “never been a Rolling Stones fan” …he followed her around the party and asked her where she worked. Having a laugh, she told him she worked on the broken biscuit counter at Woolworths on Oxford Street.  When she arrived home the following day she was greeted by a slightly confused Ronnie who had been waiting outside Woolworths for her… the rest is history. She spent years on the road with Ronnie and the Stones, often travelling with no fewer than 12 suitcases when they toured for a year at a time She clearly loved styling him and doing his wardrobing on stage, whilst respecting the Mick hierarchy in terms of looks… She has always had a passion for vintage fashion…and over the years she has clearly collected some amazing pieces that are obviously a diary of her life that she will probably never part with. For our interview she is sporting an 80’s Saint Laurent tiger printed velvet jacket that looks as cool today as it must have done when designed… She laughs at herself when she recounts going on a pilgrimage to Tibet with Sadhguru. Meeting him the morning of their departure he told her that she would be carrying everything she needed on her back.  She had to edit her suitcase down in the hotel lobby to just enough clothes to fit in her backpack and how liberating that was…she didn’t miss any of her extra “stuff”…there is probably a lesson there? Never one to take herself too seriously, Jo tells me that her worst fashion moment was probably  post-divorce and being caught on camera in a see through top that was seemingly opaque at home but under the power of flashlights completely see through. Thank you Jo Wood for being such an entertaining guest xx

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• Natalie Pinkham - Style DNA - Season 9

  In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the British television presenter and journalist, best known as a Formula 1 pit lane reporter for Sky Sports…the vivacious and energetic Natalie Pinkham. Natalie was the first woman to commentate on a Formula 1 session for British television and is recognized for her skill in interviewing drivers during high-pressure post-race moments. We chat about life in the often windy and sweaty Pit Lane …how she approaches her track looks especially having experienced a skirt lifting moment when she was caught out by a gust of wind in South Korea captured on film by a nearby pap (reassuringly put back in his box by none other than Bernie Ecclestone).  She talks about the camaraderie of a growing band of female reporters and pundits in a once male dominated sport and how the popular Netflix series Drive to Survive has definitely exposed the sport to a much wider audience. We discuss the power of feeling great in your clothes and wearing the right thing especially for a particularly intimidating meeting with the editor of a national newspaper after her friend Caroline Flack had died. Natalie went on to Co-found Flackstock the mental health music festival set up in memory of her precious friend Caroline. She is a passionate Mental Health advocate - developing AI solution for kids struggling with mental health problems. She is wonderfully down to earth and no subject seems off limits including a reference to being a frequent sleepwalker …let’s just say that is why she now goes to bed clothed head to toe in pyjamas to avoid another potentially revealing moment. Thank you @natalie_pinkham for sharing your wisdom and insights so warmly xx

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• Caroline Hirons - Style DNA - Season 9

  In this episode I go on a Style Journey with the renowned Multi award winning skincare expert, author, and founder of the Skin Rocks skincare brand and app, arguably known as the most important person in British Beauty, affectionately dubbed the Queen of Skincare…it’s Caroline Hirons. Caroline literally grew up around the beauty industry, with her mother and grandmother working in the industry from the 1960’s onwards. From her first day on the counter in Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, Caroline fell in love with skincare in particular and went on to qualify in beauty therapy. Caroline launched her blog in 2010, and quickly amassed millions of devoted followers across her social networks. Caroline has proven that when she recommends a product or collaborates with a brand, sales spike and sell out. She quite literally creates a retail stampede and can change the fortune of a business overnight.  Caroline’s success comes from honest and science-backed knowledge, and she’s utilised that to launch her own brand, which includes her Limited-Edition Kits of recommended products which sell out in hours, as well as the Skin Rocks brand which consists of the award winning skincare line and app. Her skincare brand Skin Rocks has swiftly become a cult favourite, recognised for its clinical credibility, proven results, and no-nonsense approach to skincare. Female founded and female-led, the brand is driven by a leadership team committed to delivering expert-led, trustworthy skincare to all. Built on the pillars of education, efficacy, and trust, Skin Rocks entered the market to challenge industry noise with evidence-led products and straight-talking guidance. Every formula is rooted in clinical testing, developed with science-first principles, and delivered with a tone that speaks directly to consumers. It’s a brand that has earned authority without losing relatability — standing out in the crowded masstige skincare category with a unique blend of credibility and community. Unsurprisingly Caroline’s no-nonsense approach to beauty transcends into her approach to getting dressed. She openly admits that real fashion didn’t come into her life until she was in her 50’s when she had “lost weight and made money”…as she says, she didn’t feel body positive when she was heavier. During perimenopause she realised that White Carbs were not a food group and that red wine was probably not something to be ingested daily!    We talk about her love of vintage designer bags (too expensive new), her 100+ pairs of Adidas trainers and the fact that she is not convinced by the recent resurgence of M&S…she is not a woman who is short of an opinion and that opinion is delivered with her fantastic sense of humour. Caroline is fabulously direct and pragmatic about the way she approaches life and business…she recounts some toe curling moments during her recent fund raising round for Skin Rocks… generally involving men …I can’t write what she asked one potential investor…  I hope you enjoy this episode. Thank you to the wonderfully down to earth, witty, perceptive and entertaining Caroline Hirons x

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• Best of Season 8 - Style DNA - Season 8⁠⁠

  In this extra episode of Style DNA we celebrate the highlights of Season 8 …reliving some of those moments when my guests shared insights, transparency and at times hilarity ….Style DNA Season 9 will be launching in mid September with a fabulous mix of guests in store…in the meantime I hope you enjoy this episode …ooh , and please do me a favour and hit the subscribe button if you haven’t already … thank you x

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