‘Freedom means more to me’
I will remember 2016 as the year when everything changed. David Bowie and Prince, who had defined my youth, both died in the same month, Victoria Wood and Caroline Aherne, who I had laughed at, died soon after. The business I had revitalised was sold. Brexit happened and made me question this country’s values, then trump made me question everything else! It was clearly time for a big change, and that’s what I’m doing.
I bought into Whistles in 2008, with my management team from Topshop, with a vision of making it relevant again for women who wanted great design. We’ve been doing that for the past eight years and the brand was successful. However, we needed additional financing, a sale process was initiated, and it was sold in March. I began to feel that perhaps this was the dawning of a new era both for Whistles and for me. The idea of leaving felt brave, scary, sad and incredibly exciting, but it was the only thing to do.
I realised I’d become defined by my role – something that happened in 2007 when I left Topshop in a similar fashion. One day you are the figurehead of a well-known brand, the next you’re not. If nothing else, this year I’ve realised freedom means more to me than I imagined. When you’ve been working, it’s hard to consider doing anything different, but I now realise that I need not be defined by a role. It’s liberating.
My husband announced he was also ready for a life change, and we jokingly discussed going to live in San Francisco for a year. We often come up with wild plans after a couple of drinks, but this time it stuck. The idea still seems so bodacious, I laugh out loud when I think about it.
In the spring we’re sailing to NY, as our dog Dexter is coming too. We’ll then drive to Vancouver, spend some time there, then meander down the coast to San Francisco. We’ll probably use it as a base for a few months. Apart from the boat ticket, we have nothing booked. I hope we return with an energy for new challenges, but I have no idea what they are yet.