MY FASHIONABLE LIFE: AMANDA WAKELEY

From 1980s modelling to sustainable style, the British designer, 58, on what 30 years in fashion has taught her

The designer on sustainable style, fashion in the 1980s and what 30 years in the industry has taught her

I HAD TWO VERY STYLISH GRANDMOTHERS:

Muriel and Monica. They were 180 degrees apart. Muriel was pretty understated, and Monica was a bit of a boy racer – she drove ambulances through the Blitz – and was a brave, sporty woman. They weren’t fashion-obsessed, they were just inspiring. They taught me the power of clothes – that they could change how you felt about yourself.

PEOPLE HAD SO MUCH FUN WITH CLOTHES IN THE 197Os.

I grew up in Cheshire, and it was a bit… country. There were charity shops, though. So I would trawl through those as a teen, finding things and cutting them up. My mother was very tolerant of me taking things to pieces and recreating them.

MY FIRST JOB WAS IN A MEN’S BOUTIQUE WHEN I WAS 16.

It was all tailoring and I’m still really inspired by that process, the way pieces are cut and constructed. I’d spend every penny I earned on fabric, making new looks for myself.

MY FIRST MILESTONE PURCHASE WAS PROBABLY A CHANEL BAG,

and price-per-wear it was more than worth it. I wore it to death. It would elevate my whole look and I learnt that just adding one transformative accessory or piece could make all the difference.

NEW YORK WAS A HUGE INFLUENCE ON ME.

I moved there and modelled in the 1980s – it was such a liberating culture shock. It had great energy and, with my job, I spent all day walking to go-sees, then out at night. I remember thinking that Debbie Harry was the coolest thing on the planet: high glamour and sexy, in such a New York way.

THE MONEY IN THE 198Os WAS CRAZY

. It was very hedonistic. I wasn’t the next Cindy Crawford but when I was modelling in New York, I could work for a couple of days, then not work for the next few. I definitely used it as an opportunity to experiment with style. I had the requisite perm. And let’s not talk about the make-up.

MY ATTITUDE TO STYLE HAS CHANGED A LOT.

Excess isn’t something I’m proud of any more, or that I can relate to now at all.

THE MOST VALUABLE THING I OWN IS MY FATHER’S CASHMERE SWEATER.

Because it’s sentimental. I commissioned a big red sweater for him, and he’s gone now. Whenever I put that on, it’s like my father is all around me.

IF YOU FEEL GOOD, DOES THE REST MATTER?

Clothes are meant to be joyful, empowering, cocooning – all of those things. Right now, for me, that’s huge, swaddling knitwear. Enjoy your clothes.

MY ADVICE? DON’T SAVE CLOTHES FOR ‘BEST’.

My theory is, the more money you spend on something, the more you should wear it. Don’t be afraid of doing that. ‘Best’ is now.