MY NANA, MY MUSE
Meet the other 91-year-old style queen shaping London fashion
Shrimps is one of London Fashion Week’s buzziest labels – with its signature vibrant faux-fur coats being worn by everyone from Alexa Chung to singer Lily Allen and It Girl Poppy Delevingne. And to its 25-year-old founder, Hannah Weiland, her grandmother, 91-year-old Esther Weiland, is her ultimate style muse.
“I’ve always loved Nana’s outfits,” says Hannah. “It’s not just how she puts things together and the care she takes over everything, but also the fact that it’s something that continues to give her so much joy in her nineties.”
Esther Weiland grew up in Bow, east London, and trained as a milliner. Although she now lives in Southgate, she sticks religiously to her idiosyncratic style of dressing. “I wear vintage, but by that I mean things I’ve had for years,” she says in her softened Cockney accent. She is known for only wearing two colours at a time – today it’s black and brown, but grey and pink or camel and gold are other favourites too. Her penchant for leopardprint has also been a big influence on Hannah, who often adds a leopard collar to give her coats their maximalist effect. “Oh yes, I have a leopard scarf that I wrap around my head and tie with a cameo brooch,” says Esther.
As with all stylish women, Esther has established her own style tricks that set her apart. “I make my own clip-on earrings from necklaces and paint rings with varnish to match my nails,” she says, gesturing to her rose pink ring and matching manicure. She is also proof that if you choose your purchases carefully, they’re unlikely ever to go out of fashion. She recently wore a cobalt blue John Lewis hat, bought for Hannah’s parents’ wedding 27 years ago, to an important family occasion, while a sailor dress from 1945 is often borrowed by her granddaughters.
Of course, her designer granddaughter is not the only one to have remarked on Esther’s fabulous look. Whenever Hannah posts a shot of her grandma on Instagram, comments include: “Nanas rule!” and “What a babe!!!”, while in the studio “Your nana will love that!” is a constant refrain.
As for Esther; she remains selfdeprecating. “It’s all very flattering.”