“Fashion is the armour to survive the reality of everyday life.”

“Fashion is the armour to survive the reality of everyday life.”

Bill Cunningham

Just as food is way much more than sustenance for most of us, what we wear is infinitely more than just practical or necessary. Fashion may be considered by some as frivolous or superficial but actually clothes can deeply affect our psychological state, they can change how we feel and they can, most definitely, enhance our feeling of well-being.

Kate Spade once said, ‘playing dress-up begins at age five and never truly ends’ and this really sums it up. Clothes allow us to dress UP, to put on that ‘armour’ Mr Cunningham referred to - and to be the person we want to be. When we are on the sofa watching TV in our pyjamas, we are a different version of ourselves than when we put on that killer silk suit for the office.

Katie Hutley is the publisher of Fabric, a monthly, glossy lifestyle magazine which covers fashion alongside people, interiors and property. She works from home a lot of the time and initially found this to be a dream as it took a lot of the pressure off. But she increasingly found that how she put her game face on - and we are not just talking about her face here - made a massive difference to who she feels she is and how she approaches her day.

“Even if I am not leaving my home office, I still need my ‘armour’. I decided to just wear all the clothes that had been gathering dust since the days when I led a more corporate lifestyle. So I still put on that dress. Why not? What am I waiting for? It really helps me and my mood. I have to really think about who I want to present myself as to the people who are not in my natural circle. I sometimes catch myself just in time - instead of dressing like them to fit in and to be something I am not, I decide to bring ‘me’ to the party - and so I choose my outfit accordingly. Thinking about what I am wearing helps me think more clearly about what I am bringing to the table.”

Serena Hood is the CEO of online shopping platform Collagerie, which she cofounded with renowned fashion editor and creative director Lucinda Chambers. Remember making collages or mood boards? This is precisely what Collagerie does. It curates an entire look, theme or feel, drawn not from just one brand or store, but instead by searching out and sourcing the very best designs. Collagerie extends beyond clothes to home furnishings, art and beauty – fashion is not limited to what we wear.

Serena and Lucinda met while both working at fashion industry bible Vogue, where Serena was Executive Fashion Editor and Lucinda Fashion Director. They originally had no intention of setting up a business together, but when they both left Conde Nast and were chatting over coffee, they observed that, in their role as editors, they always had their antennae switched on to great designs and intriguing ideas. They spent their lives editing the excess of products available to shoppers, identifying the best of the best, and mentally moodboarding looks, and that put them in the perfect position to share their know-how. Thus, Collagerie was born.

“We believed that what was missing from the landscape was a destination that felt inspirational and inclusive, so no matter what your budget, there’d be something for you. An H&M bath mat can sit happily next to a Bottega Veneta handbag. It all started with creating ‘moods’ and inviting customers into a world where they felt inspired to shop.”

Serena believes trust is a crucial element. Just as readers trust what a favourite magazine tells them, Collagerie inspires confidence with its beautifully crafted edits that have done the hard work for shoppers. They cut through the online overload that can be overwhelming and off putting. The team is out there, sourcing inspiration and stylish design – whether celebrating familiar brands or introducing niche labels you’d never heard of.

For some, like Serena, shopping is a joy. But for others, it can be stressful and confusing. Far from inspiring well-being, it can trigger the opposite effect. Collagerie removes all the pressure and makes shopping fun.

Serena’s clear talent for finding the best is a skill she inherited from her mother – a model with a passion for shopping. Together they would scour Portobello Market to find eye-catching vintage pieces at affordable prices. After school in London, Serena went to America and while other friends were getting jobs in Wall Street and the tech industry, she yearned for a life in fashion. Her first job was an internship with Marc Jacobs, a designer she had always loved. Fifteen years after that first job, her passion for great design remains undimmed, and with Collagerie she took it to the next level, bringing the joy back to shopping and helping us all find pieces we’ll love forever.

While fashion may well be fundamental to our wellbeing, a lot has been written about how the industry is one of the most harmful when it comes to the wellbeing of our planet.

What is Collagerie’s view on sustainability?

“Our whole ethos is about buying what you LOVE. It’s about quality over quantity and shopping ‘the one thing over everything’ – the mantra we launched with and stick to today: It is also about bringing joy. I become emotionally connected with what I buy. That doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. You can buy a Zara dress and love it so much you keep it for 10 years. We look at cost per wear, and if you love something you will pull it out again and again.”

Part of our ‘armour’ is the fragrance we choose. A perfume not only makes us linger in the memory of others; it also can totally transform our own sense of well-being. On Chiltern Street (an area full of unique and special shops and restaurants) you will find anatome, an ‘apothecary’ for today but inspired from the ones from days long since gone, when people chose herbal remedies above pharmaceutical ones. anatome was founded by Brendan Murdock and its products are all about well-being. There is a sleep collection (let's face it who doesn’t feel infinitely

better after a good eight hours?), supplements, home fragrances, skincare - and a range of six perfumes; these are Focus, Order, Support - these three are specifically designed to help when you are travelling - be it across time zones or simply the City, Expression - which enhances your confidence allowing you to express your true self, Balance - this grounds and centres you, instilling a sense of calm and Energy - which refreshes and revitalises Made from natural botanical extracts with no unnecessary synthetics, these fragrances really do deliver what they are named after.

“I spend a lot of money on shoes. Someone once said that if you are not in your shoes, you are in your bed - so I figure if I am going to be in my shoes half my life, they need to be good ones!”

Brendan says;

Dennis McDonald“'We created our exquisite wellbeing parfums to support you through the week, whether you need to find more balance, focus or energy, our eau de parfums combine extraordinary natural botanicals to help with the challenges of each day. We truly believe the power and science of scent can enhance your well-being in 2025, and of course they all smell amazing.”

Stephanie Anais is about to start her training contract at Clifford Chance LLP. A self confessed fashion and beauty addict, Stephanie originally thought a corporate career was not for her and wanted “a glamorous lifestyle”. Having worked at a hairdressers since the age of 12, she left school at 16, got a job in Newbury and then moved to London “to be where it all is” and joined John Frieda where her dreams to live that glamorous lifestyle started to become reality as she attended and assisted at fashion shoots with the world’s top models and stars.

After a few years however, she decided she did want a career that was going to challenge her more intellectually. With no clear idea what exactly she

wanted to do she did temporary work in various places to determine the right path for her. Fate led her to Radcliffe Chambers, her first introduction to the legal world and straight away knew this was her destiny. She decided she wanted to be a solicitor rather than a barrister, to work in commercial law, and to get a job at Clifford Chance. Only Clifford Chance. She applied for the SPARK scheme and didn’t get it. But Stephanie is nothing if not persistent; she tried again the following year and was successful. She says she has a very firm idea about what she wants to wear when she starts at Clifford Chance.

“I applied for Clifford Chance - and only thembecause it is one of, if not the best, law firms in the world. I put all my eggs in one basket with Clifford Chance. I want Clifford Chance to be an extension of me and for me to be an extension of Clifford Chance so I will always look and act professional and put together. I have always loved that really classy, elegant, professional look. I like chic yet classic outfits in neutral colours with hair and makeup looking natural and polished.”

Whilst affordability is important, Stephanie prefers to buy better and buy less. She spends a lot of time looking for really well made clothes and good fabrics that she absolutely loves so she can then wear them for a couple of years. She also looks for clothes that can be versatile; she has some trousers from Claude Pierlot that she can style in different ways to create different looks.

“I spend a lot of money on shoes. Someone once said that if you are not in your shoes, you are in your bed - so I figure if I am going to be in my shoes half my life, they need to be good ones! I have three pairs of shoes for work; Gucci loafers, heeled Louboutins that I have had for 10 years (friends buy cheaper copies and they literally last for 2 months; I don’t have the time for that) and some Chanel pumps.”

Stephanie says that when she is in a good outfit, she feels energised, ready to take on the world and like she can conquer anything. This sounds just what is required from a Clifford Chance lawyer.

So next time you go to the wardrobe, take a breath, think. Clothes really do maketh the man. And their moods. So choose carefully - it could determine both who you are and how you feel for that day.