Connections: how family inspires our style

Connections: how family inspires our style

Three of the faces of our Holiday campaign – MOTHER Jacqui and her daughters Charlotte and Georgia – share the style lessons they’ve learned from each other and the special pieces that keep them feeling connected. By GRACE COOK

Jacqui: “I would describe my wardrobe as ‘classic with a twist’. I like color; I will often wear quite understated pieces with a bright sweater and accessorize them with patterned scarves. My heritage is Nigerian, and Nigerians live and breathe fashion – they always wear very joyful colors, which has always inspired my eye.”

Georgia: “I would say mine is eclectic. I like clashing patterns and color, too – we both get that from Mom. I tend to go for oversized silhouettes, especially with coats. I like pieces that feel quite grungey and are interesting to look at when worn together.”

Charlotte: “I get a lot of my influences from Georgia, but I’m a bit girlier than she is. I like pastel shades and wear a lot of cute cropped cardigans with big jeans; it’s a little 1990s. I like lots of jewelry, too. Georgia was my style icon when I was younger; I got into clothes when she started shopping. Fashion became cool to me after that.”

After I had the children, I put a lot of clothes that I had stopped wearing aside, thinking maybe the girls would wear them one day

G: “I always steal clothes from Mom. She has lots of 1990s cropped tops and cool T-shirts from when she’s been traveling, and I now wear lots of velvet from her clubbing days. I think I get my love of outerwear from her: she has a corduroy coat that I like to wear. Mom has a great eye and good taste – she can definitely tell when something is going to look good or bad.”

C: “I wear lots of Mom’s T-shirts, too, but Georgia can style them in an outfit better than I can. She’ll be wearing six pieces of clothing – a sweater and a jacket, plus a top with a hat and everything, and put it all together so it looks really good. I’m not as ambitious; I need just one thing. Georgia does encourage me to be braver. I also love delving into Mom’s bag collection.”

J: “After I had the children, I put a lot of clothes that I had stopped wearing aside, thinking maybe the girls would wear them one day.”

G: “Your style is the first thing someone notices about you – it’s a good way to express yourself without saying anything. It can make you feel like a different person, or it can change how you feel about yourself.”

C: “I’ve missed getting dressed up this year. Lots of people have bought loungewear, but I went the opposite way and bought more eveningwear that I know I probably won’t wear until next year, but it’s an intentional purchase. I have dressed up at home a few times recently. Doing your hair and makeup can really make you feel better about yourself.”

J: “It’s about the ritual. What you wear really influences how you feel and can give you a sense that you’re ready to take on the world.”

J: “For me, it would be Marni, as the clothing is quirky but very wearable; I have a lot of Marni bags. And also Balmain, as I am into tailored outerwear and enjoy that military style, which is quite dramatic and a little like armor.”

G: “I love Vivienne Westwood; I have a few of her pieces — I fell in love with her designs after a friend bought a beautiful Vivienne Westwood tailored coat. The eveningwear designs are incredibly opulent; I would love a Westwood red corseted dress. It wouldn’t be an everyday piece, but it would be very festive.”

Your style is the first thing someone notices about you – it’s a good way to express yourself without saying anything. It can make you feel like a different person, or it can change how you feel about yourself

J: “For Georgia, it would be a very fun dress she bought for Charlotte that she has since taken ownership of – it’s a green dress with tigers all over it. And for Charlotte, it’s a puffer jacket from when she was little, as well as crop tops and little backpacks. They remind me of things I used to wear in my dancing days.”

G: “Mom has a red velvet scarf that is beaded – she wears it a lot over the holidays or when she’s going out somewhere nice in the evening. Whenever I see something similar, it reminds me of her. Mom’s smells of her perfume, even when she isn’t wearing it.”

J: “Smell is very evocative, just as clothes can be.”

C: “Mom loves long coats and loafers. If I picture her in my mind, that’s what I see – it’s very classically her.”

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