My knees are buggered but I love my legs
Philippa 47 separated although they shares the same house with their 2 children. A Milliner by trade, now works part time as a stylist and lecturer.
How are you?
I am very happy girl, but I know it will change when I have a menopausal downer.
How do you feel about the weather?
The weather has a big effect on my mood. I’ve noticed it much more since I’ve got older. I love the autumn and the spring, but what I really love most is lying in bed listening to the rain.
How do you think other people see you?
I have no idea and wouldn't like to hazard a guess. I think it would crucify me. I'd get too paranoid.
How do you feel about body image?
I really hate the way other women bash each other about body image and the press and social media enable that to happen. It's a form of bullying. I wish we had more self esteem to enable us to have better body image. It's horrific out there, especially on Instagram. Last year I worked with a famous singer on a photo shoot, when I told people, the first thing they would ask me was, 'Is she fat?' What is that about? Women don't do themselves any favours. It's our job to teach our children to love their bodies, respect themselves and realise that they are lovely human beings.
What are your dreams?
I once had a dream to sit on one of those huge cream cakes from Patisserie Valerie, so I did and it was licked off me! (laughing out loud) On a more serious note my dream is for my girls to be happy and my daughter who has ADHD to be accepted. And world peace of course!
What do you like about yourself?
I have a good heart and I think about other people. I’ve got great legs, my knees are buggered but I love my legs. When I teach I bring out the best in my students - I'm proud of that. When I go shopping I always find a bargain and I like that I stop and chat to old people in the street. I think it's my Northern upbringing.
How do you best express yourself?
Through fashion and my collection of things. I have a huge collection of; snow globes, 1960s glass wear, star clocks, fabric, vintage jigsaws and for some reason I seem to have collected over fifty white porcelain dishes - There's too much shit in my life.
Who or what inspires you?
Inspiration for me come from a leaf or a flower - the finer detail of nature. I find inspiration in lots of things; colour, my Mums memory, art. My friends inspire me as do my kids.
What’s your most memorable experience?
Being in hospital when I was 14 having my breast reconstruction. I had Poland syndrome, which in my case meant I only had one boob, so they had to pull the muscle from my back and pad my breast with an implant. After the construction they tied the drains to the chair. My memory is the pain, oh the pain - each time I stood up I forgot I had these drains attached to my armpits - it hurt so much. You’d think after I’d done it once I would learn, but I kept doing it over and over again.