FASHION DIRECTOR, DESIGNER, AND CO-FOUNDER OF COLLAGERIE
In this episode of "Life in Charms," I had the pleasure of speaking with the brilliant stylist and tastemaker, Lucinda Chambers. Lucinda's journey is nothing short of extraordinary, beginning with her unconventional childhood in London, where she moved 18 times while always staying within the same area. She started her career at Vogue under the legendary Beatrix Miller and spent 36 years in the fashion industry, working alongside icons like Alex Schulman and Grace Coddington.
We explored the significance of her first charm, a penguin, which represents her mother and their shared sense of humour. This charming piece is crafted from black diamonds set in with black rhodium, featuring a polished white gold tummy and feet, along with a little black diamond eye. Lucinda shared heart-warming stories about her mother's practical yet whimsical nature, led us to a deeper conversation about the emotional weight of possessions, and the beauty in the giving.
Lucinda's next charm, a tutu, sparked laughter as she recounted her memorable first day at Vogue, where she wore a homemade tutu that turned heads for all the wrong reasons. The tutu charm is designed in yellow gold with a textured finish to mimic tulle, adorned with pink sapphires set in white gold for the leaves, and features legs with pink ballet shoes. We discussed the creative process behind fashion shoots, emphasising that for Lucinda, storytelling is at the heart of her work. She described how she uses clothes to convey narratives, often drawing inspiration from her surroundings and the emotions of the models.
As we moved through her charms, we touched on themes of following dreams, the importance of decoration in her life, and the collaborative nature of her current venture, Collagerie. Lucinda explained how she and her partner created a platform that curate’s fashion and home decor, emphasising the beauty of mixing high and low styles.
The next charm, a sun, is made of with diamond eyes and moving rays, symbolising her pursuit of creativity and light throughout her career. We also discussed her charm representing the letter "T," crafted simply with diamonds, which reflects her connection to her children, all of whom have names starting with "T."
Finally, we discussed the significance of roses in her life, symbolising beauty and variety. The features a yellow gold stem and leaves with a slight movement, adorned with rubies for the petals and a green tsavorite on one leaf. Lucinda shared how roses have been a recurring motif in her work, representing her love for decoration, variety and transformation.
Lucinda's reflections on her career, family, and the importance of staying playful in life left me inspired and grateful for the opportunity to share her story. This episode is a celebration of creativity, humour, and the transformative power of fashion.
