TIME AGAIN for AGELESS STYLE and TODAY I am introducing YOU ALL to a married couple in ENGLAND.They recently had their photos taken by DAWN a friend from Cape Town , South Africa who won an AWARD for her PHOTOGRAPHY this year at age 59, which I have contacted her and she will give you a recap of Barbara & Bill below!
CONTESSA SAYS…….I found BARBARA on INSTAGRAM and was immediately drawn to HER.Her hair her style her DOGS and of course her place of residence!Then I found out about HER HUSBAND and said ,”Will MARVELOUS MISTER BILL answer the questions TOO?”
You will find his answers AFTER BARBARA’s …………….
THEY MAKE A FANTASTIC COUPLE SO pour a cup of TEA or wine and have a JOLLY FUN READ!
Let’s Forget about THE PANDEMIC for a few minutes and ENJOY THIS AMAZING COUPLE!
Remember to POP over to my PAL CINDY’s BLOG before or AFTER to see who she is featuring TODAY!
We do this blog in TANDEM and Love sharing.
FUN FACT……we do not tell each other who we are FEATURING So its a surprise for BOTH OF US!
TO SEE CINDY’S POST Please CLICK HERE!
Cindy has a LIFESTYLE BLOG and COVERS MANY MANY TOPICS!
From INTERIOR DESIGN to GARDENING to GREY HAIR and her PICKS for WOMEN who are over 60!
She is THE NICEST PERSON you will ever meet!
SO give her a FOLLOW!
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE on her HOME PAGE!
NOW HERE IS MY PICK FOR AGELESS STYLE!
BARBARA JONES
MARVELOUS MISTER BILL her husband.
Dawn Frogson can be found on INSTAGRAMCLICK BELOW.
BARBARA at 20 years of age……..she just turned 65 in MARCH!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONTH BARBARA!!!
Central dress by Gipsy, Goa.
Dress on the right made to order by the wonderful Madame Hall in Bhuj,on Etsy.
THE OLD Sunday school THEY LIVE IN!
(Contessa is swooning!)
“I made this coat from an old plush table carpet.”
BARBARA’s STUDIO
APPLIQUÉ over a FLORAL PRINT it takes HER about 6 weeks to do and she sells on ETSY!
On her ETSY SHOP called STYLISHMrBill
FLORAL SHOE GAL.
GOT LEOPARD!
Beware THE CONTESSA has eyes for those VELVET SLIPPERS FRONT AND TO THE RIGHT!
DAWN’s PHOTOS BELOW!
BARBARA’s WORDS…………….
I have always had a love of style and textiles, and it has been the central theme of my life. I studied in Manchester UK in the 1970s on one of the first honours degrees in embroidery alongside textiles and fashion. (photos of me in 70s?) Coming from a small town in the North East of England (Bishop Auckland) art and design studies in Manchester opened my eyes to the world of fashion history, design styles, and textiles of the world.
Initially I worked as a freelance textile designer, producing embroidery for fashion and interiors for a wide range of clients. Gradually I was drawn into the world of design education, running an International Textile degree presenting student work in Europe and USA, and eventually to become Deputy Principal at Plymouth College of Art in south west UK, one of the last specialist art colleges. I have always encouraged students to understand how to take their work to market …talent alone is not enough. Alongside my career in education management I have continued to design and make, and to search out unusual textiles from around the world.
I am lucky to live in a large, converted Sunday School, built in 1873, close to the sea in Plymouth. This year is the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower and Pilgrim Fathers and the city is making lots of preparations for our friends from the USA.
Having retired in 2017 in my 60s I have now returned to my original passion for painting and sewing, buying and selling antique textiles, and producing a small collection of new and upcycled garments. I post my work on Instagram under amazingqueenbj and the same hashtag and sell original items on Etsy as Stylish Mr Bill. My artwork is also available to purchase on Etsy as amazingqueenB.
BARBARA’s ARTWORK BELOW!
Lots of my work is to individual order and I am always keen to do an art swap …my work in exchange for someone else’s. I feel that this is often better than needing money and shares the love and talent.
I have a small but happy life with my amazing husband, Mr Bill, and two beautiful dogs ..Larry Labradoodle and Archie Airedale.
How Would You Describe Your Style?
Recently we have had an award-winning fashion photographer from Cape Town staying with us Most of the photographs in this piece are by #the_stylist_who_shoots on Instagram, who is famous for supporting young people from the shanty towns who want to be models. In preparing for the photoshoot, I had to really think about how I see myself. I have never been a slave to commercial fashion … and have never been the standard size to fit the market norms. My style is a mixture of vintage and new, ethnic pieces with a modern twist. Texture, colour, flowing shapes and lots of accessories are an everyday look, but it has to be comfortable.
What Inspires Your Signature Style?
I guess Chinese, Indian and Central Asian garments and fabrics put together with some contemporary pieces give me inspiration. In 2018 I spent 8 weeks travelling in India with my oldest friend and we bought so many treasures that I am still working my way through them. Prior to that trip I was lucky enough to go to India with my job, so I had a head start in knowing where to look for the best things.
I gave up on traditional fashion magazines many years ago but spend many hours looking at particular ideas and inspiration on Instagram and Pinterest. The south west of England has some challenges in travelling to London and Europe so I now work around that with antique markets and on-line splurges.
My dressing room has winter and summer displayed at the change of the season and the rest cleaned and put away for the next year. It is always wonderful to find some treasure that I have forgotten. I no longer buy cheap, throw-away clothing … but prefer to save up for a special piece that will last. My favourite shop in Plymouth is Identity Fashion in the wonderful 18th century Royal William Yard, selling designer items from Bulgaria that work with me and my look.
What is your Favorite Accessory?
Accessories are everything in my style. I have lots of shoes and have recently started to make slippers from vintage fabrics (to order for now). I have never liked high heeled shoes, but have been known to rock a platform now and again. Currently my favourite shoes are from #Mentalembellisher on Instagram, alongside limited-edition Doc Martens.
Whist shoes are number one, scarves, wraps and big jewellery come in closely behind. I love big wraps, embroidered wools for winter, block printed cottons for summer. I also like scarves in my mad hair.
I have lots of jewellery, not of the gold and diamond variety, but old amber, Moroccan beads, coins from India …and I particularly love huge bracelets.
What are your Favorite Color Combinations?
I am definitely an autumn/ winter girl ..loving greens, reds, yellow, browns and oranges.
Of course I also have lots of black dresses that set off a lovely scarf, necklace and coat.
Do you have a signature Piece the Defines Your Style?
I love loose fitting unstructured dresses and exotic coats. Recently I have been making lots of velvet coats, some with embroidery, others with fabulous linings that flash colour and pattern. I also wear lots of beautiful kaftans that I have bought on my travels.
I suppose if any one piece defines my style it would be the beautiful dresses that I have had made by Madame Hall on Etsy This talented makers works in the west of India in a small town in the desert, and her made to order dresses include antique embroidery and beautiful Indian fabrics. They are a steal, exquisitely made, and delivered in beautiful packages in no time.
What are your styling Strengths?
I guess that my biggest strength is that I have collected so much over the years that I have lots to choose from and am no longer afraid of what people will think. Whilst in my studio I can often be found working in embroidered dungarees, but I always make an effort to look stylish in my own way when I go out. I frequently am asked in the street for information about where I buy my things, so hopefully Etsy will be of interest to lots of people.
Do you have a Style Muse?
I love to see Donna Karen in her draped clothes and jewellery. Recently I am very taken by Camilla Franks, the famous Australian designer for her use of fabrics and surface patterns and her strength of character in adversity. Of course I also love Iris Apfel and hope to grow up to be like her..
What are your Favourite Beauty Products?
Tricky one as I don’t really use any beauty products and I have a super sensitive English skin that doesn’t like cosmetics. A tiny bit of kohl and a streak of lipstick is all that I use, but then my hair is my palette.
What Advice do you have for Women over 50?
Be true to yourself …ignore the celebrity culture of youth, thinness, and expensive brands. A size bigger always makes you look better ..tight things only suit a few women. Learn from your mistakes and those of others .. you never look good in shoes that are to high or too tight if you can’t walk in them.
Do you have any Style Rules that you live by, or do you choose to break the rules?
A simple dress with trousers or leggings underneath are stylish and comfortable (better than tights that want to wriggle down). Wear a slip under garment so that your clothes hang nicely.
Have a seasonal wardrobe ..put things away somewhere when you are unlikely to wear them. Always hang clothes on good hangers.
What are your favourite online and or boutique sources?
For vintage textiles I love #salliead on Instagram. She posts things daily and has beautiful one- off pieces. I like the occasional piece from the Swedish designer Gudrun Sjoden that sell on line, and as mentioned previously #Mentalembellisher has the most amazing, well priced, and comfortable shoes. If I am feeling rich I like to go to idaretobe.com that sell Rundholz and Trippen as they sell unusual designs and shapes and roomy sizes.
Do you have a particular diet and or exercise regime you follow?
For a retired person I am always busy ..hence the only exercise is to walk the dogs. I do like to get plenty of sleep.
Do you have any anti aging foods?
Chocolate every time … sorry.
EX ENGLISH TEACHER,ACTOR and ANTIQUE DEALER
THE MARVELOUS MISTER BILL
Photos below taken by Dawn Frogson ………..
We have been a couple since 1980 and our lives have been focussed around the love of beautiful things for fashion and interiors. When I first met Barbara she was already involved in buying and selling antique and vintage clothes …a somewhat rare thing in the north east of England in the 1980s. We found a large supply of beautiful pieces in the north and a ready market in London.
As Barbara was already busy developing her own work and doing a lot of lecturing, I took over the business side and it has stayed that way.
I discovered my own love of stylish clothing and over the years we have shopped the world buying shoes in Florence and Rome, suits in Brussels and Amsterdam, shirts in India and kimonos in Japan. In this period I worked on my love of Japanese martial Arts, Kendo, Jodo and Iaido, learning to speak Japanese and travelling there and across Europe for training events.
I have had a number of businesses linked to textiles and fashion, and have maintained a strong interest in buying and selling antiques. Now retired from teaching English as a foreign language, and having moved to a new area, much of our life is taken up visiting antique fairs and auctions.
How Would You Describe Your Style MISTER BILL?
I love classic English tailoring with a twist. From the early days of the designers Paul Smith and Nigel Cabourne, I have worn checked suits, brogues, patterned shirts, waistcoats and swaggering tweed coats. Barbara loves to find vintage pieces for me and I often say that she dresses me up like a doll …. I am Ken to her Barbie. I suppose I should be grateful I am ‘Ken’ and not Grayson Perry! Thankfully I am a standard size and rarely put on weight.
What Inspires Your Signature Style?
My style does vary …. From relaxed patched denim jeans (stitched by Barbara of course) to a stylish 3 piece suit. I love linen suits and in the past I have made my own when I couldn’t find one to buy.
I am not a great follower of fashion but I guess we can all be influenced by the world around us. I love to wear Japanese traditional clothes and I guess my acting experience helps me to carry off the odd outré piece.
What is your Favourite Accessory?
Shoes and nice socks. When Barbara travelled to Italy to design trade fairs frequently I was lucky to get lots of pairs of fine knee high socks from Milan and Florence.
What are your Favourite Colour Combinations?
I love black and red, tartan checks of various colours.
Do you have a signature Piece the Defines Your Style?
I have a fabulous McGee checked suit … Irish tweed in unusual colours of gold, rust and teal. A friend who owned a menswear boutique asked me to buy it because nobody else could carry it off with style.
I also treasure a pair of black cowboy boots that I bought from Kenneth Cole in Amsterdam 30 years ago …and they are still in great condition as I look after my clothes.
What are your styling Strengths?
Ha Ha … I guess that Barbara puts outfits together for me.
Do you have a Style Muse?
All those stylish men of 40s and 50s films. We knew how to dress then.
What Advice do you have for Men over 50
Wear what suits you …but be well groomed and think about how to put items together.
Do you have any Style Rules that you live by, or do you choose to break the rules?
I don’t really like casual sportswear …other than for sports. Trainers/sneakers Are not my thing.
What are your favourite online and or boutique sources?
Not really …I like to shop in Zara in Europe when we visit cities.
Do you have a particular diet and or exercise regime you follow?
Until I was 59 I was very active-sporty. From age 31 to 59 I trained in Japanese weapons arts – usually for 3-4 evenings a week. For a retired person with a poorly ankle exercise is limited other than outdoor swimming in the summer as we live by the sea. My other activity is to walk the dogs.
I do like to get plenty of sleep.
Do you have any anti-ageing foods
Nope.
THANK YOU BARBARA AND MARVELOUS MISTER BILL AS THIS WAS A DELIGHT TO GET TO KNOW YOU BOTH BETTER!I HOPE ONCE THE CORONA VIRUS HAS BEEN DE-FUSED I CAN HOP ON AN AIRPLANE AND COME VISIT!THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SHARING DAWN’s PHOTOS WITH US!
IT’S ALL SO CREATIVE AND BEAUTIFUL!
PLEASE LEAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT FOR THESE TWO IN THE COMMENT AREA BELOW!
BE WELL AND HEALTHY!
XXXX
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