Diary of a Fashion Fanatic: February 2012

Perceived as eccentric, especially by her neighbours, this deceivingly sharp woman has an array of hidden talents and a private life that has been marred with upset and adversity. Despite this, she has overcome it all with sheer tenacity and hard work, and now maintains a family whilst owning a successful business that is going from strength to strength.

A child of the 1970’s, Catherine Wright had a somewhat eclectic childhood. From her glamourous yet evil step mothers influence, which consisted of day trips to Harvey Nichols and Biba, to her mums theatre background and an early knack for lacing a corset, Catherine was always going to be a fashion conscious woman. Starting secondary school was where she found her fashion feet, and the DIY ethos from the punk/new romantic era was everywhere. “A friend and I would buy the newspaper on a Friday and make a schedule for all the jumble sales that were happening on the Saturday, and then spend our whole Saturday trekking from one to another,” Catherine explained nostalgically, describing how they would return home with huge black sacks laden with their haul. Spreading all their bargains across the floor to examine what they had bought, her Dad’s input was simple: “I hope you’re going to wash those first!”

This love for buying second hand or vintage clothing is something that continued through every stage of her life, and developed into a skill for altering clothing and making something new from something old. “I am always looking for what I can use rather than what I can buy. It concerns me to bring more ‘stuff’ into a world that is already so full of stuff.” The image of Catherine at the first gig she attended, which she went to alone, is a perfect example of this. Having always been a bigger than average woman, she explains that although she wanted to be a Miss Selfridge girl, that was never a possibility. This is where some of her inspiration for altering second hand clothes came from, as she could make things specifically for herself. “I went to see Elvis Costello in Southampton when I was about 16 years old, and wore men’s pinstripe trousers that I tailored and a men’s shirt, both from charity shops,” She says almost giggling at the memory, “I sewed sparkly green lurex fabric to the lapels of a men’s jacket to emanate a wrestling referee. They were very popular at the time.”

Perhaps the constant presence that the fashion world had in 48 year old Catherine’s life is what prompted her to somewhat tentatively set up her own business with a friend around six years ago. Spybaby Vintage began as a £250 investment to sell items online, quickly outgrowing her back bedroom and then her business partner Donna’s spare bedroom also. Moving into the basement of a coffee shop is where the seed was sown regarding opening their own store, although Catherine was still adamant at that point that this was an awful idea. “I was determined I would never, ever, ever open a shop. Although uploading items to eBay every Monday was a blooming faff, it still seemed much more accessible than opening a shop.” However, due to her partner deciding she no longer wanted to be a part of the business, she rented an old office space month by month and, fortunately, Hepwrights was born.

It turns out holding off on opening her own shop was a stroke of luck, as her life was slowly swept away from under her. From discovering her daughter had a heart problem and needed surgery to her son falling ill, Catherine spent a lot of time going back and forth to hospitals. This would be enough to rock most people’s existence, but the adversity did not stop there. A car accident resulting in her car being written off fortunately left her uninjured, although this was not the cherry on the bad luck cake. A house fire left Catherine and her two children homeless, robbing them of almost all of their belongings. During this period, sheer tenacity caused her to realise she had to get back on her feet, and back to Hepwrights. Simply out of a need to make money and get her life back on track, she opened up her little office space once a month for a sale – and has never looked back since.

Hepwrights has been accredited by national stylists and journalists for its beautiful collections and gorgeous store, and something Catherine takes great pride in. “It’s such a homemade, cobbled together business. Every day we just cobble it together and try and make it work,” she explains, and perhaps this is down to her OBVIOUS creative spirit. Something that really sets her apart from your average vintage shop owner is her tangible love for every aspect of the clothing, from its construction to its story. Her opinion is that too much mystery is created surrounding how clothes are made, and she always takes great pleasure at looking at how clothes are constructed – examining seams and darts and linings to reveal the items secrets. “I love the craft of clothes. I have always fantasised about doing a photoshoot of clothes inside out, revealing their hidden secrets and showing off the skill and technique that never gets appreciated” Catherine says, with visible sincerity.

Listing Patricia Field’s New York boutique and Selfridges and her business inspirations, it is all too clear that Hepwrights could be around for a very long time. “I love people who go their own way in life, and not just regarding fashion,” She explains, and watching this incredible woman it is hard not to be sucked into her way of thinking. With an incredible presence, Catherine Wright is the woman every girl wants to be or be friends with, a feeling I’m sure is firmly imprinted on everyone who is fortunate enough to cross paths with her. However, don’t be concerned if she comes running up to you on the high street wielding a badge. “I have always wanted to make badges with ‘Well Done!’ written on them, and give them to people on the street who look completely unique, like crazy old punks and people covered in tattoos – I’d love it!”