How would you describe your style?

I like nice things. I don’t wear anything too flashy or that has a lot of colour and patterns, but I do like to have something different!

How long have you been interested in fashion?

When I was about three years old I remember the minister visiting our house and I was dressed up in my mother’s clothes and high heels, and the minister said, ‘Oooh! You’ve dressed up!’ and I answered, ‘no, this is my new look!’ – Dior’s new look range came out in 1947 you see, but it probably took a year to reach Drefach.

So, your interest in clothes goes back to your childhood?

Every morning before school there’d be an argument because I didn’t want to wear the clothes my mother wanted me to. I remember my mother taking me to a shop in Llanelli to buy new clothes and I tried on everything in the shop, but I didn’t like anything, and the shop assistant told me, ‘you’ll never find a husband you’re much too fussy!’ And he was right!

How did your interest in fashion develop?

I knew from an early age that I wanted something more in life. I didn’t know back then what it was, I suppose I was too young. But I remember my friends saying that they wanted to get married, have children, a house, television, double bed and all those things. But I wasn’t interested in them at all! I wanted to travel along the Silk Road and go to the Bosphorus. When I went to Paris, I fell in love with the place and I try and go there at least once or twice a year. I like to travel a lot, to places like Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt – and I’ve also been to India, Istanbul and Hungary. Wherever I go I always buy some sort of clothing, jewellery or textiles.

This robe is fantastic, where did it come from?

This is an Antique Moroccan robe. I went to Marrakech with my sisters to celebrate my 60th birthday and they bought it for me. It feels strange wearing it because it’s so fragile, but it’s beautiful. It’s made from silk with gold braiding down the front. It’s a strange garment but it brings back fond memories of my trip to Marrakech.

What has influenced your style over the years?

I left Drefach in 1964 to go to university in East Anglia. Before that, I think my style icon was Audrey Hepburn, wearing suits and high heels. The highlight of my year was going to the chapel for the annual ‘gymanfa ganu’ wearing a new suit, hat, shoes, gloves and bag. But when I became a student I wore jeans and big sweaters. When I went to Paris in the 60s as a student, everyone wore black polo necks and black berets. It was like going from Audrey Hepburn to Juliette Greco.

Why have you got a Kimono?

This is an Antique Japanese robe; I bought it years ago in a shop near Portobello Road. The shop only had tie kimonos and you were able to go back after a year and part-exchange! So you can buy one, save up some money and then take it back and buy one that’s more expensive. I’ve changed around three or four kimonos to get to this one – it’s lovely!

When you lost your partner you changed your way of life didn’t you?

Cedric was fabulous! We met when I was on a course and he was a Dean of Students. We fell in love straight away! Before I met Cedric I was slim, and the only things I had in my fridge were a bottle of white wine, yoghurt and nail-varnish. But after moving in together, the fridge was packed full and everything was great. I was so happy. Before, I’d never have put on weight, but of course my weight started to creep up. Then we moved from London, to Stratford Upon Avon as I’d been appointed as Vice-President of the college there. But two days before the move, Cedric died suddenly! So I moved to Stratford on my own, not knowing anyone and working at what proved to be a very stressful job and I started comfort eating. All I did was work and eat – and slowly I had to buy clothes that were bigger and bigger!

Did your style change, as you became larger?

They don’t make nice clothes for larger sizes, and if they do, they’re terribly expensive! You’ve got to look harder and be more creative when putting things together. Often, people dress incorrectly for their size and shape. You can always get your hair done nicely, wear make up, buy pretty shoes and jewellery – but the clothes have to be plain. A lot of people used to comment that I wore smart clothes and that I was elegant, but in the back of my mind I always thought ‘elegant for a fat person!’

Is this one of those clothes you wore when you were larger?

This is a skirt – yet it’s square! It’s actually Chanel, and I thought it looked great with the tweed pattern and fringing. It wasn’t loose on me at all– it was actually quite fitted!

This looks like something you used to wear also.

This sweater’s from Dawn French’s shop. I still wear it now around the house, but as a dress over leggings. But when I was bigger it fitted as a jumper!

What made you decide to lose weight?

I was fed-up of not being able to buy the clothes I wanted to and living how I wanted to live. I used to hate going on aeroplanes or going to small cafes in Paris – everything was so close together and I felt so big! One day I decided to go to Weight Watchers and I lost six stones in two years. It made such a difference to my life. I felt like I could wear anything and that was an amazing feeling, especially after being overweight for twenty years.

What do your clothes mean to you?

I know it sounds a bit shallow to talk about clothes like this, and I do have other interests! But I do love clothes and always have done. It’s the way great designs and materials can make you feel so great and the way clothes can make you confident in yourself, and that’s worth it!