The Perfect Red Dress For A Trip Down Memory Lane

I love, love, love an LBD (as those who follow me and my LBD-obsessed ways here, already know), but I do like to cheat on my go-to black with it’s classic sister from another mister: red, adoring the whole spectrum from scarlet to ruby, peach, crimson russet and even oxblood and maroon.

My love for red goes deep, (as you can see) with many declaring it to be ‘my colour’. The hue which suits my skin tone and importantly, my personality. Red is bold and I suppose so am I too!

And of course, I feel a bit face-less without red lips and those with a red frock go together like Hollywood and glamour.

Red is one kick-ass colour. It means business right? It’s the Beyoncé of the rainbow, so where better than to rock it than spending the evening at my former Sixth Form Notre Dame where I judged their film awards.

Thank you to House of Fraser for the Uttam Boutique beautiful cowl neck spotty dress with it’s flattering hold ‘you in’ style lacy dress which made me feel extra fierce!

This dress is perfect for cocktails with the girls, special occasions and of course giving a speech at your old sixth form!

Dress c/o Uttam Boutique, House of Fraser, cardigan is Zara, shoes with bows Gabor from years ago, bag neverfull by Louis Vuitton. Hoops are Topshop, bracelet one I ‘borrowed’ from my Mum she’s not getting back (Sorry Mum). 

…Joining former alumni and an auditorium full of parents and students, I gave a brief speech about my career which hopefully motivated all those 16 year old’s staring back at me to work hard, keep trying out new things so as to discover their passions and vitally, embrace the internet as a means to showcase and share their work enabling those doors of opportunity to be opened!

It was pretty moving standing up and sharing my journey with my past self! To feedback and help others who were once in your position (literally as I remembered sitting in that very room not long ago) see their potential.

It’s twofold too as doing so helped me reflect on my own roots- and reminded me of how much I still hope to achieve.

My two years at Notre Dame and then Goldsmiths where I gained my BA and MA, were incredibly formative periods of my time, great turning points for me both professionally and personally.

Those institutions made me embrace and work ‘out of the box’ (I was the only student to ever create video art in my Art and Design A’Level and if memory doesn’t fail me (#gettingold), it resulted in me gaining the highest grade that year across the country) but more than anything, my time there helped me grow into myself. To like myself -after the crushing of all self-esteem otherwise known as high school.

My A’Levels and time at Notre Dame helped me believe in myself and truly value my potential. What I had to offer. For the first time in my academic life, I felt nurtured and respected; teachers believed in me, more than that, they championed me.

That safety net enabled me to thrive.

Education really is the gift that keeps on giving and to be able to pay back even the tiniest of thank yous to Notre Dame that night, meant so much to me.

The evening was made extra special as I took along my fabulous friend Caroline, someone who I’d met at that very Sixth Form many years ago and thanks to FB and her kick-ass PT sessions, I’ve reconnected with.

Together, we had the BEST night and definitely felt 16 again (just with better eyebrows)!

The films and music videos the students had created were simply outstanding, so sophisticated, slick and engaging-so much so that my job of choosing a winner in the drama section was a flipping tough one!

I’m still sleeping with one eye open after watching the horror film I awarded gold to, so well done to the students!

Thank you too to Notre Dame for one heck of an emotional, but uplifting night.

The empowering effect you had on me aged 16, as that night testifies, still resonates today. Thank you x

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