“I have been in retail most of my adult life. In the sixties after two years of supply teaching, and prior to my marriage, I joined the family firm of specialist butches and delicatessens. Here I ran one of the shops and learned to interact with people from all walks of life. I was also more able to understand the psychology of selling.
I learned it was important to listen to my customers and needs and provide both the goods and the service required in a pleasant way and in a comfortable environment.
Clients need always to feel at ease and not be intimidated either by their surroundings or in the way they are addressed by members of staff.
The second stage in retail developed from my childhood – love of sewing. This I had inherited from my grandmother – herself an accomplished seamstress. My prized possession was a sewing machine which I have to this day.
After school, I would help in the factories local to my home in the East End checking buttons and trimmings on the prestigious labels of the day. Jen Varon, Betty Jackson, Zandra Rhodes and Janice Wainwright to name but a few. It was here that I learnt about beautiful fabrics cutting garments and correct fitting. I learned to love colour, cut and cloth, but most of all I loved clothes. This period was invaluable in setting up Pierrot.”
Pierrot 