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FASHION INSPIRATION, TRENDS & ADVICE
 

WOMEN   |   MEN   |   CHILDREN   |   HOME   |   LABEL/MIX

THE INTERVIEW

Abbey Clancy

31 October 2018


Abbey Clancy is elegantly poised on the sofa in one of London’s most prestigious hotel suites, wearing a sleek black tux and looking every inch the style icon. The Liverpool-born mum of three has just launched her debut fashion collection for Lipsy – adding another achievement to her ever-evolving portfolio career as a hugely successful model, author, television host and of course, Strictly Come Dancing champion [Abbey won the BBC show in 2013] – and she’s only 32.


“It’s surreal,” says Abbey. “When you come from Liverpool, I think it’s easy to believe that there aren’t as many opportunities to get into certain industries like fashion. I never thought that one day I’d have my own collection so it’s been crazy to see the Lipsy range in the windows of the new Oxford Street store.” The partnership seems the perfect fit, what with the model’s Liverpudlian roots and the glitz and glamour that both Lipsy and her hometown are celebrated for – not to mention the fact that Abbey looks incredible in the clothes.

In person, she is just as beautiful as she appears on TV or the pages of glossy magazines. This is a woman who is humble, immediately likeable and clearly believes that you get back in life what you put in. The fact that she is now hosting Britain’s Next Top Model, the show that kick-started her modelling career is testament to that. “It’s been a huge honour to go back as a judge,” she says. “It feels like I’ve come full circle. I was 19 when I applied to be a contestant and it’s still the same crew and producers working on it today. We’ve stayed friends over the years so it’s really great to be back working with them again. The show has a really sentimental connection for me.”


Another role that Abbey is greatly passionate about is being a mother to her three children with husband, professional footballer Peter Crouch. The couple have two daughters, Sophia, 7, Liberty, 3 and son Johnny, who was born just 10 months ago. “I love being a mum. It’s one of my greatest achievements,” she smiles, though it begs the question how does she juggle the work/life balance? “I’m lucky as I have a brilliant support system – my mum is great at helping with the kids and I really enjoy having my job, it allows me to keep a sense of identity and remember the ‘old me’. Work feels like a break to be honest,” she laughs. “The kids see Peter and I working hard, daily – it sets a good example for them.”

How did Abbey and Peter meet? “It was in a bar in Liverpool, so sadly there’s no nice romantic story behind it – but the rest is history!” Seven years on, she maintains the secret to their happiness is friendship and not taking life too seriously. “My advice is just to have loads of kids like we do and then you don’t have time to argue,” jokes Abbey. “Really though, we do everything together and just love life. We have the same interests and are both busy so we have a lot to talk about when we reconnect at the end of the day.”


Of course, one of those talking points is now Abbey’s must-have collection for Lipsy. “I’m so happy with it,” she beams. “Winter is my favourite season and I think it’s really important to invest in staple wardrobe pieces so I made sure that the range included a beautiful coat, amazing tailoring, a great party dress and perfect-fit leather pants.”

Abbey describes her own sense of style as classic, citing Brigitte Bardot and Kate Moss as the women who have influenced her own fashion choices. “My little girls are always saying to me, ‘Mummy, why don’t you wear belly tops and hot pants?’ and I have to tell them that I’m too old for that now,” she laughs. Does she feel pressure to stay in shape? “I don’t really struggle with my weight as it tends to stay consistent. I exercise more for the fact that I need to be strong and have energy to look after my kids.” Her method of choice: reformer pilates.


Family is clearly the driving force behind everything Abbey gives her dedication to. “I couldn’t live without them,” she says. “I’m not a very materialistic person. What’s important to me now is very different to when I was a teenager when you just want the latest shoes or handbag. As you get older, you realise that the very best things in life are free.”


And we certainly can’t argue with that. But for the moments when you need to look great for a party in a floor-skimming sequin gown or wrap up in a gorgeous faux-fur coat to give your favourite jeans a new lease of life? Abbey Clancy x Lipsy is a great place to start.

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