Sarah Cassells talks to Isobel Ford of Big and Beautiful Fashions, helping women sized 14 to 36 find stylish, well cut clothes for every occasion.
Stylesheet
Norfolk's best boutiques and loveliest labels by Sarah Cassells.
Talking Shop
From her shops in Drayton and Holt, Isobel Ford (pictured above) of Big and Beautiful Fashions, helps women sized 14 to 36 find stylish, well cut clothes for every occasion.
What inspired you to open a boutique?
Having been a big girl all my life, I found it extremely difficult to buy bright and vibrant clothes and realised there was a huge void for fashions for the larger woman. So I opened my first shop in Exchange Street, Norwich, 17 years ago.
What’s the Big and Beautiful style?
Comfortable, stylish fashions which fit with a touch of class.
What’s your bestseller?
German label Lebek is certainly a favourite with my customers for day wear, while Danish company Godske is popular for special occasion wear.
Which three pieces are essential buys from Big and Beautiful?
A little black dress with good lines, which I have exclusively designed and made for our shops, along with a wonderful basic skirt with a super flared shape, plus one of our exclusive, unusual knitted jackets from Poland.
What is the price range in the store?
Our prices range from �19 for a cami top or T-shirt, to a wedding outfit for �495.
Who are your favourite designers?
Verpass, Doris Streich and Chalou, as I believe they achieve the best and most varied collections for sizes 14 to 36. Lebek jackets are also fantastic.
Which other Norfolk boutiques do you love and why?
I enjoy Taverham Garden Centre.
What are your other interests?
I spend as much time as I can boating and recently spent several weeks on Holland’s waterways. I also love cycling and swimming during the winter.
Big and Beautiful Fashions, www.bigandbeautifulfashions.co.uk14 School Road, Drayton, NR8 6DN, 01603 866060.33 Bull Street, Holt, NR25 6HP, 01263 714040.
