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Guest Blog: A Day in the Life of a Hope Model by Elaine

Introducing Elaine, this week's guest blogger
This week I asked customer, 'real' model and friend of the brand Elaine to write a guest blog about her experience modelling and shopping with Hope.
I hope you enjoy reading,
A Day in the Life of a Hope Model
It’s not everyday that you get to dress up, sip a glass of champagne and celebrate with new friends how confident and attractive you feel. However, here I am, smiling in a group picture wearing one of the beautiful coral silk dresses designed by Hope Fashion. I cannot believe that the woman smiling out from that picture is really me. How can one dress make me look so stylish, elegant and authentic. If I had to pick a ‘look’ that really resonated with my lifestyle and my age then this would be it. Hope Fashion is a new and fast growing clothing company who put comfort, wearability and style first. It’s not everyday you come across a fashion company totally focussed on the quality of its clothing and the ease with which it can be bought and worn. A company that works alongside its customer base and knows, because of its founders’ experience and vision, that it is delivering something that will change the life of any customer willing to give it a try.

So how did this all happen?
It first started when, on a cold Winter’s evening, I was browsing the internet and decided to type in the words; ‘fashion’, ‘comfort’ and ‘older woman’. I didn’t really expect to find anything more than possible references to a few well known national clothing stores. The very stores that were now leaving me cold. The styles geared at older women have become tired and unflattering and the rest of the merchandise on sale is often influenced by the need to be trendy or to cater for the fast fashion diet of a younger generation. Now that I am older and wiser, I believe in the idea of investment dressing. Our continental sisters have always seen the merits of a capsule wardrobe - high quality basics that can be added to, as and when the need occurs. Could my internet search come up with something that just might reignite my interest in fashion for the over 40’s?

Now that I had found this company it wasn’t long before I was invited to come along to the home of its founder, Nayna McIntosh, and take part in one of its shopping events. What fun! Here is a company that takes its customer service seriously and engages with the customer through shopping events and style advice. I went along and had great fun trying on the clothes and meeting members of her team. Friendship, fun and fashion are what I remember most about my first visit. I was also asked if I would like to be part of their ‘real women’ modelling shoot. How can a girl not accept an invitation like that.
On the day
Being a Hope model is just like being part of a large, noisy and caring family. From the moment I walked into Nayna’s home, I felt at ease. I was introduced to the other models and it was great fun to be able to share the excitement of the day. What struck me most was how stunning the other ‘real women’ were. I am a standard size 12 but I must admit, that throughout the day, I began to feel quite envious of how wonderful the ankle grazers and foundation tops looked on the more curvaceous models. It was a revelation to see how good we could all look wearing the same clothes but in slightly different ways. All credit goes to the clever new sizing policy. I could wear dual slim in the foundation skirt and my model buddy could wear the same style in a dual curvy. We both looked great!
As the day wore on, I could see how a few garments , chosen judiciously, could be the core of a wonderful new wardrobe. On the spring shoot, Nayna and her team were adding brighter colours to wear alongside the neutrals. Coral and aqua were teamed alongside the grey and navy and looked stunning. For those of us who really like the tone on tone look, there was a subtle oyster shade which looked very sophisticated as did the chalk white silk shirt. I learned so much about the thought that goes behind these shoots. Nothing is taken for granted. Every outfit has to be seen on the different body shapes and different combinations are tried out to ensure that the customer gets her ‘pound per wear’. If the price of these clothes is more than you would normally spend then look carefully at how many ways you can make use of the garment. I could see how, in the long term, I would be making a saving on my purchases.
We finished the day with a glass of champagne and a group photo. You can see from the broad smiles that this had been a really wonderful day. I learned so much about myself and the importance of being confident in your own skin and with your own style. Thank-you Nayna and team for having the vision and talent to make visible the often remarked ‘invisible woman’.
Elaine x

Hi Elaine
Loved reading your story !
I really liked the dress you were wearing ! Tried to order it but couldn't see it on the website ! Is it still available?
I've had some lovely pieces from Hope and look forward to adding some more to my wardrobe !
Hi Maria,
Thank-you for your lovely comment. I really enjoyed writing about my day. I could never have imagined modelling in my sixties. The dress is gorgeous and very comfortable- just the kind of dress I could wear for most occasions. It is so easy to dress up or leave casual. I checked with the Hope team and it will be available by the end of May. I love scarves and would definitely drape one over this navy dress. Elaine.
I thought this was a very well written and thoughtful post. I enjoyed reading it and it really gives you a refreshing feeling that this clothing range is a little different from what we have grown accustomed to. I love how she put across in an honest way how she felt "elegant" and "authentic", and the changes it might make in anyone willing to try the range out - I love that! And I loved the encouraging statement "I began to feel quite envious of how wonderful the ankle grazers and foundation tops looked on the more curvaceous models. It was a revelation to see how good we could all look wearing the same clothes but in slightly different ways." What a wonderful recomendation to all us more curvy women. It almost a promise that we can look forward to looking our very best and in the greatest of comfort at the same time. A very nicely written article and one that will make most women want to try at least one item in this range of clothing. Well done!