Hannah Sandling

Hannah Sandling

Hannah Sandling is a busy lady. She's a fashion guru, interior designer and stylist to the stars, as well as a best selling author and now she is putting her weight behind a new campaign- getting people to donate their clothes to charity. It's a scary fact that most women buy things that they never wear and then throw them away, when they could clear the space in their wardrobe and donate to a good cause. I caught up with her about her fashion lifestyle, how we can all help to prevent poverty and why charity shops are the new Harrods.

Hi Hannah, how are you?

I'm great thanks, just so busy and I'm always on the go!

What have you been up to recently?

Well recently I've been very busy launching my new book, the lazy goddess. You know, it’s all about how to drop a few pounds, how to feel good about yourself and some quick tips and stuff really.

What does the book include?

Yeah, well its style tips on how to look your best and take short cuts, like dropping a dress size without having to go on a diet and how to make people look stunning, without spending an absolute fortune. And we've got celebrity advice from people like Faye Dunaway and loads of funny little beauty tips too. It’s hilarious, because it’s a book on how not to be perfect, you know?

So, it’s sort of a guide for women on the go?

Yep, Lionel Richie and Jean-Christophe Novelli have been brilliant with their tips, you know just how to have a lazy day and still look good, and we tell you some fun shortcuts too. And also making your home look fabulous and look like you've spent a fortune, when all it is, is little changes which make a big difference. It’s great for the credit crunch too because everybody has opinions on how to look good and this shows different ways on a shoestring budget.

What do you think of the research that has found women throwing way clothes that they have never worn?

Well, A- it’s super accurate because I know a lot of guilty friends who toss all their unwanted garments and their wardrobes are wedged full of clothes. Modern women love shopping and love to buy new things, especially wanting that new handbag and when it’s got a little discount, well it becomes that you really need that new handbag, before you know it, you've bought a dress and you don't really need it, you get home and your like ‘what did I buy that for, it doesn't suit me’ and over the next few years your wardrobe is going to suffocate with the weight on unwanted clothes. I've got about ten wardrobes at home, I know crazy right!?

Do you think that cheap throwaway fashion has something to do with it?

Yes, absolutely. It’s a fashion crime; buy you wear it and then chuck it. I think we're so tempted by the cheap prices, you know you go to Primark and see a dress for four quid, of course you're going to buy it. And even if it doesn't suit you, you're tempted because it’s cost you hardly anything, so we're packing our wardrobes with rubbish. I understand how hard it is to part with things, especially if you bought something with like 75% off, it might be a Versace dress or something and if it’s that much off then it’s great. But at the same time it’s very hard to get rid of that then because it’s a designer label. You always think ‘oh maybe I will wear that’ and women are notoriously bad for buying something, even if it’s a size too small, and they try and use that as an incentive to loose weight to then get into that dress. But if you don't, every time you open your wardrobe you may have a beautiful dress, but if it doesn't fit you, then what’s the point, and by the time you do slim down it’s gone out of fashion!

With the credit crunch getting worse, what top tips do you have for savvy shoppers?

I would say go charity shopping, a lot of people are doing that now. I tell you charity shops are the new Harrods. I mean I go into my charity shop and I come out with a big cheshire cat grin, you know I'm like ‘check out what I've got in my bag, new clothes and a Gucci coat for 20 quid!’ It’s fabulous, and it’s absolutely true, if you live in a great area especially, or make the trip, or just check out your local one, they all have cool finds. You will come out with amazing clothes, You know A-Listers are in there, I've seen the Royal Family in there, it’s absolutely amazing. And also if you're dumping your stuff off at a charity shop, you are not only going to exit with some really cool stuff, but also you will be helping to combat poverty.

Tell me about the M&S and Oxfam initiative

Marks and Spencer and Oxfam have joined forces and come up with this brilliant exchange program idea. All you need to do is this weekend, make an effort and get a friend round who is really honest and get her to go through your wardrobe with you, about what to keep and what to get rid of. Pop your unwanted clothes in a bin liner and get down to Oxfam; even if you only have one item of clothing then M&S will give you a nice juicy gift voucher, so if you spend £35 or more in M&S then you get five quid off. It’s a great incentive, not only are you helping Oxfam, but you get your five quid off at M&S, and then you help poverty and then you've got a nice big gaping hole in your wardrobe for new clothes!

What should people donate?

Anything! If you haven't got designer gear, it doesn't matter. Primark, high-street, Gucci, Prada, Karen Millen, whatever, it’s all welcome, everything except dirty lingerie- no underwear please!

Did you train as an interior designer or stylist?

Well actually I went to art school, and I never trained to be an interior designer, I just taught myself five years ago, because I wanted to learn and I never trained to be a stylist either, I just fell into it really. And the reason I got into fashion was, well actually I was at the gym, and I was always customising my clothes, making things stand out and look a little bit different, and I just met a lovely lady who was a fashion editor and before I knew it I was helping her out and it was all quite lovely really. It’s all about chances and opportunities and that’s how I ended up on TV.

Ooo, tell all!

Well, I was at the gym- again and I met a casting director and the rest is history. I'm all self-taught actually, I do everything back to front, but I still get there!

Are you a fan of eco-fashion?

Absolutely, I'm all about saving money and finding the bargains and I love wearing clothes in a new way. Like I've turned old jeans into cushions and things like that, or I may have an old dress that can be re-worn in a different way. I may take the trim of that dress and put it on another item, so I'm very good at customising. It’s all about being different and at the same time saving a fortune!

What are your forecasts for the big trends next year?

Well, we're now looking at for Autumn/Winter 70s Russia, so lots of patterns, fur gilets, chunky knits and tights, you know all cosy and fabulous. Sequins, the bigger the better, statement jewellery, black gothic looks, you know dark romance is huge.

Whose celeb style do you rate and who would you love to make-over?

I love people like Sienna Miller and Carla Bruni, she has a very sleek, polished look. I love Cheryl Cole, I saw her at the Naomi Campbell fashion show the other day and was like ‘oh my god, she’s so cool!’ And some people who really need some help are people like Britney Spears on a bad day, but in the last couple of weeks she’s looked quite good actually, so it just depends, but I would really like to sort her out. Also Sienna’s ex, Rhys Ifans I'd like to sort him out, he’s a bit skanky, so I'd like to scrub him up too. And Jonathan Ross would be good too, I'd like to get rid of those purple suits!

We've just done a feature on unlikely Sex symbols and Jonathan Ross is on there...

Well, actually I kinda understand that. He has such a magnetic personality and he’s just so much fun and that rocks and rules over looks sometimes. Personality wins out most of the time, I think.

For more information on the The Clothes Exchange Programme, set up by M&S and Oxfam check out their website: www.oxfam.org.uk/donate/shops/marksandspencer.html

FemaleFirst- Laura Terry
Hannah Sandling is a busy lady. She's a fashion guru, interior designer and stylist to the stars, as well as a best selling author and now she is putting her weight behind a new campaign- getting people to donate their clothes to charity. It's a scary fact that most women buy things that they never wear and then throw them away, when they could clear the space in their wardrobe and donate to a good cause. I caught up with her about her fashion lifestyle, how we can all help to prevent poverty and why charity shops are the new Harrods.
Hi Hannah, how are you?

I'm great thanks, just so busy and I'm always on the go!

What have you been up to recently?

Well recently I've been very busy launching my new book, the lazy goddess. You know, it’s all about how to drop a few pounds, how to feel good about yourself and some quick tips and stuff really.

What does the book include?

Yeah, well its style tips on how to look your best and take short cuts, like dropping a dress size without having to go on a diet and how to make people look stunning, without spending an absolute fortune. And we've got celebrity advice from people like Faye Dunaway and loads of funny little beauty tips too. It’s hilarious, because it’s a book on how not to be perfect, you know?

So, it’s sort of a guide for women on the go?

Yep, Lionel Richie and Jean-Christophe Novelli have been brilliant with their tips, you know just how to have a lazy day and still look good, and we tell you some fun shortcuts too. And also making your home look fabulous and look like you've spent a fortune, when all it is, is little changes which make a big difference. It’s great for the credit crunch too because everybody has opinions on how to look good and this shows different ways on a shoestring budget.

What do you think of the research that has found women throwing way clothes that they have never worn?

Well, A- it’s super accurate because I know a lot of guilty friends who toss all their unwanted garments and their wardrobes are wedged full of clothes. Modern women love shopping and love to buy new things, especially wanting that new handbag and when it’s got a little discount, well it becomes that you really need that new handbag, before you know it, you've bought a dress and you don't really need it, you get home and your like ‘what did I buy that for, it doesn't suit me’ and over the next few years your wardrobe is going to suffocate with the weight on unwanted clothes. I've got about ten wardrobes at home, I know crazy right!?

Do you think that cheap throwaway fashion has something to do with it?

Yes, absolutely. It’s a fashion crime; buy you wear it and then chuck it. I think we're so tempted by the cheap prices, you know you go to Primark and see a dress for four quid, of course you're going to buy it. And even if it doesn't suit you, you're tempted because it’s cost you hardly anything, so we're packing our wardrobes with rubbish. I understand how hard it is to part with things, especially if you bought something with like 75% off, it might be a Versace dress or something and if it’s that much off then it’s great. But at the same time it’s very hard to get rid of that then because it’s a designer label. You always think ‘oh maybe I will wear that’ and women are notoriously bad for buying something, even if it’s a size too small, and they try and use that as an incentive to loose weight to then get into that dress. But if you don't, every time you open your wardrobe you may have a beautiful dress, but if it doesn't fit you, then what’s the point, and by the time you do slim down it’s gone out of fashion!

With the credit crunch getting worse, what top tips do you have for savvy shoppers?

I would say go charity shopping, a lot of people are doing that now. I tell you charity shops are the new Harrods. I mean I go into my charity shop and I come out with a big cheshire cat grin, you know I'm like ‘check out what I've got in my bag, new clothes and a Gucci coat for 20 quid!’ It’s fabulous, and it’s absolutely true, if you live in a great area especially, or make the trip, or just check out your local one, they all have cool finds. You will come out with amazing clothes, You know A-Listers are in there, I've seen the Royal Family in there, it’s absolutely amazing. And also if you're dumping your stuff off at a charity shop, you are not only going to exit with some really cool stuff, but also you will be helping to combat poverty.

Tell me about the M&S and Oxfam initiative

Marks and Spencer and Oxfam have joined forces and come up with this brilliant exchange program idea. All you need to do is this weekend, make an effort and get a friend round who is really honest and get her to go through your wardrobe with you, about what to keep and what to get rid of. Pop your unwanted clothes in a bin liner and get down to Oxfam; even if you only have one item of clothing then M&S will give you a nice juicy gift voucher, so if you spend £35 or more in M&S then you get five quid off. It’s a great incentive, not only are you helping Oxfam, but you get your five quid off at M&S, and then you help poverty and then you've got a nice big gaping hole in your wardrobe for new clothes!

What should people donate?

Anything! If you haven't got designer gear, it doesn't matter. Primark, high-street, Gucci, Prada, Karen Millen, whatever, it’s all welcome, everything except dirty lingerie- no underwear please!

Did you train as an interior designer or stylist?

Well actually I went to art school, and I never trained to be an interior designer, I just taught myself five years ago, because I wanted to learn and I never trained to be a stylist either, I just fell into it really. And the reason I got into fashion was, well actually I was at the gym, and I was always customising my clothes, making things stand out and look a little bit different, and I just met a lovely lady who was a fashion editor and before I knew it I was helping her out and it was all quite lovely really. It’s all about chances and opportunities and that’s how I ended up on TV.

Ooo, tell all!

Well, I was at the gym- again and I met a casting director and the rest is history. I'm all self-taught actually, I do everything back to front, but I still get there!

Are you a fan of eco-fashion?

Absolutely, I'm all about saving money and finding the bargains and I love wearing clothes in a new way. Like I've turned old jeans into cushions and things like that, or I may have an old dress that can be re-worn in a different way. I may take the trim of that dress and put it on another item, so I'm very good at customising. It’s all about being different and at the same time saving a fortune!

What are your forecasts for the big trends next year?

Well, we're now looking at for Autumn/Winter 70s Russia, so lots of patterns, fur gilets, chunky knits and tights, you know all cosy and fabulous. Sequins, the bigger the better, statement jewellery, black gothic looks, you know dark romance is huge.

Whose celeb style do you rate and who would you love to make-over?

I love people like Sienna Miller and Carla Bruni, she has a very sleek, polished look. I love Cheryl Cole, I saw her at the Naomi Campbell fashion show the other day and was like ‘oh my god, she’s so cool!’ And some people who really need some help are people like Britney Spears on a bad day, but in the last couple of weeks she’s looked quite good actually, so it just depends, but I would really like to sort her out. Also Sienna’s ex, Rhys Ifans I'd like to sort him out, he’s a bit skanky, so I'd like to scrub him up too. And Jonathan Ross would be good too, I'd like to get rid of those purple suits!

We've just done a feature on unlikely Sex symbols and Jonathan Ross is on there...

Well, actually I kinda understand that. He has such a magnetic personality and he’s just so much fun and that rocks and rules over looks sometimes. Personality wins out most of the time, I think.

For more information on the The Clothes Exchange Programme, set up by M&S and Oxfam check out their website: www.oxfam.org.uk/donate/shops/marksandspencer.html