In My Shoes: Fiona Dreesmann
Fiona Dreesmann is an interior stylist and founder of Fiona Finds. Styling people and their homes for over 25 years, she opened her first London showroom in Belgravia in 2016. Fiona collaborates with artists and makers all around the world, offering a curation of beautiful items including pottery, textiles, raffia or hand painted glass.
Tell us a little about you.
I have a huge amount of energy and am lucky to be proficient at multi-tasking. This I have needed as I am married, a mother to triplets and a pug called Stanley, all of whom seem to want a part of me most of the time. Going to work is my escape!
How do you start your day?
Not very excitingly! My husband brings me a cup of tea in bed - it used to be the other way round but somehow, and with some luck, this has changed! And then it’s up, dressed and on to work. If it’s not raining I walk my pug to work (neither of us are keen on wet hair!)
What is your fashion philosophy?
I am fundamentally a classic dresser, but I love a twist. I tend to wear a jacket and trousers most days but always pair it with quirky glasses or a fun pair of shoes. Something must be unexpected! I generally stick to earth tones all year round. My weakness is shoes - flats for the day and a wow shoe for the evening.
Can you share a styling trick with us?
A little styling trick that works for me is I wear one block colour which really gives length. So, a matching colour trousers and jacket. If it doesn’t match, then match with similar tones. I always try to buy the best quality and I know that because my style doesn’t really change it will last. And then it is fun to play around with the highlight pieces.
What’s a top tip?
My life tip is always look forward to tomorrow not back on yesterday. We can’t change yesterday but we can change tomorrow.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by hard workers. Nothing comes easily in life and I really admire those who put the hours in and are committed and passionate about whatever they believe. My children constantly inspire me and I also strive to be an inspiration for them. I want them to see that hard work is rewarded and that you must be able to give in order to receive - in any capacity you choose.
How do you unwind?
I love to needlepoint and this is my total switch off, I also find it a great sense of achievement when I have finished something. The wonderful ‘Tapisserie’ make the canvases into lovely bags which I now date so I know when they were completed. My daughters will either cherish them or chuck them!
If you could visit anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would it be?
Italy! I find the people and the place the most charming. No matter where you are there is always something wonderful to discover, and of course something wonderful to eat. It is also somewhere that I enjoy sourcing products for Fiona Finds.
Can you tell us something you discovered recently?
My new discovery is work related and I found the most fabulous lady in a small village in France who hand paints for us. Her work is remarkable and a skill that is increasingly rare to find. I work with lots of artisans and am always keen to discover new ones.
What is the best part of your job?
The people I get to meet and seeing the things they choose for their homes. I love to see how differently the same product can be interpreted in different environments.
Which shoes do you love this season?
It has to be the pebble shoe, I know it is your classic but I love the block heel (already have a pair) and the sling back version will be the next pair making an entry into my ever expanding shoe department.
