0:00:00 > 0:00:00- 888
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- In this programme...
0:00:02 > 0:00:06- ..actress and singer Lisa Jen - with her obsession for vintage.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10- A mother of three - who needs our stylist's advice.
0:00:11 > 0:00:17- First, the eccentric but organized - wardrobe of a city gentleman.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19- Welcome to Cwpwrdd Dillad.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26- 888
0:00:31 > 0:00:33- 888
0:00:37 > 0:00:39- 888
0:00:42 > 0:00:44- RADIO - "Good evening, - ladies and gentlemen.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46- RADIO - "Welcome to the show..."
0:00:50 > 0:00:53- Karl Davies - is the Secretary of BBC Wales.
0:00:54 > 0:01:00- He has a reputation for expressing - his personality through his clothes.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04- They reflect his intelligence, - his humour...
0:01:05 > 0:01:08- ..and his willingness - to break a few rules.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23- I wasn't interested in clothes - when I was in my teens.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29- Clothes certainly weren't - a big thing for us as a family.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31- As you'd expect, - my mother liked to dress well...
0:01:32 > 0:01:36- ..but it wasn't an important part - of our culture as a family.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42- The only relative of mine who took - particular pride in her clothes...
0:01:43 > 0:01:46- ..was my grandmother, - who lived on Anglesey.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51- How could she, the daughter - of a farmhand in remote Anglesey...
0:01:51 > 0:01:53- ..own such fabulous clothes?
0:01:54 > 0:01:55- It puzzled me.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00- Well, all her brothers were older - than her and most were sailors.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02- When they were abroad...
0:02:02 > 0:02:06- ..they'd buy something - for their little sister to wear.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10- That's where she got - her wonderful clothes.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14- Maybe a bit of her passion for - clothes has been passed on to me.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19- Tell me about this idea - of standing out from the crowd.
0:02:19 > 0:02:25- I was a young fogey, when I was in - my teens and when I was a student.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30- I bought this jacket from Oxfam - in Rhyl, a quarter of a century ago.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32- It cost me 50p back then!
0:02:32 > 0:02:37- I was at the National Eisteddfod - in Lampeter twenty years ago...
0:02:37 > 0:02:39- ..and I attended a charity auction.
0:02:40 > 0:02:41- This bow tie was for sale.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44- It belonged to Gwenallt, the poet.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48- For some reason, - I bid for it and I bought it.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52- I started to wear it - and it always attracted attention.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55- That's when I first realized...
0:02:55 > 0:02:59- ..being a bit different or - a bit eccentric has its advantages.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- The more I do it, - the more I enjoy it.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07- It became some sort of signature...
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- ..and people started to call me - "Karl Bow Tie."
0:03:17 > 0:03:22- My colleagues may disagree with me - but I think I'm very organized.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26- I most definitely - have morning rituals.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29- Standing in front of a mirror - each morning...
0:03:29 > 0:03:35- ..watching myself tie my bow tie - is an important part of my rituals.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38- Once I've finished - my morning routine...
0:03:38 > 0:03:40- ..I head off on my bike.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44- The first time I'd been on a bike - for twenty years...
0:03:44 > 0:03:48- ..I was going to my friends' house - and a car ran me over.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51- Fortunately, - I just fell off my bike...
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- ..and was scratched and bruised - but nothing more.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58- I reached my friends' house.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02- "Where's your helmet? - Buy one tomorrow!" said one of them.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05- Then, he disappeared - from the room...
0:04:05 > 0:04:10- ..and he returned clutching - a very bright, yellow jacket.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13- "Wear this - and no-one can miss you!" he said.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17- He worked for the council - sewage department...
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- ..and he wore the fluorescent jacket - for work!
0:04:20 > 0:04:23- When people see me riding my bike - every day...
0:04:24 > 0:04:28- ..they see a bow tie and a sewage - worker's fluorescent jacket!
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- They're not sure - if I'm a professional musician...
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- ..or someone - who'll clean their drains!
0:04:54 > 0:04:57- Are you sentimental - about your clothes?
0:04:57 > 0:05:01- Yes, I'm terribly sentimental - about my clothes.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04- Many things I own - were given to me by my friends.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- Well, Karl, - you're clearly highly organized.
0:05:12 > 0:05:18- Yes, I am organized. I cope better - when things are orderly.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22- My old headmaster's mantra - had a lasting effect on me.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- I often think of him - when I check how organized I am.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31- "Organize your world." - That's what Desmond Healy would say.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34- He was the headmaster - of Ysgol Glan Clwyd.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- Mr Healy, I'm organizing my world!
0:05:37 > 0:05:41- Let's start - with some of your informal shirts.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45- These are two - of my favourite shirts.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49- My friends refer to these - as my deckchair shirts.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54- If I happened to lie down - on a beach, wearing either shirt...
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- ..people would be likely - to sit on me!
0:05:57 > 0:05:59- You could come in very handy!
0:05:59 > 0:06:01- You could come in very handy!- - Yes, indeed.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05- I feel I add a touch of sunshine - to the world when I wear it.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22- May I be so bold as to have - a rummage in your drawers?
0:06:22 > 0:06:25- I wouldn't let just anyone do it - but you may!
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- I have a few interesting pairs - of socks in there.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34- This is my favourite pair - - pink, yellow and white.
0:06:34 > 0:06:40- They're like ice cream, which really - goes well with my deckchair shirts!
0:06:53 > 0:06:58- I choose my suit, my shirt, - my socks and my bow tie or tie...
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- ..before I go to bed at night.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- I'm not fully awake - for the first hour of every day...
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- ..so it's essential to be prepared.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13- I'm not sure - if it's linked to the fact...
0:07:15 > 0:07:20- ..I've only recently gained - confidence in the way I dress.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23- If I haven't planned it - the previous night...
0:07:24 > 0:07:26- ..I'm not really confident...
0:07:26 > 0:07:30- ..I can choose an outfit when I'm - only half awake at 7.30am...
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- ..to ensure that I'm well turned out - for the day.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36- Having said that...
0:07:36 > 0:07:41- ..being prepared frees up - some valuable time in the mornings.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46- I fill my time with more interesting - things than choosing clothes!
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- You spend a lot of time in Italy.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50- You spend a lot of time in Italy.- - Yes and I'm fond of the country.
0:07:50 > 0:07:55- My partner lives there and - it's my duty to visit him regularly.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04- My love of Italy means I tend to - cook lasagne for my dinner guests.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- People tell me - my lasagne is quite good.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10- I cooked it for an Italian...
0:08:10 > 0:08:15- ..and he reckoned it was the best - lasagne he'd had, north of the Alps.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- He gave me a special present - - a chef's hat.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22- Printed on the hat, in Italian, - is "A real Italian cook".
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- "Vero Cuoco Italiano".
0:08:26 > 0:08:31- When I carry one of my lasagnes in - here, I always wear my chef's hat.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34- I want my dinner guests to know...
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- ..a real Italian cook - prepared their lasagne!
0:08:48 > 0:08:54- Looking to the future, now that - you've grown in confidence...
0:08:54 > 0:08:59- ..and you're happy to experiment - with different clothes...
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- ..will you move on - to different styles...
0:09:03 > 0:09:08- ..or will you still wear bow ties - when you're 60, 70 and 80 years old?
0:09:08 > 0:09:13- As I started out as a young fogey, - a quarter of a century ago...
0:09:15 > 0:09:20- ..it's a style which will serve me - well when I'm an old fogey too!
0:09:20 > 0:09:23- I may not have to change my style!
0:10:02 > 0:10:07- I'll never look like Posh Spice, - so why try to shop like her?
0:10:08 > 0:10:13- I'm fashion conscious - and I love clothes...
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- ..but money and time - are in short supply.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- I think I've lost my way.
0:10:30 > 0:10:35- Since you've been a mother, - have you ignored your own style?
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- Yes. Absolutely.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- Before I had the children, - I was Megan...
0:10:40 > 0:10:44- ..but now I'm my children's mother.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- I've lost my identity.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- Every mother can say that.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- I'm never plain Megan. - I'm not a person.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54- That's my situation.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- What about your shopping habits?
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- Where do you go? - How often and how much do you spend?
0:11:01 > 0:11:03- I don't have any shopping habits!
0:11:03 > 0:11:08- When I'm in Tesco or Asda, I'll grab - something cheap and cheerful.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- I've lost my way. - I've lost my confidence.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15- I was a size 10, before I had kids. - That's changed.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- I love being a mother of three - but I want Megan back too.
0:11:24 > 0:11:29- Stylist, Eleanor Gardner, - studied fashion in London.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- She's worked - for world-famous designers...
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- ..and she'll offer Megan - some advice.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- Can a mother benefit - from changing her wardrobe?
0:11:44 > 0:11:48- Megan, are you happy for me - to inspect your wardrobe?
0:11:48 > 0:11:49- Only time will tell.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54- I can see - you're fond of patterns and colour.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56- You're into patchwork!
0:11:56 > 0:11:58- These patterns are dated.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04- I know you're a creative person and - that's evident in your clothes...
0:12:05 > 0:12:10- ..but this looks like a tablecloth - and it's far too busy. Say bye-bye!
0:12:11 > 0:12:12- Oh, dear!
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- Let's talk about colour.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- Explain why you bought this, Megan.
0:12:17 > 0:12:18- Explain why you bought this, Megan.- - I bought it years ago.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- I wore it to a testimonial dinner.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23- I wore it to a testimonial dinner.- - Did you enjoy wearing it?
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- Yes, even though I had to wear - a body stocking under it.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- The magic knickers - were working overtime!
0:12:31 > 0:12:36- It's a classic outfit but you don't - have the body shape for it...
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- ..and the pink is too bright.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- It's going to be too cold - for your skin tone.
0:12:42 > 0:12:43- Say ta-ta!
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- Even more cold, bright colours.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- Yes. I haven't been able to wear it - for years.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01- Good!
0:13:01 > 0:13:03- Good!- - It was BC - before children.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06- It's far too small for me now.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08- It's far too small for me now.- - Yes, it's very short too.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10- I hope to be a size 10 again, - one day.
0:13:22 > 0:13:27- Are you alright, Megan? - You survived the Eleanor experience!
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- Yes and I have an empty wardrobe!
0:13:29 > 0:13:32- She really did - get rid of lots of clothes.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37- Yes. I've got a bone to pick with my - friends who always say I look nice!
0:13:38 > 0:13:39- You think they've been lying?
0:13:39 > 0:13:40- You think they've been lying?- - Yes, for years!
0:13:47 > 0:13:51- I've chosen clothes which emphasize - Megan's hourglass figure.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- Sophisticated, feminine clothes.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- Megan needs well-tailored clothes - in warm shades...
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- ..with mature patterns.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09- Wow! Look at you!
0:14:09 > 0:14:11- You're even walking differently!
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- Yes - completely differently - and I feel fantastic.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- I've lost half a stone overnight!
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- The knickers pulled that tummy in!
0:14:20 > 0:14:22- The knickers pulled that tummy in!- - Yes, indeed.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- It feels great - and I feel taller and slimmer.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31- I love the dress. I'd never have - bought it but it looks great.
0:14:56 > 0:15:01- It's been an amazing experience. - I feel taller and slimmer.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05- I'm still a mother - but I think Megan has come back.
0:15:16 > 0:15:17- .
0:15:20 > 0:15:20- 888
0:15:20 > 0:15:22- 888- - 888
0:15:36 > 0:15:40- I have a problem - and I'm hopelessly addicted.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42- But I feel no shame.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45- If I see something in a magazine...
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- ..I'll dream about it - until I get my hands on it.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- When I got engaged - three years ago...
0:16:04 > 0:16:08- ..I decided to try to be - a bit more feminine.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13- I felt frustrated when I - saw my reflection in a shop window.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18- I always wore baggy jeans, - baggy jumpers and trainers.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- I felt unhappy - and I'd hidden my shape for years...
0:16:23 > 0:16:25- ..because I felt I was shapeless.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29- I came to the conclusion - I had to be more confident...
0:16:30 > 0:16:31- ..and that's what I did.
0:16:32 > 0:16:37- I started to try on dresses and I - thought, "Oh! They suit my shape."
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- I started to feel - more and more confident...
0:16:40 > 0:16:46- ..and my husband, my mother and my - friends said I looked really nice.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- I realized you can't - change your shape, so celebrate it!
0:16:50 > 0:16:52- That's what I do.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02- I think 1940s dresses suit my shape.
0:17:02 > 0:17:08- They slim the hips and the bottom - but also highlight the waist.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14- The 1950s dresses are tight around - the waist and they flare outwards.
0:17:14 > 0:17:19- They hide the blemishes and show off - the bits of me I want to show.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34- Do you spend a lot of time...
0:17:34 > 0:17:39- ..romanticizing about life - in a small cottage in Bethesda?
0:17:39 > 0:17:43- I hadn't thought about it like that - but I'm certainly a home bird.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48- I love being home and there's - something about where I live.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50- It was my granny's house...
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- ..and the wardrobe - is where it's always been.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58- My granny loved clothes and - her wardrobe was full to brimming.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- The wardrobe is still bursting - at the seams today!
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- There's no room for another garment!
0:18:06 > 0:18:10- I enjoy - carrying on the family tradition!
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- This is the bedroom. Mind your head!
0:18:19 > 0:18:22- This is the bedroom. Mind your head!- - You mustn't wear heels in here!
0:18:22 > 0:18:27- I came close to not getting married - because of these two dresses.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- These are two of six dresses...
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- ..I bought in New York - when I did a gig there.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37- Martin wanted to come - but we couldn't afford it...
0:18:37 > 0:18:41- ..because - it was just before our wedding day.
0:18:41 > 0:18:46- I had a bottle of rose on the street - in New York then went shopping.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- These are a few - of the dresses I bought there.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52- They weren't too expensive.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54- They cost something like 90 each...
0:18:55 > 0:18:57- ..which isn't bad - but I did buy seven dresses!
0:18:58 > 0:19:00- What a palaver when I got home!
0:19:00 > 0:19:04- My best friend, - my mother and my then fiance...
0:19:04 > 0:19:08- ..sat me down, around a table, - and told me I had a problem.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12- I can't come home and say, - "I'll get them next time."
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- When you see something you love - in New York, you've got to buy it.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- They're vintage clothes - and I had to have them.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- Can I afford them? - That's irrelevant.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- I found a way to buy them.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41- Vintage clothes are fashionable.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44- They're getting harder to find...
0:19:45 > 0:19:50- ..and, as demand grows, - they're getting more expensive.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53- I feel like screaming, - "No! I liked them first!"
0:19:54 > 0:19:55- "Go away!"
0:19:56 > 0:19:58- I hear you have two wedding dresses.
0:19:58 > 0:19:59- Is that true?
0:19:59 > 0:20:01- Is that true?- - Yes, it is true.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03- I've been a fool!
0:20:03 > 0:20:07- I wanted to get married - in a vintage dress.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12- I found this dress - and it's actually pre-vintage.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- It was made in the 1840s.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- It's full of holes - but I bought it anyway.
0:20:18 > 0:20:23- My friend and my mother said, - "No! You look like Miss Havisham!"
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- I said, "No! No! No! - I want to get married in it."
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- I know it's faded - but it's just an amazing dress.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- Imagine its history!
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- It's also been in a production - at the National Theatre, London.
0:20:36 > 0:20:41- The man who sold it to me told me - that and I had to have the dress!
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- As my friend said, - "Lisa! It's yellow!"
0:20:45 > 0:20:47- The lace is totally discoloured!
0:20:48 > 0:20:50- I realized they may have a point!
0:20:51 > 0:20:56- I then found another dress - - the one I wore on my wedding day.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- They're like - members of the family to me.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07- Each one - has a story of its own to tell.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- What shoes did you wear - on your wedding day?
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- I wore Christian Louboutin shoes.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- I wore Christian Louboutin shoes.- - The ones with red soles.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20- Yes and they're incredibly high.
0:21:20 > 0:21:26- At the start of the day, I thought - they were really comfortable...
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- ..but then, - I wore them for 18 hours.
0:21:29 > 0:21:34- When I took them off that night, - my feet were really red.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36- It was worth every minute, though?
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- It was worth every minute, though?- - Yes, of course.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- "Canada Airlines - welcomes you aboard...
0:21:42 > 0:21:46- "..Flight FUN to Newfoundland."
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- I often wear this outfit.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12- I like this blouse - and pencil skirt to do gigs.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- I feel feminine when I wear them.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18- It makes me walk differently.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22- It makes me aware of the fact - I must sit with a straight back.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- Do you have a pair of lucky shoes?
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- Do you have a pair of lucky shoes?- - Yes - the blue ones.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40- Every time I've worn those, - I've performed well at a gig.
0:22:40 > 0:22:45- I find it hard not to wear them now, - in case a gig doesn't go down well.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47- I must have my blue shoes.
0:22:47 > 0:22:52- People at gigs shout, "Nice shoes!" - but they don't mention my singing!
0:22:53 > 0:22:54- They like my shoes.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06- I'm also obsessed with - 1930s and 1940s nightgowns.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11- I convinced myself I needed - two nightgowns for my honeymoon.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13- I found this one.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15- I found this one.- - Oh, it's beautiful!
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- Yes, it's a two-piece set - and it's see-through.
0:23:21 > 0:23:22- It's really sexy.
0:23:37 > 0:23:43- You'll often see me walking around - Gerlan in this nightgown....
0:23:44 > 0:23:48- ..with a parka over it - and pink wellingtons under it!
0:23:48 > 0:23:50- That's really stylish!
0:23:50 > 0:23:52- It looks like a dress.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55- Yes and it's nice - because it cups the breasts.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57- It fits me quite snugly.
0:24:13 > 0:24:18- You changed your style and it's - safe to say it changed your life.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22- Yes, it changed - the way I feel about myself.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27- I wonder if I'll still - wear these dresses when I'm 50.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30- I really, really hope so.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04- S4/C subtitles by Eirlys A Jones
0:25:04 > 0:25:05- .