My West London Life

Party Pants

Mary Forestier-Walker

January
25

Founder of mobile knicker-making class Party Pants Mary Forestier-Walker on pole dancing hen parties and creating lobster outfits

Where do you live and why?

South Kensington – it’s where I’ve always lived since moving to London. It has everything you could ever wish for and more; a pub who knows my favourite tipple and a corner shop who know my name. I wouldn’t live anywhere else.

How did you come up with the concept of Party Pants?

Brainstorming ideas for my three older sisters’ hen parties. I did a trial run on them and they loved it. Beautiful knickers were made, people got talking and party pants was born.

What’s the wildest hen party you have hosted and what happened?

I did a hen party for 15 pole dance instructors. They were very happy to pose in their creations at the end of it all and they gave me a private lesson!

You studied at London College of Fashion. What is the craziest project you worked on?

I had an underwater project so I made a human-sized lobster outfit… Wadding in the shell, pincers and all.

How would you describe your personal style?

Mary Poppins meets the circus.

What is your favourite fashion era?

The ’60s. The micro mini-dress is a wardrobe staple… And big hair.

You grew up in the countryside. Where do you escape to in west London to get a little greenery?

My apartment has its own secret garden overflowing with flowers.

What’s your most memorable moment?

Making my first dress. It was a cherry-red, silk swing dress and I wore it to my birthday party.

What item of clothing could you not live without?

My long red coat with a fur collar that I bought from a vintage shop on a girls weekend to Amsterdam. I look forward to winter so that I can wear it.

What inspires you the most and why?

The British countryside, foreign markets and power ballads. Taking tradition and making it playful and a little outrageous.

What is in your fridge right now?

Two bottles of champagne and some tomato soup.

www.party-pants.co.uk

London Real Estate boss Alex Bourne on Buying London

June
17

Kate Elliott meets London Real Estate agent Alex Bourne, fresh from appearing on Netflix's Buying London

Hi Alex, you’ve just hit our screens with the hotly anticipated Netflix show, Buying London… but you were working in Real Estate long before this. What made you want to work in property and how did you start?

Before finding my way into property, I had quite a few jobs, including being an actor, a massageRead more →

Mr David Gordon

June
10

Consultant Foot and Ankle Surgeon aka The Bunion Doctor, Mr David Gordon, spilled his secrets on 'healthy feet' and his favourite spots to visit in West London.

Where is your practice based?

I work across three separate hospitals, Spire Harpenden Hospital which is in Hertfordshire, Spire Bushey Hospital in North London and at the London Clinic, based in Marylebone.

What is your favourite place to visit or favourite thing to do in London?

I love visiting The… Read more →