Posted on May 8th, 2009 at 12:40 pm by 
I’ve been sipping Earl Grey in a very smart London hotel. It felt good to be decadent as I nibbled on the cucumber sandwiches and shamelessly tried each of the cakes on the stand, ignoring calories and telling myself I should savour every minute – and mouthful.
It seems I was not alone. In an hour, amongst business men, tourists and couples savouring their anniversary celebrations, I saw three very well known British beauties, all entirely different and spanning three generations, but on reflection, representing everything which is good about this country and our own unique style.
The first was Kate Moss. Dressed in skinny jeans, a casual jacket and heels she could have been any other girl on the high street, but for her ridiculously pretty features and effortlessly easy manner. She wore confidence like a halo, and as she ‘walked the walk’ through the hotel reception, she summed up the terrific energy and drive of much of today’s youth. She really appears to have that ‘take it or leave it’ attitude that combined with charm is so sexy, and has done wonders for embracing High Street fashion.
The second was the very stunning Kirstin Scott Thomas. Who else could be dressed in very chic, very tailored back and wear an extravagant hat with feathers perched on her beautiful head and look completely at home at 4.00 pm with her afternoon cuppa? Like Kate, she appeared incredibly comfortable in her own skin, aware of the admiring looks yet seemingly totally absorbed in the company of her husband and children. And those cheekbones – no wonder she looks so fabulous on film. She may live in Paris now, but to me, today, in London, she was the epitome of the English lady.
And thirdly was the wonderful Virginia McKenna. Virginia and her husband Bill Travers made us all aware of wildlife conservation long before saving the planet, adopt an elephant, name a star and save the whale type projects hit our shores and became slogans written into every marketing man’s brief. Awareness through the film Born Free and the subsequent birth of the Born Free foundation, has helped save precious African wildlife from poaching and slaughter and has been a powerful voice against the use of animals in the circus. Unlike Kate and Kirstin, Virginia was not dressed to impress. She doesn’t need to. There was a wonderful understated eccentricity about her – a real artist totally dedicated to her cause and clearly driven by a very real passion.
Three very different women with I imagine very different lives and loves, but who sum up the diversity of us in Britain and the opportunities out there. In these troubled times its easy to become negative and disheartened, but for me, today, seeing these three women gave me a real impetus and a real sense of ‘Yes, I can’.
And no, it isn’t all that sugar talking!
marigold x
