There is fashion and there is style and Rebecca Lewison-White has brought them together, along with a good dash of fun, at her St. Leonards boutique, Who’s Wearing What. The modestly-sized premises in London Road belie the range of garments and accessories displayed within. Strong design and good craftsmanship create clothes that fit the lives, shapes and ages of local women.

Rebecca Lewison-White

Like many individuals who have chosen to move to this part of the Sussex coast, Rebecca has an interesting back story. After singing professionally in London for 25 years and spending a further 2 ½ years travelling abroad, she decided it was time “to end one life and to start again from scratch”. As a result, she took a degree in interior design and retail display, ran a boutique in Hackney and had a stint working for a bespoke furniture maker. But a bigger change was called for.

12 years ago, and 4 years into her “5 year plan to get out of London”, Rebecca visited friends who were renovating a house in Hastings. After that overnight stay, she contacted estate agents and within 5 weeks had made her move. She knew St. Leonards was for her.

In 2012 Rebecca opened Who’s Wearing What. A naturally sociable personality, combined with a passion for clothes and a discerning eye that, in her view, “misses nothing” have helped her create a unique shop. She chooses her stock by visualising her customers: “Many have London clothes they find they can’t wear down here. They want items that are wearable by the seaside but that still look good.”

- Advertisement -

She buys twice a year at fashion shows. These include UK venues such as London and Birmingham, plus overseas events in Germany and France and occasionally Denmark. This year she visited Turkey for the first time and fell in love with Istanbul. Although there are currently no trade shows in that country, it is a manufacturing centre for the sort of clothes she sells. She likes to trust her instincts and “push boundaries” to keep customers excited with clothes that have the “wow” factor in cut, colour or fabric, clothes they won’t find on the internet. There are regular Sunday previews with Buck’s Fizz where customers can view new ranges and meet designer/makers, many of whom live in St. Leonards.

Beyond business, Rebecca loves coffee at Fika and eating at the Old Custom House. She also enjoys local art exhibitions and browsing in the basement museum at the Shirley Leaf & Petal Company in the Old Town.

We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The future of our volunteer led, non-profit publication would be far more secure with the aid of a small donation. It only takes a minute and we would be very grateful.

https://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/BUS-Rebecca-Lewison-White.jpghttps://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/BUS-Rebecca-Lewison-White-150x150.jpgSteve BrownBusinessRebecca Lewison-White,Who’s Wearing WhatThere is fashion and there is style and Rebecca Lewison-White has brought them together, along with a good dash of fun, at her St. Leonards boutique, Who’s Wearing What. The modestly-sized premises in London Road belie the range of garments and accessories displayed within. Strong design and good craftsmanship...The Hastings & St Leonards non-profit community newspaper