Vanessa founded independent fashion store Collen & Clare in Southwold 20 years ago this autumn. With a reputation for great customer service and style, the business has regularly been cited by fashion editors and influencers as one of the best independents in the country. Vanessa is regarded by many as an intuitive buyer, spotting and supporting new trends, and bringing them back to East Anglia. She chats with Gina Long...


What is your connection to East Anglia?

I am both Norfolk and Suffolk. I was born in Gorleston in Norfolk and have lived in Suffolk for much of my life but constantly flit between the two, I think that makes me a proper East Anglian.

What is your East Anglian heaven?

The skies and the beach, I need them both, the bigger the better.

What is your East Anglian hell?

That it takes two hours to get out of it whichever way you go.

What are your favourite local restaurants?

In Norfolk I love the food from the Tuscan Farm Shop in Burnham Market - pasta just like it is in Italy. And in Suffolk it has to be Le Roc at the harbour in Southwold. Too much of a regular haunt.

What’s your favourite East Anglian landmark?

Blythburgh Church. When driving up the A12 at night it is the true beacon of home (so much so we called our daughter Blythe).

What’s the best thing that happens in East Anglia every year?

Autumn. The light here becomes magical and the beaches are empty (just don't tell too many people).

What is your specialist Mastermind subject?

Cars. I can spot all makes and models from the 80s, 90s and 00s and would love to be a rally or racing driver.

What is always in your fridge?

Half an onion. My parents came to visit when I was working in New York years ago and after the long journey from Suffolk they arrived at my apartment with the all-important enormous fridge - it literally had just half an onion in it.

What’s your simple philosophy of life?

Get enough sleep - nothing works without it.

What’s your favourite film?

I am a sucker for a bit of romance and a leading lady with a brilliant wardrobe. The Thomas Crown Affair and Something's Gotta Give fit the bill perfectly.

What was your first job?

Manning the frozen yoghurt kiosk at Pleasurewood Hills in Lowestoft. The mint green overall dress and American tan tights were not a fashion highlight.

What is your most treasured possession?

My 1950s engagement and wedding ring, it makes me smile.

Who do you admire most?

My mother. She has a style and strength about her (and rather annoyingly she seems to be right about almost everything).

What is your biggest indulgence?

Interiors magazines. My family complain about the stacks of them I leave around our house. I would love to have an interiors shop and build a house one day.

What do you like about yourself most?

I smile a lot.

What’s your worst character trait?

A tendency to be bossy, my family call me 'Attila'.

Where is your favourite holiday destination?

North Norfolk for regular weekends...and Italy. We visit friends in 'coastal Tuscany' most summers and I treasure those simple days.

Best day of your life?

Every day that I pull off being a mum, wife and business owner. It is a privilege to be any one of those but occasionally the magic happens when all three go well.

What’s your favourite breakfast?

I make a frozen berry smoothie with oats and a little peanut butter every day. Long live my Nutribullet.

What’s your favourite tipple?

A pale rose called Bandol that a very generous friend plies me with each summer. He buys the rather large bottles and we always seem surprised when we manage to empty it.

What’s your hidden talent?

Making the jewellery look good in store. It’s the only area I am allowed to 'merchandise', in every other regard I just make a mess (words from my team).

What’s your earliest memory?

Fabulously long days with my sister roaming around the family farm. Iwill gloss over the matching outfits and pudding bowl haircuts we had.

What would you like played at your funeral?

Pavarotti singing Caruso, I don't understand a word of it but I am sure he says 'Vanessa' (perhaps Banessa) a couple of times and it seems suitably stirring and serious.

Tell us something people don’t know about you?

I never get the lyrics to any song right, as you can tell from the response above.

What’s the worst thing anyone has ever said to you?

My children asking me not to get out of the car when I drop them at school with comments of 'nobody in their right mind would wear a skirt like that'. I will keep working on their styling lessons.

Tell us why you live here and nowhere else?

I am so deeply rooted in East Anglia. It is my absolute 'home home'. I love to travel and explore but coming home is exactly that, home.

What do you want to tell our readers about most?

We just hosted a fashion show to celebrate 20 years of Collen & Clare (I write this hoping it went well) and raising funds for the RNLI. I would like to say thank you to all those who have supported my business and if I can encourage anyone to shop local and support independent stores please do. I have always, and will always suggest that we buy less but buy better.

If you have a story, email gina@hallfarmfornham.com or follow Twitter: @geewizzgee1 Instagram: @ginalong_geewizz