Nene People Dagmar Price’s quirky shop - boheme in Wansford - celebrates our most cherished British designer Vivienne Westwood. Stocking men’s and women’s clothing, and accessories including bags, belts, scarves, ties and sunglasses, super-stylish Dagmar attracts customers to her shop from all over the country and she sells online too.
Dagmar Price, owner of boheme, Wansford Tell me how you came to have this beautiful shop! I started boheme in 2000, so it’s almost 18 years ago now. I felt that this beautiful Georgian building was ideal for selling Vivienne Westwood clothing and accessories. I did have a shoe shop previously in Northamptonshire and although I loved doing it, my heart was in clothing! Why did you choose Wansford? At the time I had no intention of opening another shop but after thinking about it, I just though to myself, why not give it a try? Wansford is a beautiful village with great amenities but it was really the building that sold the idea to me. I knew the owners and they wanted to sell, so that’s really how it came about. How did your love for Vivienne Westwood clothing begin? It started when my son Lee worked for her. I always thought of her as a Punk designer but then in the 1980s, her design influences expanded and developed. She went more towards using historical influences and that was more interesting for me. Her take on everything is what I think of as a “Vivienne” twist, and I love her clever use of beautiful fabrics. What is it about her designs that make her so special in your opinion? I love her tailoring and the tweeds, tartans, argyles and herringbones which she uses, they are such classic fabrics, which I personally have collected and worn over the years and which I am still wearing! What is your favourite piece of clothing in your wardrobe? I love all of her designs, they will never date because they are so unique. I do feel that Vivienne’s idea of buying well and buying less is a way of life I wish more would adopt. If you take care of good clothes, then they do last. Have you ever met her? I did meet Vivienne once when I used to go to the fashion shows in London when I sold the new seasonal collections, which I did for 15 years. I now mainly sell her vintage pre-loved pieces, and sometimes the new pieces too. Tell me a bit about your customers I’m very lucky, I have got lovely customers who come here from all over the country and who I think more of as friends. When they come to look, sometimes they buy and sometimes they don’t. It doesn’t matter to me, just to see them and play catch up is great. I would hate to think that anyone felt I’d talked them into buying anything they didn’t want. I also give honest opinions. If I felt something really didn’t look right, I would say so! Which other designers and designs do you admire? I like Keith Haring for his abstract design, David Hockney and also Moorcroft pottery, which is very tactile. I also love the idea of antique chairs upholstered with modern fabrics. What is your favourite local café or restaurant? In Wansford, we are really spoilt for choice. We have The Paper Mills Pub, The Wansford Country Lounge Café and Bar and The Haycock Hotel all on the doorstep. It’s brilliant! What else do you like about your village? We’re so lucky to have a shop with a post office, a health centre with a pharmacy and dentist, plus there is the VOW Bridal Gallery next door to me! It’s a great community here. 44
NENE LIVING FEBRUARY 2018
PORTRAIT: ELLI DEAN WORDS: SALLY STILLINGFLEET boheme - Drayton House, London Road, Wansford, PE8 6JD Tel 01780 784799. Open Tuesday – Sunday, 11am – 4.30pm. www.bohemeclothing.com
Dagmar’stop three weekend recommendations
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I love to go to Burghley Park for a long walk.
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I’d recommend popping into The Orangery at Burghley House for coffee and cakes or lunch.
A trip to Ferry Meadows is always on my list when my family visit.