Living Colour

In Her Newly Renovated Sydney Home, Claire Stokes Has Embraced A Bright, Feel-good Palette Evocative Of Her Sunny Personality

- Emily Taylor

Claire Stokes has had a very busy couple of years. Marrying one of Australia’s most eligible bachelors, Ryan Stokes, in late 2016 saw the proud Queenslander permanently relocating to Sydney after many months of commuting from the Sunshine State. “Sydney is totally unique,” she says of her newly adopted hometown. “There aren’t too many places in the world with such an incredible harbour and beautiful beaches so close to a busy city.” Queensland, though, was hard to leave. “I miss my mother, number one!” she exclaims. Her mother, Maryon Campbell, is the founder of Maryon’s Shoes, a renowned footwear and accessories emporium stocked with wares that have been making even the most seasoned fashionistas weak at the knees for 45 years. Stokes has run the longstanding enterprise for the past decade. “My mother is an incredible woman. The business was her baby but she knew we were both strong-minded and likely to clash,” Stokes reveals. “She consciously took a step back and gave me the opportunity to take [things] in whatever direction I wanted, to make sure I was able to make my own mistakes and learn from them.” With her relocation to Sydney, though, the time felt right to make the tough decision to sell Maryon’s and embrace a fresh start. “I miss the shoes!” she says of stepping away from her role, “but also our wonderful customers who shared a passion for beautiful accessories.” It’s a devotion still tightly held by Stokes herself, who confesses, “I have a dedicated shoe closet, whic