THE FASHION PIECE I'LL NEVER THROW AWAY

For Gillian Smellie, 61, one precious item provides a link to her past

- LOUISE BATY

Each time I step outside and the sun is shining, I snap open my fabric glasses case, embroidered with colourful flowers, and retrieve my retro sunglasses. If I catch a glimpse of my reflection while wearing them, I see someone else gazing back.

My stylish mother, Olga, was never without her 1960s 'cat's eye' sunglasses, and she taught me so much about fashion. As a little girl, I was in awe of my mother - who I always called Mummy even when I became an adult. When I was growing up, she worked as a lawyer, but was also a skilled seamstress. She taught me to sew and embroider, and encouraged me to see the value of quality clothing.

At jumble sales near our home in Notting Hill, we'd root around for second-hand designer cast-offs.

'Look at this, a Pringle cashmere jumper being sold for pennies,' she exclaimed, triumphantly, at one sale in 1970, when I was six, and we were both thrilled.