- Story and photography by Lia Crowe
After 36 years, Donna Anderson has passed the glowing torch that is to her daughter-in-law, Rebecca Burrows. When Rebecca first arrived in Victoria from Winnipeg at age 19, Donna was the first person to give her a job. As Donna害羞草研究所檚 employee for 10 years and her daughter-in-law for 18, Rebecca害羞草研究所檚 professional life has taken her in different directions, but fashion has always been her passion and Hughes has remained very close to her heart.
As I meet Rebecca at Hughes to chat about life and style, I害羞草研究所檓 greeted with warmth and a glowing sense of humour. I害羞草研究所檓 not surprised to learn that she was a professional ballet dancer as she has that 害羞草研究所渕ajor powerhouse in a petite package害羞草研究所� energy.
Until last January, Rebecca owned the Bleue Coyote Bar & Grill in Brentwood Bay for 11 years. 害羞草研究所淚 thought I would retire, but that lasted three weeks,害羞草研究所� Rebecca laughs. So the opportunity to purchase Hughes Clothing presented itself and all the pieces fell into place. Rebecca officially took over as owner this fall. Asked what has surprised her the most about being back at Hughes after 14 years, she says, 害羞草研究所淚 was struck by how much I have changed since the last time I worked here. How much mellower I am, how much more comfortable I am in my skin. I have never been this happy and content in my life.害羞草研究所� Now 43, Rebecca is the mother of three children and two stepchildren, ranging in age from 7 to 13, so I ask her what is the most important life lesson she害羞草研究所檚 learned since 40? 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 to keep my circle small. Back in my 20s and 30s it was about quantity. But in the last few years it害羞草研究所檚 been about keeping my circle small, quality over quantity with everything. With relationships and even clothing and shoes. Keep it small. Why would I need more? It害羞草研究所檚 important to have a solid circle of people around you.害羞草研究所�
Asked how she sees the business moving forward, she says,害羞草研究所淚 have big shoes to fill, but my husband keeps reminding me that I don害羞草研究所檛 need to fill anyone害羞草研究所檚 shoes, that I have different shoes. So I害羞草研究所檓 not looking to change Hughes, I害羞草研究所檓 just looking to pivot, put my feel on it. The store is Donna, it has been Donna for 36 years. I害羞草研究所檓 not looking to take Donna out of it, I害羞草研究所檓 just looking to inject Rebecca into it. Bring in a few classic lines that I know and love and that I think will fit well in what害羞草研究所檚 here already.害羞草研究所�
FASHION & BEAUTY
All-time favourite piece: Black cocktail dress.
Currently coveting: .
Favourite pair of shoes: .
Favourite day-bag: 害羞草研究所淢y classic black leather Prada bag; can害羞草研究所檛 go wrong.害羞草研究所�
Favourite work tool: 害羞草研究所淢y heart. Everything I do in business comes from my heart.害羞草研究所�
Favourite jewellery piece or designer: 害羞草研究所淭he three diamond intertwined circles on my necklace, symbolizing my kids and that bond I share with them. Next is a pair of Tiffany害羞草研究所檚 studs.害羞草研究所�
Fashion obsession: 害羞草研究所淪weaters! I have so many and I cannot stop buying them!害羞草研究所�
Accessory you spend the most money on: 害羞草研究所淪hoes and purses for sure! I remember saving up for my first Prada handbag.害羞草研究所�
Necessary indulgence for either fashion or beauty: 害羞草研究所淪plurge! You only live once. I害羞草研究所檝e always loved fashion and when I wear that special piece that makes me feel on the outside how I害羞草研究所檓 feeling on the inside, I know it works.害羞草研究所�
Moisturizer: Counter+ Overnight Resurfacing Peel by Beautycounter.
Scent: Eternity by Calvin Klein. 害羞草研究所淭hat fragrance just works for me. My husband knows when I walk into a room before he even sees me.害羞草研究所�
Must-have hair product: 害羞草研究所淢y hair blow dryer which is Tiffany害羞草研究所檚 blue! I害羞草研究所檓 a sucker for that colour.害羞草研究所�
Beauty secret: 害羞草研究所淟ess is more. I don害羞草研究所檛 wear makeup. Putting makeup on for this shoot was work enough!害羞草研究所�
STYLE INSPIRATION/LIFE
Style icon: Audrey Hepburn.
Favourite artist: Degas.
Piece of art: Local, DebraK.
Favourite fashion designer or brand: 害羞草研究所淭here are so many and very mood dependent! Right now, I would say , and .害羞草研究所�
Favourite Musician: 害羞草研究所淭ough one! The Smiths.害羞草研究所�
Era that inspires your style: 害羞草研究所�1960s, for sure.害羞草研究所�
Film that inspires your style: Breakfast at Tiffany害羞草研究所檚.
Favourite local restaurant: .
Favourite Cocktail/Wine: 害羞草研究所� are simply the best.害羞草研究所�
Album on current rotation: Depeche Mode, Violator.
Favourite Flower: Tulips.
Favourite city to visit: Maui.
Favourite Hotel:
Favourite App: 害羞草研究所淛eopardy 害羞草研究所� nerd alert!害羞草研究所�
Favourite place in the whole world: 害羞草研究所淎t home with my family.害羞草研究所�
READING MATERIAL
Fave Print magazine: Vanity Fair.
Fave style blog: Hello Fashion Blog.
Coffee table book/photography book: Dior: The Art of Color by Jerry Stafford, Marc Ascoli and Richard Bernard Burbridge.
Last great read: Becoming by Michelle Obama.
Book currently reading: Guess Who by Chris McGeorge.
Favourite book of all time: Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert.
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