©shirleyboyce2016
I grew up in the shadows of a long gone industrial area of Scotland. A place where the idea of Fashion/Art was largely regarded as frivolous, and in which one would never be able to make a living. Leaving at the age of 20, I headed for the bright lights of London, to explore a whole new world of opportunity and undeniable challenge, a place where I was to experience some of my greatest joys and achievements as well as at times struggle.
There was no longer familiar people, places, only a constant flow of new situations, impressions and people. A place where to get ahead you had to learn to work with your wits around you and to go at full power and to react to whatever presented itself, your senses permanently alert, where everything went be it style, art, fashion were in constant flux and it didn’t really matter where or what you came from how you dressed or the lifestyle you led, it was what you had to give as an individual that counted. It was possible to create and recreate yourself unfettered and to move into unknown areas of work if you could prove ability and initiative.
Having grown up in a town with no pretensions and nothing showy, where the motto was hard work pays and will get you everywhere, I took London on and decided to make it mine.
© Shirley Boyce
Feb.2016