Verse Mother Fiona Murchison: by Lenny & Cece

Name: Fiona Murchison @fionamurchison

Place of birth: Devon, England

Occupation: Head of Creative, THE ICONIC

1. What is your style signifier?

Probably a variation on a big sleeved, lace, frill dress, a little on the OTT side. I love the details of an item, so anything with a big skirt or sleeves, amazing print or colour, lace, or intricate stitching will catch my eye. Although I'm not wearing that every day, jeans and a vintage-style blouse is another go-to look but I think I would be remembered for my tendency to be seduced by the statement dress. Haha.

2. What is your most cherished piece of jewellery?

A locket that was given to me by my best friends parents after she passed away. And my wedding rings.

3. What is the last thing you purchased and loved?

A very pretty, puff sleeve floral print taffeta Self Portrait dress (see above comment on style signifier) that I have zero occasion to wear and no reason to need right now but I love love it so I'll look forward to wearing it when lockdown ends. For now, just seeing it in the wardrobe is such a mood lifter! Although, if lockdown doesn't end soon I may wear it for the coffee run.

4. What is currently on your wish list?

Far too many things!

A couple of pieces from Ciao Lucia, hand-painted chairs from Pierrot Chairs, pyjama set from Holiday by Emma Mulholland.

5. Your earliest fashion memory?

Hmm, tricky as I have so many memories of thinking about fashion and feeling very specific about outfits. I just loved window shopping when I was a kid, I spent a lot of time browsing the pages of catalogues (pre-digital!) and marking everything I wanted to wear, to planning outfits in my head. A few memories that come to mind are getting my first pair of Kickers (!), the absolute importance of what to wear on mufti day, being obsessed with the 90s looks of Winona Ryder, Rachel Green, and when I got a bit older, Kate Moss, and the necessity of watching Clueless on repeat - very cool. "My friends and I leant into the skirt-over-trousers and headscarf trend too - my sister was born in 1995, I was 10, naturally, I dressed her in these looks while she was a toddler. Lucky little sister haha!"

6. The beauty staple you’re never without?

I am fickle when it comes to beauty. Aesop tends to be a constant - the body balms always - the milk cleanser and toner, plus the chamomile masque, are more recent staples. I do always have a Clinique Dramatically Different moisturiser on the go too, and I've used Chanel Coco Mademoiselle for about 15 years.

7. What will you always find in your fridge?

Pretty standard stuff! A lot of fruit and veg, salmon, good butter and cheese. Lindt salted dark chocolate.

8. How do you stay healthy, well-being? Any tips or advice?

I don't exercise as much as I would like (standard mum life), but walking is my go-to. I recently became obsessed with getting 10,000 steps a day, it was weirdly addictive. Even if you only have half an hour it is so worth getting outside for a stroll. Pre-baby I went to Fluid Form pilates, usually once a week on a Saturday morning. The classes were my downtime, a reset from a busy week. I always felt so recharged afterwards, ready for the weekend. Fluid Form has an amazing online programme so I am attempting one of their challenges to keep moving while we are mostly at home. Committing helps enormously; I need to commit to a challenge, class or goal of some kind, otherwise it doesn't happen. Before this recent lockdown started I also went to a 'mums and bubs' circuits class, I'm very much missing those now, and would recommend joining a mum + baby class to anyone on maternity leave, it gives you a nice rhythm to the week and a bit of social time too.

9. What item of clothing did you add to your wardrobe recently?

The Self Portrait dress and a pair of New Balance Classics 992s.

10. What object would you never part with?

It's not one object, but all under the same category so hoping I can get away with it! The artwork we have collected over the years is very precious because it feels so personal and reflective of our style, it’s all quite bright and colourful and brings me a lot of joy. I need to add one more thing! Also, a Beata Heuman cushion - so in love with this cushion, coveted it for years before buying.

11. What are some of the challenges of being a working mother and how do you juggle it all?

Just keep going! Ha. My husband and I have a bit of a divide and conquer approach which works well but it is exhausting at times too, there's little time for a break. I try to go to bed very early one night a week, around 8 pm and do things in small bursts when I can. Baby sleep and awake windows are very short so rather than overcommit and get frustrated that I haven't completed things, I try to get just one thing done in each block of available time. On a workday, it's just about being fast, there's no time to waste! Prepping in advance also helps, for example making food ahead of time, or combining a work phone call with a walk so you get your exercise done as well. It is important to know when to give yourself a break too, some things just don't happen as you planned or when you need them to and that's OK, in these times I tend to think I'll start again tomorrow! Most weeks are an absolute whirlwind but it's a lot of fun too - music is great, keeps the energy up!

Fiona wears Verse Two Letters 18-Karat Gold Necklace 

Film photography: Lenny (5) Cece (2)