This month, we’re celebrating 40 years of Whistles store at St. Christopher’s Place: our first flagship store to open in the UK. Celebrating this milestone, and also life in Whistles, we visited our St Christopher’s Place store to speak with Leann, a Senior Sales Advisor who’s been with us for an incredible 20 years. From her earliest introduction to fashion to her favourite pieces she’s collected over the years, we caught up with Leann to reflect upon her two decades spent with Whistles.

20 years working at Whistles is an amazing achievement. If you had to pick one, what’s been your favourite moment working with the brand?

I think it’s probably the millions of friends I’ve met over the years. It’s been very diverse for me, very diverse – I’ve met all types of people that I’m still friends with now. Also, all of the clothes that I’ve saved over the years; I’ve got a 13 year old who is actually able to wear some of the pieces I used to wear when I first joined. To me, it’s like a cycle, because hopefully my child can pass it on, too.

With working at Whistles for two decades, you’ve been witness to many different collections throughout the years. What’s been your favourite Whistles piece you’ve collected during this time and why?

My favourites are probably my leather pieces. I think I bought my first one when I was eighteen before I worked at Whistles, but I still have it today. But I’ve actually brought with me another of my favourite pieces: it’s a tank from 2006, with its collar and sleeves made from silk.

My favourites are probably my leather pieces. I think I bought my first one when I was eighteen before I worked at Whistles, but I still have it today.

What is your favourite part of working here at Whistles St Christopher’s Place?

It kind of feels like home. I would say with Whistles that it’s been a transition for me, from me being a teenager to a career person, and then going through maternity and being a mother. Whistles has been with me throughout that journey, and I’ve always found something to wear. I did try to go to other places, but I always came back to Whistles, so I guess it’s just a part of me, really. Plus, I always meet lots of people – I know the regulars. I’ve had customers that come back and they’re like, “you’re still here”. I had one lady who used to bring her daughter in a buggy and now her daughter’s actually left home and I’m still here, which I think is really nice – she actually gave me a hug.

What advice would you give to anyone looking to create a career in fashion retail?

Don’t give up, really, as there’s something for everyone, so it depends on what type of journey you want to go through with fashion. I thought I was going to go into design, that’s why I went to London College of Fashion. But I found it more interesting to actually speak to the customers that are buying the products. So I don’t like to make clothes anymore, I prefer to help people buy them. So it was all natural to me, advising both customers and staff, actually, depending on what type of journey they’re on. My vision is always for them to keep the item and wear it for years to come.

I would say with Whistles that it’s been a transition for me, from me being a teenager to a career person, and then going through maternity and being a mother. Whistles has been with me throughout that journey, and I’ve always found something to wear.

We also sat down with the wider team at Whistles St Christopher’s Place, documenting their favourite looks from our new-season collections.