Fiona Hodges, Creator and Designer

Seraphina, my ready to wear brand for mother and daughter, was founded in 2016.  My collections are for the modern woman seeking a functional yet chic and timeless wardrobe.  Each style is thoughtfully created with incredibly feminine and often intricate detailing. I ensure this timeless styling sits perfectly alongside comfort and functionality with the addition of a little star quality. These elements are what  I believe gives Seraphina it’s unique handwriting. 

Every season I also create a selection of ‘age appropriate’ daughter’s dresses that compliment wonderfully a selection of the women’s styles.  Both coordinated pieces, mother and daughter are beautiful together, however, they are all equally beautiful stand-alone pieces.

Inspired by my time spent in India as a child, my love of foreign travel, my love of colour and exquisitely designed prints and embroideries, the collections are forged to give confidence to the Seraphina woman.. How my customer will ‘feel’ wearing a dress is always at the forefront of my mind when designing.

Having started my working life for 3 years at the London office of VOGUE Magazine as PA to the Managing Director, I was given the opportunity to work in Sydney HO as PA to the Editor-in-Chief of VOGUE, VOGUE LIVING and VOGUE ENTERTAINING. I later returned to London where I worked alongside Anoushka Hempel at her couture atelier and Blakes Hotel on her refurbishment of the hotel.

After marrying and relocating to Somerset, I became keen for a new creative outlet. I briefly worked for Roger Saul at Mulberry and oversaw the refurbishment of Charlton House Hotel in Somerset.   

Having two children at day school and trying to juggle holidays around a young family, I felt the time was right to work for myself and launch my own label.  I always felt I would eventually launch a business in either home interiors or fashion, so I was fulfilling a long-standing dream.  After a holiday in India in my 30’s, I became immersed and inspired by the enthralling world of textiles, print and colour and quickly booked a flight to return to India one month later in search of artisans to collaborate with. 

“I bought some fabric in the market and found a one-man-band to make up a dress. He took my fabric up to his roof terrace where he sat with a simple sewing machine and views of the city.  He made my idea become a reality. The joy of seeing cloth turn into clothes and me overseeing that process gave me such a thrill. I guess I’ve been hooked on the magic ever since.”