- 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鈥檚 employee for 10 years and her daughter-in-law for 18, Rebecca鈥檚 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鈥檓 greeted with warmth and a glowing sense of humour. I鈥檓 not surprised to learn that she was a professional ballet dancer as she has that 鈥渕ajor powerhouse in a petite package鈥� energy.
Until last January, Rebecca owned the Bleue Coyote Bar & Grill in Brentwood Bay for 11 years. 鈥淚 thought I would retire, but that lasted three weeks,鈥� 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, 鈥淚 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.鈥� 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鈥檚 learned since 40? 鈥淚t鈥檚 to keep my circle small. Back in my 20s and 30s it was about quantity. But in the last few years it鈥檚 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鈥檚 important to have a solid circle of people around you.鈥�
Asked how she sees the business moving forward, she says,鈥淚 have big shoes to fill, but my husband keeps reminding me that I don鈥檛 need to fill anyone鈥檚 shoes, that I have different shoes. So I鈥檓 not looking to change Hughes, I鈥檓 just looking to pivot, put my feel on it. The store is Donna, it has been Donna for 36 years. I鈥檓 not looking to take Donna out of it, I鈥檓 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鈥檚 here already.鈥�
FASHION & BEAUTY
All-time favourite piece: Black cocktail dress.
Currently coveting: .
Favourite pair of shoes: .
Favourite day-bag: 鈥淢y classic black leather Prada bag; can鈥檛 go wrong.鈥�
Favourite work tool: 鈥淢y heart. Everything I do in business comes from my heart.鈥�
Favourite jewellery piece or designer: 鈥淭he three diamond intertwined circles on my necklace, symbolizing my kids and that bond I share with them. Next is a pair of Tiffany鈥檚 studs.鈥�
Fashion obsession: 鈥淪weaters! I have so many and I cannot stop buying them!鈥�
Accessory you spend the most money on: 鈥淪hoes and purses for sure! I remember saving up for my first Prada handbag.鈥�
Necessary indulgence for either fashion or beauty: 鈥淪plurge! You only live once. I鈥檝e always loved fashion and when I wear that special piece that makes me feel on the outside how I鈥檓 feeling on the inside, I know it works.鈥�
Moisturizer: Counter+ Overnight Resurfacing Peel by Beautycounter.
Scent: Eternity by Calvin Klein. 鈥淭hat fragrance just works for me. My husband knows when I walk into a room before he even sees me.鈥�
Must-have hair product: 鈥淢y hair blow dryer which is Tiffany鈥檚 blue! I鈥檓 a sucker for that colour.鈥�
Beauty secret: 鈥淟ess is more. I don鈥檛 wear makeup. Putting makeup on for this shoot was work enough!鈥�
STYLE INSPIRATION/LIFE
Style icon: Audrey Hepburn.
Favourite artist: Degas.
Piece of art: Local, DebraK.
Favourite fashion designer or brand: 鈥淭here are so many and very mood dependent! Right now, I would say , and .鈥�
Favourite Musician: 鈥淭ough one! The Smiths.鈥�
Era that inspires your style: 鈥�1960s, for sure.鈥�
Film that inspires your style: Breakfast at Tiffany鈥檚.
Favourite local restaurant: .
Favourite Cocktail/Wine: 鈥� are simply the best.鈥�
Album on current rotation: Depeche Mode, Violator.
Favourite Flower: Tulips.
Favourite city to visit: Maui.
Favourite Hotel:
Favourite App: 鈥淛eopardy 鈥� nerd alert!鈥�
Favourite place in the whole world: 鈥淎t home with my family.鈥�
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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Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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