But celebrated dressmaker, who styled Princess Diana and Theresa May, has no regrets
: Stuart C Wilson/Getty
Fashion designer Amanda Wakeley has said growing her business “cost her the opportunity” to be a mother.
Wakeley, who has dressed Princess Diana and Theresa May, said her successful career has been spent making “a lot of women very happy” – but robbed her of the chance to become a mother.
The 62-year-old, one of Britain’s best-known fashion designers, opened up about her career and its impact on the Walking the Dog podcast.
She told the podcast’s host Emily Dean: “I grew a wonderful business with wonderful people within it and I hopefully made a lot of women very happy in the process – and that probably cost me the opportunity to be a mother.”
: Nicky Sims/Getty
But she stressed that she wasn’t looking for sympathy from the public, as she continued: “But don’t feel sorry for me, I’m fine with my choices.”
Wakeley said that she was “loving” being an aunt because she gets the “opportunity to be a proper sounding board to a grown up.”
And the designer said life wouldn’t be perfect even if she did have children of her own, but she’s learned to make the most of what she’s been given.
: Tim Graham/Getty
“I believe there is no nirvana in life. You have children and it’s not perfect or you don’t have children and it’s not perfect.
“Whatever path we have chosen, or whatever path we’re given, make the most of it.”
Wakeley has previously opened up about her decision to be child-free, despite the fact it’s not something that “still doesn’t sit easily in a culture with families at its heart”.
: Julian Simmonds
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