Wild At Heart is a tiny boutique in Falkirk town centre opened in July 2014 by Jenny Trotter. Here's my story.....
I have always been interested in clothes, accessories and jewellery, just like most girls I suppose, but when I was younger I can remember that I was more concerned with being like others, with fitting in and having what my friends had. It wasn't until I left school and entered the w
orld of hairdressing that I started thinking differently. I never wanted to be a hairdresser, my intention was to prepare myself for a career as a make-up artist, and by the mid 80's I was living in London, doing make up shoots for all the main fashion publications such as Vogue, Elle, Marie-Claire etc, ad campaigns for the likes of French Connection, Max Factor, Next & M&S, runway shows for Zandra Rhodes, Katherine Hamnett & John Galliano, and also the odd pop promo including a series of very famous Robert Palmer videos with all those glossy-lipped girls! It was a fun & glamorous time and I really developed a true interest in fashion and style, as well as a serious addiction to Azzedine Alaia, Franco Moschino & Dolce & Gabbana! But my absolute favourite shop in London was not a designer store, it was a tiny antique shop called Virginia, just opposite Julie's Bar on Portland Road, owned by the actress Virginia Bates. It was very 'French bo***ir', a dreamy treasure box of glass beaded lamps, beaded curtains, Barbola mirrors, etched glass & vintage china, feathers, satin, lace & embroidery draped everywhere. I became obsessed with antiques markets & vintage fairs, I was finding my style. And possibly losing my interest in make-up! By the mid 90's, due to a very badly timed property investment, I found myself back in my home town of Falkirk, still dabbling in make-up, but looking for a new venture. I started working part time for Steve Mackie at The Gilded Cage, a job which soon became full time and set me on course for my future in retail. I had worked in shops before, but The Gilded Cage was by far my best training ground. Steve involved me in every aspect of the business, and taught me so many of the things that now apply to my own business, from basic day to day shop administration, accounting, tax & VAT returns etc, to the more fun things like trade shows & buying, visual merchandising & display and most importantly, the desire to provide exceptional customer service & care, absolutely vital for any independent retailer today. Steve also gave me my first computer, opening up a whole new world for me, one I now find absolutely essential for business and personal use. I spent almost 13 happy years at The Gilded Cage, with it's many wonderful customers, and always with a great team around me. Around 2009 I confessed to Steve I would like my own shop one day, he was incredibly supportive and continued to encourage me. In 2011 I went into partnership with a friend and in July 2011 we opened Lula Bo***ir Boutique in Dunfermline. I returned to Falkirk in 2014, Wild At Heart is my first shop as a sole trader and opened in July 2014. The name Wild At Heart was inspired by a favourite David Lynch movie. The main character in the film (Sailor) wears a snakeskin jacket which at one point gets ridiculed, Sailor's response, "This is a snakeskin jacket, and for me it represents a symbol of my individuality and belief in personal freedom" Not only is it a great movie line, but for me it really represents the shop philosophy, style is individual, it's not just following trends or buying labels, it's how you put things together, whether you wear Primark or Prada or both together, having the confidence to wear what you like and be yourself. The shop is an eclectic mix of clothing, jewellery, accessories and gifts, with carefully chosen stock that changes frequently, hopefully offering a little something here and there that suits YOUR style!
