b'CHARLIE GLADSTONETheres so much to love about Caroline Joness extraordinary project that its hard to know where to start. But start I must and so Ill open with one of the key themes ofKnickers Models Own , the one that struck me hardest when I first heard about the project, way back in the mists of January 2015.And thats turning adversity into somethinghave to be a super glamorous charity shop positiveandultimatelyintotriumph.Forin a ritzy part of town because if you have most of us, life isnt tough all of the time; butthe confidence in your choices you can rock bad times do hit us all and its our ability toalmost anything.deal with these that defines our ability toAh, confidence! Yes, thats another thing flourish as human beings. Its easy to bethat Caroline has shown us; another thing creative,braveandadventurouswhenI love about Knickers Models Own. I have things are going well but its a lot harderwatched Caroline grow in confidence with when the chips are down. Caroline caneach week. Back in January, there she was, teachusallsomethingreallyimportantposing almost apologetically. By Easter time here; it is possible to get up, dust yourselfshe was throwing some pretty confident downandforgeaheadwhenbadstuffshapes and piecing together some equally happens. Its up to us to help ourselves;confident outfits. And, at the time of writing, friends and family will be beside us but onlyat the tail end of the year, shes become we can truly shape our own lives. Whensomething of a style icon. Look at me and Caroline was hit with the tragedy of herlearn shes saying you dont have to be a beloved mothers untimely death she decided to do somethingslave to trends to look amazing; you just have to believe in your clever, original and creative to help her to come to terms with theown style (shes actually far too modest to say that, but thats what grief. And it worked! She not only raised loads of money but -moreI imagine her saying). It aint what you do, its the way that you do importantly I suspect - she showed herself, her children and herit. Thanks, Caroline.legions of online followers that even the darkest of clouds can haveAnd now we have this wonderful book, full of confidence, a silver lining if you want them to. Its up to you. inspiration, guidance, creativity and generosity. Its a triumph. The What else? Well, another fascinating and important strand to thisfirst phase of Knickers Models Own may be over; neatly sandwiched project is Carolines considered approach to clothing. In a worldinto these pages but well be hearing more from Caroline. In the overflowing with fast, cheap, disposable fashion which encouragesmeantime take a good look and think what Caroline can teach you; us to buy endless clothes we neither want or need, most of us buytheres a lot to learn.way too many clothes. Caroline has made me - and countless others, I suspect - think about what we buy just a little bit harder. I think this is important; buy carefully, think harder about what you buy and ultimately you will buy less but better. Oh, and CarolineCharlie Gladstonehas made us think in fresh ways about charity shops, too. You tooFounder of Pedlars & co-founder of can look fabulous after a rummage in a charity shop. And it doesntThe Good Life Experience Festival Page 29'