Home Comforts: Georgiana Huddart’s keepsakes and kitchen essentials

Doesn’t everyone love those crinkle-stretch swimsuits of summers past? The answer – bearing in mind the stupendous success of Hunza G, the label Georgiana Huddart – is a resounding yes. Hunza, as it was known when it was founded in 1984, was the brand behind Julia Roberts’ blue-and-white cut-out mini dress in Pretty Woman. Celebrated for its high-leg body-con swimsuits and Day-Glo palette, it was ’80s as an avocado suite. But things went quiet in the 1990s and, until recently Hunza had almost disappeared ­– almost. At around this time, Georgiana, a thrifty student with a shrewd eye, noticed a wave retromania gripping the fashion world. Armed with an idea, she would go on the hunt for second-hand swimsuits in Hunza’s signature fabric before transforming them into new styles.

A chance encounter with Hunza founder Peter Meadows saw the birth of Hunza G in 2014, with Georgiana at the helm. Today, the company is known for its inclusive one-size approach and emphasis on sustainability, making its own material, with no deadstock or wastage.

Yet despite her runaway success (Rihanna and the Hadid sisters are fans), Georgiana is decidedly down to earth – and, as we learn from her Home Comforts, somewhat sentimental too…

My most recent home improvement…
I recently redid the garden and tried to build the garden furniture myself… I needed some extra help in the end.

The latest addition to my wardrobe… Some Mary Jane flat pumps from Le Monde Beryl, which I wear nearly every day. I am 6ft 3, so it can be hard to find shoes that aren’t trainers that don’t make me feel like a giant.

The most useful item in my kitchen…
It’s either my hand-held lemon squeezer, or the Japanese knife my brother gave me for Christmas. The knife is scarily sharp; it’s very satisfying to use and makes chopping anything a real joy. It means I am always offering myself up as the in-house sous chef.

What’s always in my fridge…
Houmous, fizzy water and chocolate.

The prize bottle in my drinks cabinet… 
A bottle of wine I was given when my son, Frank, was born. I haven’t drunk it as it’s hard to know when to open special things like that. My wedding in July, attended by just my immediate family, would have been a good time…

Hanging on my walls… 
Pieces by various people: Alba Hodsoll, Harley Weir, Victor Pasmore, Faye Wei Wei.

The knick-knacks on my mantelpiece…
I have a huge piece of malachite and some bookends made of petrified wood, which hold a set of miniature novels. There’s also an ashtray my parents stole from a hotel in the 1980s, a vase of peonies, Frank’s toys, some swirly candlesticks bought from Quite Different, a candle snuffer and a Kinder Egg.

The books on my shelf right now…
JD Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. Meg Wolitzer’s The Female Persuasion. Ann Patchett’s The Dutch House. Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See.

The music on my stereo…
Kate Bush, Khruangbin, Neneh Cherry, Shuggie Otis, Darondo.

Growing in my garden…
Tulips. And too many weeds. I need to spend more time out there.

Hidden away in my cupboards…
I am quite a hoarder! I have all my art books from school, all the letters and notes written by girlfriends between the ages of six and 18, old pictures, everything ex-boyfriends gave to me. I don’t throw away anything – I think I must be sentimental…

On my to-do list…
Throw away at least half of the things mentioned above, including but not limited to: used notebooks, school books, letters and birthday cards. Fix my car, which I reversed into a tree. Teach Frank how to swim.

Further reading

Hunza G

Hunza G on Instagram

Georgiana on Instagram