Carolyn Foord

CAROLYN SUSAN FOORD

Style icon, Entrepreneur, Fashionista, and Queen of Style

Carol lived life hard and threw herself into everything.
She was fearless, brave, and determined, an adventurous spirit. Always trying to solve the world's mysteries, always researching new and innovative health ideas. Never giving up to find answers to everything.

"Life is like a blank canvas; throw as much paint on as you can." And that she did.

I will start with Carol's story of how it all began.
Born Carolyn Susan Foord in the Isle of Sheppey, County of Kent, UK, on the 28th of January 1952,
To parents Jarvis and Patsy, a beautiful baby girl - little sister to Jennifer and Jacqueline. The three Musketeers - Jenny, Jacqui, and Carol.
The family resided in the UK for a further 3 years.
Later, the family moved to New Zealand, where two more additions were added to the Foord clan: Barbara and Michael.
The family lived in a wonderful house with 3 horses named Jaffa, Merrylegs, and Sally.
The backyard was filled with chickens and a little lamb called Lucy.
The family holidayed in Ohope Beach, Napier, and Rotorua. A little story from Carol's big sister Jacqui recalling their childhood together:

Jacqui was 15 months older than Carol, and they would do everything together: climbing trees, finding shells, birds' eggs, etc. Dad built them a great wooden go-cart, which they would load up with the next-door neighbours' bottles and take them down to the bottle depot. They would go and spend their earnings on some sweets. Carol would always speak her mind, even as a young child. One day, she was on a bus with the family and walked up to a little girl on the bus (about the same age as her, 5 or 6) and said, I quote, "Tell your mother to wipe your filthy nose." Even though she was outspoken, there was still the shy and sensitive Carol who would be insecure. Jacqui said, "I remember Carol coming to me at school and asking me to please give her my hanky as she had left hers at home." I gave her mine, and she said, "But what will you do, Jacqui?" Jacqui said, "Oh, I'll be ok - I'll just use my sleeve." We had a wonderful childhood together.

After 7 years in New Zealand, our father wanted to return to the UK to see his family - especially his mother.
Off we all went on our next adventure.
We stayed in the UK for one year when Dad got itchy feet once again, and the family decided to move Down Under to Australia.
We were in Australia for two years when tragedy struck the family.
Jarvis, known as Jack, was driving home from work and had a fatal car accident.
The family was left in devastating circumstances. No relatives and virtually no support, but my mother held firmly to her children. The 5 children were aged from 6 to 16, and Patsy was determined to keep the family together.

When Carol was 16, she started working at a small local shop in the office. From there, she went on to work at Southland Chrysler, where she met Cheryl Powell. Cheryl became a great friend and later a business partner.
Carol then got a job at Eastside Auto Auctions, and I came in to work with her as her junior. We were working together and sharing a flat together at Henley Beach …….. A 21-year-old and a 16-year-old.
Just imagine the fun we had together and all the antics we got up to. We had no money at the time and very little in the flat apart from some blow-up furniture. We lost one of the blow-up chairs when a heater got too close.
From Eastside to a major car firm, Carol was one of the very first saleswomen in SA.
Of course, Carol was always searching and reinventing herself, and it was the next phase of her life when she started her own business.
The Silver Shaft - a jewellery business, which would take her all over Adelaide selling jewellery - party plan style.
This was when Carol reconnected with Cheryl, and they both decided to go into a new business together selling fashion - party plan style again. I remember her loading up her car and travelling all over Adelaide to sell fashion. It was in 1975 that Carol and Cheryl decided to open the very successful boutique on King William Road called "Toffs."
Our mother, Patsy, and sister Jacqui worked in the office.
Cheryl decided to leave the business in 1980 to move to Melbourne.
The next amazing business was then created - the very well-known and loved Wild Child.
All of the ideas, logos, and business brilliance came from Carol.
Her styling and taste in fashion were second to none.
In all, Carol had 27 businesses. She was a pocket rocket trailblazing giant of Adelaide's fashion scene. A force for more than 50 years and running one of Adelaide's longest-running independent boutiques.
Some of the Wild Child boutiques included Melons (Unley Road), Toffeze (Burnside Village), shops in North Adelaide, Gawler Place, Glenelg, Midnight Tutu, Chapel Street Warehouse, Eastend Eclectic, Studio Barcelona, Church Studios, and many more.

A funny little story about Carol and me was when we went to the snow together. We both had some very trendy leather boots; they had flat soles. We decided to go out one night to one of the nightclubs, and we wanted to wear our boots. We came up with a brilliant idea to stop us slipping on the snow and decided to glue green scourer pads onto the soles of the boots. Off we went to the club in our newly designed boots. It really didn't work, but you can imagine the two girls coming back late at night, slipping all over the place, giggling and having the best time. Wow, those days were the best!

Carol never stopped reinventing herself and her businesses, always searching for new ideas and trends, keeping up with what was happening here and interstate. One very amazing woman!! With incredible style and passion for whatever she did. Carol touched so many lives and mentored many small business owners. Carol was a warrior, and when she was struck down with health issues, she constantly researched and tried everything to combat her illness. I love you so much and miss you every day.

A message from Carol's sister Jenny who is overseas at the moment:

To my beautiful sister Carol,
It is so very sad to say goodbye, and my heart is breaking. You have always been a wonderful example of determination and resilience, and you strove for excellence in all you did. I often used you as a shining example to my students. Not only that, but you are unbelievably kind and compassionate, caring for those around you, and I am especially grateful for the loving care you gave our mother.
You helped so many and took the time to assist those less fortunate than yourself.
Your generosity inspired many - a successful businesswoman, you always led by example and were never afraid to take risks.
Now we have the memories - those growing up as a loving family and then the special times we had together.
In particular, I cherish the 6 days I spent in Noosa with you - early morning yoga classes and coffee, the many rainforest walks and swims at the beach - such a special time for both of us to connect and enjoy each other's company with no one else around - I cherish that time.
At the same time, I realise how many people loved you - the family living close by, the children adored you, and the many people you connected to.
I pray that you are now in a beautiful place and that God has his arms around you. I love you so very much, and I am sad that I didn't get a chance to say goodbye. Rest in peace, beautiful sister. Love, Jenny.

Another message from Liza Emmanuel (Fashion Designer):

Carol was my first mentor; I worship her…. Always will.
I learnt so much from her!! Her vivacious, charming, cheeky nature was infectious.