STYLE NEWS / KATHRINE OHM THOMAS

Featured in Style Guru  Date 12th June 2008

Kathrine Ohm Thomas, General Manager of Birmingham's renowned Radisson SAS Hotel. Here she tells Style Birmingham about her fashion failures and her love for the Bee Gees.

When you need to feel great, which item of clothing do you reach for? My Amanda Wakeley suits. They never fail to pick me up and make me feel amazing. Actually, they do what I need them to do each and every time. They make me feel glamorous, invincible, authoritative, feminine and powerful.

What is your biggest fashion faux pas? An horrific attempt at a stylish short crop. I should have known that at well over 5'5" there is no way I could carry off an impish pixie cut! With my red hair I looked like a punk rocker.

What does "style" mean to you? Gore Vidal said it perfectly: "Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say and not giving a damn." It's all about the individuality, personality and the panache to carry it off, whatever it may be.

What is the most embarrassing CD in your collection? To my daughter's horror, it's The Bee Gees The Greatest Hits. They are guaranteed to put a smile on my face, if not dance around my living room.

Describe the best night out in Birmingham? The best place is of course Filini, but if I am to venture out of my hotel then nothing can beat the Mailbox, especially in the great weather. There is a buzz about the place with everyone enjoying the balmy summer evenings in good company and with a drink. A brilliant place to people watch and check out the season's latest style statements.

What would you say to people who think Birmingham is lacking in style? That obviously it is in the eye of the beholder and depends entirely on one's understanding of style. Style, to me, isn't the result of cookie cutter choices. It's a representation of who a person is, where they come from and how they perceive themselves. Birmingham's 'style' comes from the fact it is a multicultural melting pot and embodies such diversity. A beautiful sari is as stylish as a Yohji Yamamoto suit. I'd say' Open your eyes... you may well be surprised.'

Which celebrity would be your dream date? George Clooney, most definitely. Dinner at his Lake Como home would be perfectly acceptable ... I don't ask for much! Although, I'd like to stipulate that, in my dream he's in a gorgeous tux with that mischievous glint in his eyes.

What are your guilty pleasures? My Crème de la Mer cream. It is such an obscene amount to pay for a jar of moisturiser but it makes me feel human every morning and I wouldn't like to go without it. I just try not to dwell on the cost involved and focus on the glow it brings to my skin.

When it comes to shopping in Birmingham, where do you splurge and where do you save? I splurge at Harvey Nichols. It is definitely quality not quantity for me. A few key pieces every season to add to my capsule wardrobe. I save at Gap, especially on simple, casual tops. It's a great place for basics that need to be replaced on a regular basis.

What's your top fashion tip? Grooming. No Birkin bag will ever hide cracked and chipped nail polish no matter what. It's not about what you are wearing; it's about how you present yourself.