Let’s start by telling everyone where you are from?
I am British by background, born in Wales and then moved to London in my early years and grew up there. I emigrated to Australia in the early 2000s and have been in Sydney since then. But the UK and Wales especially is home and where my heart is.
When did you first start dressing and how did it come about?
As soon as I hit puberty in my teenage years and started having sexual feelings and curiosity (this was in the days of zero sex education in reality from society institutions or parents) about those feelings, I was drawn immediately when looking at the Men’s glamour model magazines of the day (Mayfair, Penthouse etc), to the models dressed in lingerie, stockings & suspender belts (garter belts) with stilettos.
Within I would say a few months of first playing with myself to those women’s images, I tried dressing up in some of my mother’s lingerie.
That then moved onto me going out and buying a small amount of suspender belt, stockings, a bra and some knickers with my pocket money 😊. I found a size 8 pair of cheap ladies stilettos and bought those. I had all this kept in a plastic bag which I hid in our family house loft space under a floorboard in the loft. I often wonder if they are still there in that house as I never retrieved them from there when I left home.
When I first dated as a teenager, I believe my joy in dressing as a woman moved from the fantasy of me doing so to being with women in real life. It lay dormant for close on 30 years throughout my growing up, adult life and my marriage.
Then in my late 40s, a beautiful lady friend of mine said to me, that I was so into the look, feel and touch of it, and loved being with a lady wearing sensual lingerie with stockings and a suspender belt walking confidently in her heels, had I dressed up in that way myself. That evening I tried on the stockings and suspender belt I had bought for her. And wow, I loved every second of that.
I had always adored women and have strong feminine traits in my character. But this was a different uplifting feeling as if I had found a different soft and sassy side to me. Over the next couple of years, it developed gradually to dressing up a few more times, buying some lingerie and heels. Then a couple of other beautiful women friends of mine encouraged me to go to their house and we had a dress up day. The next time they did hair and make up for me and before long I then took a big leap and did a photoshoot. I loved that experience and was blown away at how feminine, sensual but classy the photos looked – thanks to the photographer! I then knew Sophia had been born and it will forever be part of my life.
How did you come up with your Femme name?
For me, dressing the way I enjoy, being the way I love to see ladies dressed as well, is all about a classy, sophisticated, sensual and sassy style that is empowering for the lady and confidence building for her. Sophia and those ladies wear this style, whilst also one that many men (and women) find alluring and sexy, because they wear it for themselves first and foremost. I love classic timeless elegance and style……but for Sophia, with some edge.
A cheeky flirty finish that says, life is for living.
Think Audrey Hepburn, Doris Day, Marilyn Monroe, Julia Roberts, Demi Moore, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Halle Berry, Lauren Bacall, Rosamund Pike, Honor Blackman and Raquel Welch (showing my age now…). And then Sophia Loren came to mind….and that was it. Sophia 💯.
Just today, a wonderfully supportive lady friend of mine has messaged me about the meaning and origins of the Sophia name… A Greek name meaning “divine wisdom”. Described as “optimistic, energetic, intelligent and makes friends easily. She is amazing, talented and when she has something to say, people will listen. Those lucky enough to meet Sophia will never forget her outer and inner beauty.” Well without really knowing it at the time, that is in a number of ways me at my best and certainly what I aspire to be. I know in my heart Sophia is my name and was meant to be it always.
How often do you dress?
It has increased in the last 12 months from say 1-2 times a month to more often. In this current month for example, I will dress and go out as Sophia 6 times. I must follow up on that promise to myself at the beginning of this year that I have to learn to do some basic make up for myself so I can dress more often without having to use a make-up artist every time…😋
Are you married/in a relationship? If yes, are you able to share your female self with your partner?
I am single and ready to mingle 💋. I was married for a long time but divorced some years ago now. At this stage of my life, I am exploring myself in various ways. I remain 💯 attracted to women but am trying new experiences and following my curiosity now as I break free from society’s constructs historically of love and relationships.
Tell us what goes into getting the perfect photo?
Having a sense of what I wish to feel and convey in the image. I am a strongly emotive person, as Sophia and as a man. It is the whole of the shoot and the picture – the outfit, the shoes, the lingerie, stockings and suspenders I am wearing underneath, the scenery or location, the make-up and hair, and most importantly, allowing myself to be free in my head with my thoughts.
That way the reader can see me through my eyes, my body language, my facial expressions, the way I stand..telling a story, and hopefully helping women feel good about themselves and empower themselves to do something that they love doing….for themselves. Naturally the photographer is a huge part of this – having someone who makes you feel relaxed and creates the vibe and atmosphere for you to let go and not think you are being photographed.
What are some of your favorite outfits/fashions?
Well where do I start……I think Sophia’s wardrobe is fast outgrowing my male wardrobe.
Classic, elegant and sassy. I love the corporate office look, pencil skirts, blouses, stiletto pumps heels and has to be with seamed stockings. The glamour days of the 1950s, Panam hostesses with the white gloves, corsets, hourglass shapes and the mixture of fitted, shaped dresses and skirts with flowing pleats and kicking out from the waist swing dresses, but with a modern twist. But also nothing like then to have edge – leather jackets, skirts and dresses, lace almost see through tops and panels in a dress. I fell in love with Rizzo from the Pink Ladies in Grease as a teenager.
Think Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman at the Polo, when she goes shopping on Hollywood Boulevard. Nothing like an LBD cocktail dress with a cheeky neckline or skirt slit allowing a little leg to show and if you are lucky, the odd glimpse of a stocking top held taught by the suspender clip.
And of course, ball gowns dressed up to go to the Ball. The epitome of being a lady.
Variety is what I enjoy. So I am feeling equally feminine in a pair of jeans, a top and ankle boots of sneakers. A fitted trouser suit now. But they are styled, fitted and matched. And accessorized – a hat still to me as a lady, adds so much class and sophistication to an outfit. And heels, heels and heels – personally, I am a closed toe addict.
Stockings or pantyhose?
In man’s fashion and buttoning up a jacket, there is a mantra – “always, sometimes and never”. For a 3 button men’s jacket, middle one always, top one sometimes and bottom one never.
Well for women’s hosiery it is for me stockings always, stay ups sometimes and pantyhose never. I am addicted to traditional stockings with a suspender belt (worn with the straps through your briefs or things…..).
Heels or flats?
Heels are always the first choice even with casual clothes. Point, thin stilettos and closed toe pump style. They elongate your legs, help tone your legs and give you confidence in my view. And sensuality. But I do enjoy flats as part of the contrasting fashion style.
Favorite places to go when dressed?
Definitely evening venues so I can dress up. Cocktail bars, concerts, shows and bistros. I do love a ball and champagne drinks. I am starting to explore the drag show, burlesque and cabaret scene as well.
Go to accessories for a night out?
Heels first…!!! Then earrings, bag and necklace..
Who is/are your female role model(s) and why?
Sophia Lauren – wonderful combination of presence, inner and outer beauty and timeless grace.
Audrey Hepburn – similar reasons. Grace, elegance and style with class who turns heads always.
The common theme – all strong women who relish and enjoy embracing their feminine side for themselves and project confidence and female empowerment.
Tell us some fun facts about yourself. What are your hobbies (either when dressed or not), likes, things you do in your spare time, or anything else you would like to share?
I love team sports, being fit and healthy and enjoying life. I had tea with Princess Margaret many many years ago! Horses are a passion for me now in my life and a dream of mine has come true in that I now play polo and have my own (multiple…..) polo horses.
Travel is also a vital component to my enjoyment of life and meeting new people. Mountains, sea, coasts and open plains and fields are my favorite scenic vistas, from the South Wales hills to “Out of Africa” safari plains, to Patagonia in South America, to the European Alps and French Riviera, to Nepal and the Himalayas, to North America and all its variety. On my bucket list still to do are Nepal and hiking to Everest Base Camp, Antarctica, Canada, the Falkland Islands, driving across the USA, Trans-Siberian railway and numerous countries horse riding!
Any stories you would like to share about yourself and your journey?
Looking back, I can see now that it has taken me a long time to truly find myself as Sophia and be totally comfortable with her and me. I am excited to see what the future holds and wish to thank all those women friends of mine who have encouraged, supported, helped, listened to, and stood beside me on my journey. The support has been incredibly humbling and heart-warming. I only hope I can help others to start or continue their own journey, that is what gives me purpose and excitement now on my Sophia journey.
If you have social media, what is the best way for others to follow you?
Instagram is my current only social media account for Sophia – @sophia_anderson_style but am likely to add one or two more.
I welcome emails to sophia@sophiaanderson.com.au and you can contact me via my website https://www.sophiaanderson.com.au
Before we go, would you like to send a message to your fellow girls out there or a closing statement.
Live. Love. Laugh. Listen. Learn.
This is a mantra for me in all aspects of my life, whether as Sophia or as a man. Listen to your head and heart and allow yourself to surrender a bit to an unknown journey for you in exploring your desires and paths to follow. It has taken me a long time to see this myself and embrace it, step by step. So let it take the time it is meant to be.
But most importantly do what you wish to do for yourself first. Self-care and looking out for yours truly as a priority is the way to go for happiness and life long memories. Go for it girls and take control of your life as you want it. Believe in that and it will come….in time.
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