Dad and Dolly

A lifetime in the making…❤️ At the start of the year, I mentioned that Dad and I had been quietly working on a creative project together, and today (being Father’s Day) feels like the right moment to reveal a bit more about it. The project we’ve been working on is a clothing initiative, inspired by Dad’s wardrobe, attitude and life experience - and by the world we now share as we navigate life with dementia. Through it, we hope to show a side of ageing, caring, and intergenerational connection that doesn’t get enough attention, and to challenge some of the stigma and misunderstandings around early-stage Alzheimer’s. We’ve been thinking about and working on this for 18 months, and it has been such a joyful way for us to bond and to keep dad’s brain active.  It has also been a journey of creative self-discovery and a meaningful outlet for me as his daughter and carer. We’re getting ready to launch a website that will tell you more about the project, and will be the home of our first little collection of t-shirts and socks – ethically made in the UK to Dad’s quality standards, and inspired by a 70-year-old gym tee he still has from his alma mater - the United States Military Academy, West Point. As well as (hopefully) providing a sustainable income as I care for him, we’ll be donating a percentage of profits from the project to @alzheimersresearchuk to help protect future generations from this disease that affects so many families like ours around the world. To our wonderful community here – thank you for the love, and for helping me see and appreciate my dad’s wardrobe with fresh eyes. You helped give rise to this somewhat radical little idea. HAPPY FATHERS DAY to my absolute dude of a Dad. 😎 Stay tuned. x #fathersday #dadanddolly #dadanddaughter #styleandsubstance #intergenerational #slowfashion #positiveageing #careandcreativity #alzheimersawareness #madeinbritain #familybusiness #menswear

Dad giving ultimate DOGFATHER vibes in this epic portrait of the gang taken by the lovely @instannagram during a quick ‘models break’ at our fashion shoot with @paperlondon at @fshampshire earlier this summer. #britainsnexttopmodel #boss #dogfather

In the summer of 2021, my (then 85 year old) father moved into the flat next door to mine, so I could better and more easily support him as he was struggling with his memory. I gave him one of my two dogs - a Pomeranian called Dolly - to ease the transition and keep him company. This is account is about life caring for dad, his love story with Dolly (and my other dog Nicky (Mouse) and the fun we get up to. ❤️

We are ROLLIN! 🎲🎲🎲 Wise Guys drop 2 is here - a limited number of our original t-shirt and socks (including new colourways) are back in stock, PLUS we’ve got four new t-shirt designs for pre-order, bringing Dad’s enduring wisdom, wit and expressions to life. British-made by our factory partners in Leicester and Scotland, and each design created and printed with Dad at @the_printers_devil_letterpress in London, using antique wooden type on a 1940s letterpress. While our Wise Guy originals are in stock and available to ship now, our new tee designs are made to order, and only available to pre-order for a limited 3-week window (closing 31 May), as part of our commitment to sustainability and considered, small-batch making. As before, we’ll be making a donation from every sale to @alzheimersresearchuk supporting the search for a cure. We hope Dad’s expressions bring a smile to your face, and encourage you to keep going, go a little easier on yourself, and rest when you need to! Thank you to the talented @staceyosborne__ for the fab 📸 shots of Dad in his new gear, to our local friends at HT Harris Deli, Franks Coffee House and @aperturephotographic for hosting us for the shoot, and to @fthtsi for celebrating the launch with us today! And, as always, thank you to all our lovely IG followers for joining us for the ride. 🔗 Link in bio to shop the collection

Last autumn, father-daughter duo Katie and John Fyfe launched their first drop of slogan “Wise Guy” tees and cotton ribbed socks inspired by the items in John’s wardrobe that sent him viral on Instagram under the guise @dadanddolly . Today, they’re back with more: “Je Suis Fatigué,” “Keep On Truckin’” and John’s personal favourite, “Take It Easy” inspired by the Eagles song. Proceeds from each sale (now available to pre-order) will benefit Alzheimer’s Research UK. Revisit their story at the link in bio.⁠ ⁠ 📸:⁠ Stacey Osborne .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #⁠tshirts #Alzheimersresearch⁠ #dadanddolly⁠

La Dolly Vita. ☕️☀️🇮🇹

Life lately with Dad and the gang. ☀️ The longer, warmer days are working their magic on us all and life is back in full colour. Dad is doing well and in good spirits. We’ve been getting out and about more with our sidekicks - park walks, morning coffees at the deli, lunches in the sunshine - as well as the usual chill time at home. Counting down to the next chapter of @dadanddollyproject (less than two weeks to go now!), and preparing some summer fun to celebrate Dad’s 90th in July. 🎉

A lap-loving lady of leisure.❤️

A very relaxing lounge on the sofa

Some moments from our recent five-day (sadly Dolly- and Mouse-less) jaunt to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. Anyone who’s been following along for a while will know that Dad hates the cold and loves family time, so I booked a little trip to the Canaries - where the climate is balmy and warm all year round - to visit his nephew who he’s been wanting to see for a while. We were warned that “Storm Teresa” might come along and rain on our parade from the day we left, but luckily she didn’t make an appearance in Las Palmas until our final day. So we were treated to sunny blue skies and warm, gentle days, along with fabulous food and the warmth and generosity of our Canarian family. We stayed at the marvellous historic Santa Catalina Hotel, set among lush tropical parkland, where Dad and I enjoyed wandering and admiring the exotic plants and trees. Dad also made a new furry friend - Whitey, my cousin’s beloved rabbit (apparently small white fluffy companions run in the family). Part one of Dad’s 90th world tour complete (he turns 90 this summer!!!!). We’re now safely back home with our own fluffy companions, getting ready for the next installment of our @dadanddollyproject Wise Guys Collection (update coming shortly!) 😎

What’s cookin’?

One of the reasons Doll is such a great buddy for dad is that he can truly relax around her and just be himself - without pressure or judgement. Friendship and a sense of connection is important for all of us. But socialising with dementia - even in the milder stages - is tough. Trying to follow the threads of a conversation, remember what someone told him, recall recent events - can be stressful and exhausting, and knocks his confidence. For this reason, Dad often wants me there if he’s seeing friends or has a visitor, to help carry the conversation and relieve the pressure on him. But Dolly never asks ‘What have you been up to?’ She doesn’t put him on the spot to stumble around his mind, or correct his mistakes and repeated stories. As long as she gets his attention, affection and food, she’s as good as gold and thinks dad is the greatest. She likes him just the way he is (as is evident) - and the feeling’s mutual. ❤️Good girl Doll!🥇🏆