Checking-in with Charlotte Lyon & Gabby Icke

This month we crossed the portal (aka Rye High Street) to enter the magical world of “Through Your Wardrobe”. Many people are surprised to discover that its co-creators, Charlotte Lyon and Gabby Icke, are in fact sisters, despite both being familiar faces in Rye. They have been involved in local retail in various guises over the years and in 2010 they launched a contemporary womenswear store, Bird, on Rye High Street together. Despite its success, juggling five children between them back then, and a full time PA role, meant the timing just wasn’t right and they had to make the difficult decision to close, one which they regret to this day.

However as one wardrobe door closes, another opens – happily for us in this case, when the sisters “stumbled” (as they describe it) into preloved clothing early in 2022. What started as a sideline vanity project, it was initially known as “The Lyon, The Witch & The Wardrobe”, fondly named as such by Charlotte. Many have heard her introduce the shop with, “I’m Mrs Lyon, Gabby is obviously the witch and this is our wardrobe.” As they state, “Secondhand felt very much like the sustainable, economical way to keep our wardrobes alive and interesting.”

The business has grown from strength to strength since then and now consists of three bricks and mortar stores and with the long-awaited e-commerce site about to drop, preloved has never been so exciting and relevant. “Through Your Wardrobe” is about considered, carefully edited and thoughtfully curated pieces from H&M to Hermès at a fraction of the original price tag. What is not to love? Do yourself, your wardrobe and the planet a favour and walk across the road next time you visit The George.

What brings you to The George?

Working in Rye every day, The George is a central hub, particularly for after work drinks. The Summer courtyard offers the perfect base for all.

What is your earliest hotel memory?

Guesthouses in Thwaite, Swaledale, where we regularly visited a family run hotel in the heart of the village. Log fires after muddy walks, paddling in the stream and exploring tin mines. It was a basic but much-loved place, at any time of year.

What is the best/most important part of staying away in a hotel for you?

For us successful hotels are all about impeccable service. Luxurious surroundings always help but the beating heart of a great hotel is about the guest feeling truly looked after.

What are you currently reading/binge-watching/listening to?

Charlotte – binge watching the hideousness that is MAFS, closely followed by Below Deck. Mainly listening to Maribou State, usually on repeat. Gabby is still thinking….

Besides The George, which hotel would you most like to check out?

Passalacqua in Lake Como.

Do you have a hotel lobby/lift story to share?

Clint Eastwood at Byblos in St Tropez. Some friends had a table at Les Caves du Roy, under Byblos. We were late one night, so the Maitre d’ apologised saying he had had to give their usual table to someone else. It turned out the ‘someone else’ was Clint Eastwood. We happily partied the night away with Clint.

What is your favourite feature in The George?

We love the gas wall lights at the main door welcoming all in the winter months. We spend quite a bit of our time facing the main entrance of the hotel!

Hypothetically, who would you most like to discover is a fellow guest?

Clint Eastwood, obviously.

What helps you get to sleep at night? (Keep it clean!)

Gabby – the Pulsetto app. Charlotte’s sleep is largely dictated by whether or not the shops have had a good day.

My secret Rye discovery is…

Cocoamore on Lion Street.