With a career in high-profile marketing and a deep commitment to community causes, Lizzie Heffer has made her mark both in Bath’s business world and its charity scene. As director of marketing at Thrings solicitors, she is keeper of the firm’s brand in its widest sense and leads campaigns that connect people with legal expertise. But it’s her passion for projects with heart that inspire her; her latest venture, Strength in Style, is a unique fashion show that celebrates resilience, creativity, and the power of community, all in the name of raising funds for three remarkable charities. We sat down with her to talk about life in Bath, her love of fashion, and what makes the city feel like home. Photo: Heffersstudio
How long have you lived in Bath and what brought you here originally?
I’ve lived in Bath for over 30 years; it’s where I have brought up my four children, developed my career and found a tribe of fabulous friends. My career has always been rooted in communications, firstly working in television and subsequently in marketing, working with all sorts of people and organisations to tell their stories in compelling ways. Alongside my professional work, I’m passionate about using marketing to showcase causes that make a real difference locally, which is how I became involved with Strength in Style.
What do you enjoy most about living in Bath and why do you feel Bath is such a special city to live in?
For me, Bath is a wonderful melting pot of a great business community, a thriving digital hub, a wonderful spirit of creativity and, of course, a world-renowned cultural heritage. Bath is full of people doing interesting, ambitious things, from entrepreneurs and start-ups to artists and changemakers. There’s always something fresh happening, whether it’s an innovative event from the Bath Arts Collective, a festival, a pop-up collaboration or a gorgeously mad event like the Bath Boules. Underpinning it all is a genuine sense of community.
Tell me about your involvement with Strength in Style.
Strength in Style, now in its third year, is a fashion show with a difference. It represents the essence of Bath; it shines a light on our independent retailers, young designers from local schools, the creativity from Bath Spa University, and the magnificence of Bath Abbey. And most important of all, it illustrates how collaboration is such a powerful force; this event brings together three of our much-loved charities, Dorothy House, Children’s Hospice South West, and We Get It, to create an evening where fashion meets purpose, and every person in the room is part of something extraordinary. What makes this event particularly special is our choice of models; they are not professionals but, instead are patients with cancer, children, siblings and carers from Children’s Hospice South West, doctors, nurses and volunteers from all three charities. Their presence on the catwalk represents empowerment in the face of adversity.
Any particular must-see designs that will be showcased at the event?
The sustainable fashion segment is going to surprise people; our stylists, together with our headline sponsors, Future Fashion Works, have sourced pieces from local charity shops and styled them in fresh, unexpected ways which we think everyone will love.
On the theme of fashion, what are some of your favourite boutiques in Bath?
I am a huge fan of our independent retailers. There is such an eclectic mix from Portman on Milsom Street, Boho on Broad Street, and the fabulous Blue in the Loft. And we are now lucky enough to have Somer in Bartlett Street where Bath Spa University has brought
Future Fashion Works to town, unveiling independent designers from across Somerset. We also have some wonderful charity shops where you can find all sorts of stylish treasures.
Beyond Strength in Style, what other events in Bath do you look forward to?
Of course, it has to be Bath Boules, that crazy annual event which fills Queen Square every summer and which brings together all the very best of Bath – our businesses, our restaurants and cafes, our charities – in short, a marvellous mix of the Bath community. And as a Trustee of the Bath Boules Charitable Trust, I know how important this event is in raising funds for our local charities.
Life must be busy; how do you unwind?
For me, unwinding isn’t always about silence and solitude, sometimes it’s the complete opposite. A big, mad family meal is my happy place: everyone talking at once, grandchildren running around, dogs hoping for scraps, stories flying across the table, and laughter that drowns out the clatter of plates. It’s noisy, unpredictable, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What is your go-to café or restaurant?
Café Lucca at the Loft is my go-to because the food is delicious, the atmosphere is relaxed, the staff are lovely and Bertie Heffer (my labradoodle) is always welcome.
What makes Bath feel like home to you?
It’s the sense of belonging, knowing the faces behind the counters, greeting friends on the street, and feeling part of a community that truly looks out for each other. Bath has given me lifelong friends, a career I love, and a place where my family has grown up. Whether I’m at a bustling work event or walking Bertie along the canal path, I always feel rooted here.
To learn more about Strength in Style or to buy tickets visit strengthinstyle.co.uk
