Wild Child Stylelab farewells inspirational leader Carol Foord

A fashion force for more than 50 years, the founder of Wild Child Stylelab and Toffs has died.

Started by Carol Foord in 1990, Toffs on King William Road is one of Adelaide’s longest running independent boutiques. Picture: Advertiser Library

Pocket rocket trailblazing giant of Adelaide’s fashion scene Carol Foord has died.

Ms Foord, who had previously spoken about battling cancer, died on Saturday night.

Born in the UK, she moved to Adelaide as a teenager.

A much-loved leader of the fashion industry, Ms Foord was the founder of Wild Child Stylelab on King William Rd, which was closed on Sunday as a mark of respect.

Opening its doors in 1990, it is one of Adelaide’s longest running independent boutiques.

Ms Foord also opened other branches of Wild Child, in locations such as Glenelg, North Adelaide and Norwood, before consolidating the business at its original location.

Ms Foord also started up another King William Rd boutique, Toffs, in 1978.

Housed in the premises that would become Wild Child, it stocked labels such as George Gross, Harry Who and Toffs.

Carol Foord at Wild Child Stylelab in 1999. Picture: Advertiser Library

Always ahead of the curve, Ms Foord was also a furniture retailer, through her businesses Church Studios and Studio Barcelona.

The team at Wild Child announced her death on social media on Sunday:

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Carolyn Foord, the heart and soul behind Wild Child Stylelab and Toffs For 50 years,” the post said, also adding:

“Carolyn dedicated herself tirelessly to her beloved store, shaping it into the institution it is today. Carol’s legacy of creativity in fashion and furniture will forever be remembered,

“thank you, Carol for inspiring us all. Your presence will be greatly missed, but your spirit will continue to live on in Wild Child Stylelab.”

In 2006 Ms Foord gave The Advertiser’s then monthly mag, Adelaide Magazine, an insight into her life and career in an article exploring “10 things you didn’t know about Carol”. Here are some of the things she shared:

Born in the UK she moved to Adelaide as a teenager. Picture: Keryn Stevens

* Carol sold her Honda sports car to get the capital needed to start her business Toffs.

“We were also a dry-cleaning agency to subsidise the rent.” She bought the shop, plus two alongside, five years later. Ten years on, she merged them into one.

* “I was the first female car saleswoman in Adelaide. I worked in the car industry in an office, then they advertised for females to sell cars. It was with Bowden Ford.”

* “I went to a jewellery plan party and thought if they can sell junk for those prices, I can source jewellery with integrity and start my own business. So I started Silver Shaft. Rob Dawson and Nicholas Pike were doing my silver jewellery. And I imported a bit. I sold the business and got into fashion.”

* Carol’s morning ritual, her addiction and her favourite drink are a cup of tea with honey and lemon.

* Shoes are Carol’s passion and she estimates her collection to be up to 400 pairs. In fact, in a previous home her entire double garage was dedicated to it. Of the 400 pairs, only 12 or so are flats, the others being Carol’s famed heels. “I was wearing stilettos at three! People say to me ‘Carol, I have known you for 30 years and haven’t ever seen you in a pair of flats’.”