The chances are that even if you don’t know her name, Fiona Lambert has touched your life in some way. During her 30 plus years of working in the fashion industry she has held senior roles at Next, George at Asda, River Island and Dunelm and most recently was Managing Director at Jaeger when they moved to Marks & Spencer. Yes, it is Fiona whom we all need to thank for the happy marriage of these two heritage British brands.
However, it could be that you know her as the author of Invincible Not Invisible, published in 2024 in which she details how she achieved peak fitness at the age of 60, or perhaps you already follow her Instagram account (@fionalambertofficial) where she posts regularly on all things fashion, fitness and fabulousness.
Last summer her second book came out, S.A.S (Single at Sixty) and once again she draws on personal experience to lift the lid on re-entering the dating scene after the end of her 30-year marriage. We are delighted to share an exclusive extract but first we wanted to put our own questions to Fiona and find out more about her dramatic evolution.
Fiona, what inspired you to write the book?
I had been with my husband for over 30 years and found myself newly single at 60 as we decided to separate. Friends encouraged me to join a dating app in order to meet someone.
As I started to use the app and go on dates. I learned, through mistakes, both funny and challenging, that it was a minefield that no-one had prepared me for. As someone who’d mentored and coached people in my career, I realised by sharing my lessons, researching different apps, getting great advice from a friend who’s a matchmaker, that I could help others in the same situation navigate the minefield.
We understand it is based on your experience so want to ask, has it worked out for you?
It has. First and foremost, the first chapters in the book help you love your yourself, grow your self-esteem and self-confidence, before you work out if – and what – you want from your next relationship.
I wish I had read my book as I probably started dating too early after coming out of a long marriage and was used to being part of a couple. I needed time to be comfortable in my own skin and unlearn the compromises you make in being your true self to make a long marriage, where you both change. I met someone who appreciates that I don’t need someone to complete my life, but to compliment it, and who likes me as I am without having to compromise.
How would you sum up the key differences in today’s dating scene compared with when you were last single?
Wow, how things have changed since the 80s. The growth of apps, social media and AI means everyone is used to instant gratification. They very quickly read small amounts of information and doctored photos. When you relied on meeting someone physically in a bar or at a club there was a chance to chat, see if there was any real-life chemistry, and meet their groups of friends surrounding them – which are all revealing.
Now it's extremely hard to meet in real life. I experimented whilst I was single, and the anonymity and opportunity of online dating has reduced the amount of people who are willing to risk starting conversions with strangers in person for fear of rejection,
What is the most valuable lesson you learned during the process?
Don’t look at a date as the chance to meet the next love of your life. It’s a meeting. You may make a friend, you may meet a lover. You may meet someone you will never see again. Don’t put yourself under too much pressure. And make sure you don’t settle. If you appreciate your self worth, you will always be the best date you’ll have.
Your career in fashion has been - is! - phenomenal. What prompted you to develop your online persona?
I love creating things that create a positive emotion in people and that is what I loved about fashion design. When I realised creating posts and reels on social media could inspire, delight, motivate or entertain people, it lit another fire in me. Many women in their 50’s or 60’s may think it's too late to change or feel they are invisible in today's society. I want to role model that it's never too late and you’re never too old.
You have achieved so much. Do you still have goals to reach?
Oh yes! I am a working my way around the Seven Wonders of the World and will hike to Macchu Picchu this October. I am currently writing my next book, which is a novel. And as my daughter is pregnant, I want to make sure I live as long and as healthily as I can to be the most fun grandmother ever.
S.A.S Single and Sixty, Your Survival Guide to Dating by Fiona Lambert (Synergy Publishers, July 2025) is available from all good booksellers. Find Fiona on Instagram @fionalambertofficial
