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Sophie Dahl

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Sophie Dahl
BornSophie Holloway
(1977-09-15) September 15, 1977 (age 47)
London, England
OccupationAuthor; journalist
NationalityBritish
PeriodContemporary literature
Spouse
​
(m. 2010)​
Children2
Parents
Relatives
Website
www.sophiedahl.com

Sophie Dahl (born Sophie Holloway on 15 September 1977)[1][2][3] is an English author and former fashion model. Her first novel, The Man with the Dancing Eyes, was published in 2003 followed by Playing With the Grown-ups in 2007. In 2009, she wrote Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights, a cookery book which formed the basis for a six-part BBC Two series named The Delicious Miss Dahl. In 2011, she published her second cookery book From Season to Season. Her first children's book, Madame Badobedah, was released in 2019. She is the daughter of Tessa Dahl and Julian Holloway and the granddaughter of author Roald Dahl, actress Patricia Neal, and actor Stanley Holloway.

Early life and education

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Dahl was born in London in 1977 to the actor Julian Holloway and the writer Tessa Dahl, who were unmarried.[4][3] Dahl's parents separated shortly after her birth.[5] Through her mother, Dahl has three half-siblings.[4] As a child, Sophie frequently spent time at both her maternal and paternal grandparents' houses in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, and East Preston, West Sussex, respectively.[6][7] Dahl has noted that her childhood was "an odd one, but with such magic".[8] Dahl attended 10 schools and lived in 17 homes in various locations including London, New York, and India.[8]

Writing career

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In 2003, Dahl published her first book, an illustrated novella and Times bestseller, The Man with the Dancing Eyes (Bloomsbury Publishing).[9] From 2005, she was a contributing editor and regular columnist at Men's Vogue, until its closure in 2008. Her next books were Playing with the Grown-Ups (2007)[10] and two cook books, Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights (2009)[11] and From Season To Season (2011).[12] She was a contributor to an anthology, Truth or Dare, edited by Justine Picardie, which included works by Zoë Heller and William Fiennes.[13] She also provided introductions to the Puffin Classic new edition of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett,[14] and the Virago Press re-issue of Stella Gibbons' 1938 novel Nightingale Wood – both released in April 2009 – and Nancy Mitford's Don't Tell Alfred, reissued by Penguin in March 2010.[15]

In March and April 2010, a six-part cookery series, "The Delicious Miss Dahl", which Dahl wrote and presented, was broadcast on BBC 2. She wrote and presented a social history documentary about the Victorian cook Isabella Beeton, which was transmitted on BBC 2 on 29 September 2011.[16]

Dahl was a contributing editor at British magazine Vogue for a decade, writing about subjects from cultural identity and the journey of refugees to Britain[17] to the Proustian response to scent, winning a Jasmine Award for her column.[18] She is a contributing editor at Condé Nast Traveller, and has written essays for amongst others, The Guardian,[19] the American edition of Vogue, The Observer[20] and The New York Times Magazine.[21]

It was announced in the Bookseller in 2019 that Dahl had been signed to a four-book deal with Walker Books. The first of these, Madame Badobedah, a children's picture book illustrated by Lauren O'Hara, was published in October 2019 and received a number of nominations and awards including a nomination for a Kate Greenaway Medal. It received a Parents' Choice Gold Award, and was selected as a 2019 Best Children’s Book by both the Guardian and The Sunday Times.[22][23][24][25][26] Dahl's second book with Walker, The Worst Sleepover in the World, illustrated by Luciano Lozano, was published in October 2021.[27]

Her seventh book, and third children's book, Madame Badobedah and The Old Bones, was published by Walker Books in October 2023.

In 2020, Dahl became a monthly columnist and contributing editor at House & Garden magazine.[28]

Modelling career

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Dahl started modelling at the age of 18 after a chance meeting with Isabella Blow, who was then an editor at British Vogue.[29] The following year she made her debut on the catwalk at Lainey Keogh's London fashion week show, modelling Autumn/Winter knitwear.[30] She went on to appear in advertising campaigns for Versace, Alexander McQueen, Boucheron, Pringle, Godiva, Banana Republic, Gap and Boodles amongst others.[31][32] She appeared on the covers of both British and Italian Vogue,[33][34] along with the covers of Elle,[35] Harpers Bazaar,[36] Red,[37] Numero, and Tatler.[38]

During her career as a model, Dahl worked with photographers including Richard Avedon, Peter Lindbergh, Tim Walker,[39] Steven Klein and Steven Meisel. In 2000, Dahl became the face of Yves Saint-Laurent's Opium. The ad campaign was art-directed by Tom Ford and shot by Steven Meisel.[40] Dahl's nude images in British advertisements caused a near-record number of complaints to the UK's Advertising Standards Authority.[41]

Personal life

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Dahl's paternal grandparents were the actor Stanley Holloway and his wife, Violet (née Lane), a former chorus dancer.[42] Dahl's paternal lineage has been associated with the stage since at least 1850; Charles Bernard (1830–1894), a great-uncle to Stanley Holloway, was a Shakespearean actor and theatre manager in London and the English provinces. Bernard's son, Oliver Percy Bernard (1881–1939), was an architect and scenic designer, responsible for the sets for Sir Thomas Beecham's Ring Cycle at Covent Garden.[43][44] Through Bernard, Dahl is related to his sons, the poet and translator Oliver Bernard, the photographer Bruce Bernard,[45] and the writer Jeffrey Bernard.[42][45] Dahl's maternal grandparents were the author Roald Dahl and the American actress Patricia Neal.[46]

On 9 January 2010, Dahl married the singer Jamie Cullum.[47] They had their first child, a daughter named Lyra, in March 2011.[48] The couple had a second daughter, Margot, in March 2013.[49] The family lives in Buckinghamshire.[50][51]

Dahl is an ambassador for Place2Be, a charity which provides mental health support and advocacy in schools across the UK.[52]

Bibliography

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  • The Man with the Dancing Eyes. Ted Smart. 2003. ISBN 9781582343426.
  • Playing with the Grown-ups. Anchor. 2007. ISBN 9780307388353.
  • Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights: Recipes for Every Season, Mood, and Appetite. William Morrow Cookbooks. 2009. ISBN 9780061450990.
  • Miss Dahl's Guide to All Things Lovely. HarperCollins. 2011. ISBN 9780007340514.
  • From Season to Season: A Year in Recipes. Ten Speed Press. 2012. ISBN 9781607741787.
  • Madame Badobedah. Walker Books. 2019. ISBN 9781406384406.
  • The Worst Sleepover in the World. Walker Books. 2021. ISBN 9781406384413.
  • Madame Badobedah and the Old Bones. Walker Books. 2023. ISBN 9781406384420.

References

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  1. ^ Patricia Neal: An Unquiet Life, Stephen Michael Shearer, 2021
  2. ^ Hammer Complete: The Films, The Personnel, The Company, Howard Maxford, McFarland, Inc. Publishers, 2019, p. 403
  3. ^ a b Bromwich, Kathryn (29 September 2019). "On my radar: Sophie Dahl's cultural highlights". the Guardian. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  4. ^ a b Garnett, Daisy (28 January 2003). "A fairytale life". The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  5. ^ Scott, Interview by Danny (24 November 2019). "A Life in the Day interview: Sophie Dahl on dark times and domestic bliss". Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  6. ^ "Visiting the Roald Dahl Museum" Archived 27 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Roald Dahl Museum.org, accessed 26 November 2013.
  7. ^ "Sophie Dahl, model and TV presenter" Archived 2 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine, The Scotsman (magazine), 20 March 2010, accessed 26 November 2013.
  8. ^ a b "'I'm a bit of a dork" Archived 21 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine, The Guardian (online edition), 19 October 2007, accessed 26 November 2013
  9. ^ "Soft-shoe shuffle" Archived 2 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine, Hadley Freeman The Guardian, 1 February 2003, accessed 23 November 2020.
  10. ^ Guest, Katy (16 November 2007). "Playing with the Grown ups, by Sophie Dahl". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  11. ^ "Sophie Dahl" Archived 3 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine, BBC, accessed 2 February 2019.
  12. ^ "From Season to Season: A Year in Recipes (Hardback)" Archived 30 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Waterstones, accessed 23 November 2020
  13. ^ "Truth or Dare: The First Boy I Loved", pp. 105–117.
  14. ^ "The Secret Garden" Archived 31 October 2022 at the Wayback Machine, Penguin Books, accessed 23 November 2020.
  15. ^ "Don't Tell Alfred" Archived 1 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Penguin Books, accessed 23 November 2020.
  16. ^ "Two Programmes - The Marvellous Mrs Beeton, with Sophie Dahl". BBC. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  17. ^ "The Long Way Home". At the Kitchen Table. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  18. ^ "Vogue Celebrated at Jasmine Awards" Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Vogue magazine, 7 March 2013, accessed 26 November 2013.
  19. ^ "My grandfather Roald Dahl, the magician". The Guardian. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  20. ^ "Fond Farewells – Patricia Neal". Time. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  21. ^ "Letter of Recommendation: Mudlarking". The New York Times Magazine. 1 April 2020.
  22. ^ "Books By Sophie Dahl - Author". Love Reading 4 Kids. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  23. ^ "CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal Nominated Titles 2021". Goodreads. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  24. ^ "Madame Badobedah" Archived 13 May 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Walker Books, accessed 12 May 2020.
  25. ^ "The Sunday Times best children's books of the year 2019". Telegraph. 1 December 2019.
  26. ^ "The best children's books of 2019 for all ages". Guardian. 15 December 2019.
  27. ^ "I'm pleased as punch...", @mssophiedahl, Instagram, 25 May 2021
  28. ^ "Sophie Dahl" Archived 12 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine, House & Garden, accessed 10 February 2021.
  29. ^ "Remembering Isabella Blow, the maverick stylist who changed British fashion, a decade on from her death Archived 22 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine", The Telegraph, accessed 7 May 2017.
  30. ^ "Lainey Keogh Archived 26 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine", Bloomsbuy Publishing, accessed 3 July 2019.
  31. ^ "Sophie Dahl makes modelling comeback". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  32. ^ "Sophie Dahl Archived 22 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine", Models.com
  33. ^ "Brit Girls on the Vogue Cover" Archived 22 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Vogue, accessed 23 March 2015.
  34. ^ "Vogue Italia April 2000: Sophie Dahl by Steven Meisel" Archived 23 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine, The Fashion Spot, accessed 25 January 2015.
  35. ^ "Elle Magazine Canada (July 2004)" Archived 31 October 2022 at the Wayback Machine famousfix.com, accessed 23 November 2020
  36. ^ "Harper's Bazaar Magazine - 2008 - Sophie Dahl" Archived 22 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine, magazinecanteen.com, accessed 15 October 2018
  37. ^ "Sophie Dahl Cover Interview" Archived 22 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine Red, 5 October 2010
  38. ^ "Tatler Magazine - October 2000 - Sophie Dahl" Archived 22 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine, magazinecanteen.com, accessed 15 October 2018
  39. ^ "Vogue Archive – Tim Walker" Archived 2 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Vogue, accessed 15 October 2018
  40. ^ "The Glamorous, Scandalous History of Yves Saint Laurent's Opium Fragrance Obsession". 16 July 2018.
  41. ^ "Offensive Opium Posters to be Removed" Archived 2 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine, The Guardian, published 19 December 2000.
  42. ^ a b Holloway and Richards, pp. 74–75
  43. ^ Holloway and Richards, p. 74
  44. ^ "He was the nice one: farewell to Oliver Bernard" Archived 25 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine, London Evening Standard, 4 June 2013
  45. ^ a b May, A. (2004) "Bernard, Bruce Bonus (1928–2000) Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, accessed 22 August 2007 (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  46. ^ "Patricia Neal Obituary" Archived 24 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine, The Telegraph, 9 August 2010, accessed 26 November 2013.
  47. ^ "Sophie Dahl and Jamie Cullum's Secret Wedding" Archived 1 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine, The Independent, 11 January 2010, accessed 26 November 2013
  48. ^ "Sophie Dahl Gives Birth to First Child" Archived 26 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine, The Telegraph, 6 March 2011, accessed 26 November 2013.
  49. ^ "Sophie Dahl Welcomes Second Child" Archived 20 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Vogue UK, 7 March 2013, accessed 22 October 2018
  50. ^ "Instagram snoop: Sophie Dahl" Archived 4 June 2019 at the Wayback Machine, House & Garden, accessed 4 June 2019.
  51. ^ Wilkinson, Sylvie (2 August 2021). "Cute 45 minutes from London that inspired Roald Dahl's stories". MyLondon. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  52. ^ "Our ambassadors and patrons". Place2Be. Retrieved 28 January 2021.

Sources

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  • Holloway, Stanley; Richards, Dick (1967). Wiv a little bit o' luck: The life story of Stanley Holloway. London: Frewin. OCLC 3647363.
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