If you interview any designer, whose careers started under the influential umbrella of Fashion East (and there are many), they will mention Lulu Kennedy. It wasn’t before time, when a year or so ago, she clubbed together with these now big fashion types and launched Lulu & Co – an overnight success. Now, in its third season, we catch up with the fabulous gal, as she and her business pals launch Lulu & Co’s Resort 2012 collection.
How did your fashion career start?
I suppose in a way you could say my ‘career’ (I feel funny saying that word) started at the Bricklayers Arms, when I met Hazel and Pablo of House of Jazz! They were the first designers I’d ever known, and became a massive inspiration to me. I was lucky enough to be working at The Old Truman Brewery whose owner got behind the idea of setting up Fashion East and bankrolling it. With the help of the panel, I soon found myself putting on shows and throwing parties. I jumped in headfirst (quite unaware of the politics of the industry), with a desire to help look after designers, and the rest kind of looked after itself. I don’t really have any ‘formal’ training, and not even so much as an internships on my CV, so it’s quite odd and very lucky I’ve ended up in fashion. I love what I do.
What are you most excited about at the moment?
Tie dye sequins! Natascha Stolle made some razzy little dresses out of them with for Lulu & Co SS12; and I’m gagging to wear them this Christmas on the beach in Mexico. Kind of Rainbow Family meets Rihanna. Super hot!
Do you have a daily uniform?
No but I probably should, it’d make getting out the house much quicker. I tend to have obsessions on things for a while and wear them constantly, then stop wearing them for ages, then rediscover them. At the moment it’s my House of Holland for Lulu & Co polka dot jeans. They’re superfun and seem to go with everything I own, which is perfect!
Who is your right hand wo/man?
Beth. But she’s leaving soon to have a baby. It’s due right on London Fashion Week in February – crazy timing or what?! I’m gonna miss Beth so badly as my co-pilot in crime/voice of reason/chief problem solver, I’m trying to make her agree to stay on as a ‘strategist-at-large on the end of the phone’. I’m not good at facing the fact she’s leaving…
What could you not live without?
My jeep. I know it’s a bit wrong to love an inanimate object, but I can’t help it.
Words: Becky Davies