Lulu Guiness Opens Up To Female First

Lulu Guiness first started designing handbags back in 1989, from there she has put her name to a long list of accessories , including sunglasses, scarf's, jewellery and most recently bed lien.

Her signature red lips handbag, can be found on the red carpet in the hands of numerous celebrities including Madonna, Katy Perry, Little Boots and Florence andThe Machine.

Recently she has taken her designs abroad to America, Japan and is currently launching the brand to the far east.

With her designs taking off in all countries, Lulu still found time to team up with the high street chain Comet that will see her signature red lips hitting kitchen work tops across the country, as she has designed a toaster.

Female First caught up where her to reflect on her life, what is in store for the future and what she really thinks of all the young starlets holding her red lips.

What made you team up with Comet to make the limited edition Breville toaster?

I think they asked me, I like putting my designs on a surface and they suggested the toaster and I thought it was a really nice idea and accepted the offer.

You design handbags, charms, wallets, bed lien, sunglasses but what is next for you?

In china we are currently setting up to do far more licensing, which would include far more products which would include ready to wear products.

What attracted you to the red lips which you are now know for?

Well I have always worn red lipstick myself and the lip look is the signature of the brand because I always wear it, its very personal.

What made you want to become a designer?

Oh gosh you are born a designer born being creative and having hundreds of ideas all the time and needing somewhere to put them.

How do you feel when you see your designs on the red carpet being modelled by Katie Perry?

Obviously, great its just a good way for lots of people to see them. What’s been really nice recently is that we have had Katy Perry, Florence and the Machine, Little Boots lost of young female Popstars. You know its nice you have a new generation of singers that like your things. Its current and I guess what I like is I do design for quite individual people and this current batch of singers have individual taste they are less about style and more about putting together an outfit with original pieces.

You have shops in Japan, Hong Kong, New York and obviously London is there any City you want to conquer next?

Hong Kong is the gateway to china and china is the new big push which include, Korea, Taiwan basically the Far East.

Would you ever consider collaborating with a high street chain like Christopher Kane has done for Topshop?

Of course I would, I was one of the original Debenhams designers about 15 years ago and yes I would very much like to do that, I think it is absolutely  fantastic.

What are your favourite designers?

I like Giles, Christopher Kane, Vivienne Westwood.

What attracted you to handbags?

It is an open market there weren’t so many handbag designers around when I first started. I also like handbags because they don’t have a particular size like shoes and clothes do.

What is the one thing that every women should carry in their handbag?

Well for me personally it has to be lipstick, it doesn’t have to be red, not everyone wants red, and a mirror as well

Female First Natalie Broxton