Holly Fulton is one of the leading designers in the UK, best known for her bold prints and signature embellishment that she puts on display each season at London Fashion Week. HELLO! Online caught up with the designer to discuss her LFW preparation, why she applies red lipstick before her show and how she feels when she watches her show come together.
Are you looking forward to Fashion Week?
Yes, of course! We’ve still got a lot to do, but it’s always incredibly busy for us. There’s a lot still to happen before the show, but it’s always when you arrive and you realise you’re showing at Fashion Week. It’s a time of excitement and anticipation.
Are you feeling prepared for it?
Mainly yes, but a lot will have to happen in the last 48 hours before the show. It’s something that I’ve learned to get used to over the last few seasons! The most exciting thing is when you come back and then you start to add stuff and change pieces. We’re working with a new stylist which is really exciting as it’s quite a big move for the label, so I’m looking forward to see what they come up with.
What do you love the most about Fashion Week?
It’s amazing to see something that you’ve come up with a few months before, coming to life. It all comes together when you see the show and the clothes are actually on the girls. For me especially, that happens when the girls line-up, preparing for the start of the show. It’s amazing to see your vision realised in front of you. For me, that’s the pivotal moment. It’s very satisfying when you get those few seconds, because after that you don’t really see the show, you’re working backstage. It’s enough to know that all that work has come together.
I actually quite enjoy it! I love the team I work with. They’re so much fun, including the make-up artists and the hair stylists. I think it’s hopefully quite relaxed backstage, nothing too high-pressure or tense. The thing that I can’t go without before the show is some red lipstick – it’s a lucky charm. It’s great for when I feel tired as it makes me feel like I get a boost just before the show. Plus, I think red lips are a perfect way to draw attention away from tired eyes!
Can you give us any teasers about what your new collection will be like?
I hope it’s got a slightly different flavour to it, in terms of its colour palette. It’s something that’s new for us, with more subdued tones. We’re very focused on technique, which is my main love. It’s quite subtle, but I hope people can appreciate it all. I’d say it’s quite a bold and dynamic collection. I wanted it to be quite a strong theme, to really appeal to contemporary women. It’s for a chic lady I would say.
Are there any other shows you’re particularly excited to see?
I’m always excited to see what Christopher Kane does. He’s a fellow Scot and I think his approach to the fashion industry is really incredible. He’s got a reputation for the way he just built something like that up, at quite a young age. It’s amazing quality each time.
What do you think of the street style at LFW?
For me, it’s about their individual take on pieces. I love to see someone wearing my clothes in a very individual way. I think it’s exciting to see someone that’s taken pieces from very different sources and put them together. It’s nice to see that there isn’t a ‘prescribed’ look, that people throw their individuality into what they wear. They’ve actually put their thought into it and obviously Fashion Week is a great opportunity to show off your personal style!
Are there any style blogs you particularly love?
I have a good relationship with Ella Catliff from La Petite Anglaise, and all the classics including Susie Bubble. I love catching up to see what they’re up to!
Can you tell us a little bit about the product?
Well, Silk’n products are amazing and quite high-end, so I was keen to start a relationship with the brand. One thing that really appealed to me about the Silk’n Glide is that it suits all skin types. It’s the first of its kind. We like to feature a diverse range of models for our collections, so I really liked that it was so inclusive. Anything in terms of beauty products that suit all is very appealing to me.
What made you decide to get involved with this particular brand?
They’re aware of what a woman’s lifestyle involves, which I think is really important to take into consideration. The Silk’n Glide is quite a compact product, and they’ve made it as accessible and as easy to use as possible. It would suit a model’s lifestyle perfectly!
