There are hundreds of designers at work all across the world, but only a chosen few are able to stand the test of time and become icons. One such modern-day icon is Kelly Hoppen, a fashion designer who, over the course of her more than 40-year career, has consistently appeared to be one step ahead and, dare I say it, establishes trends while others lag far behind. Kelly Hoppen was raised in England after moving there as a youngster when she was just 16 and a half years old, she received a commission to design a family friend’s kitchen, and since then, more and more projects have come her way.
Her exquisite style combines simple minimalistic designs with neutral colours to create timeless designs for projects ranging from residential to commercial to hospitality and beyond. The most intriguing aspect of Kelly, though is her capacity to engage with the full design spectrum, personalise it, and then push forward to build an empire as diverse as it is now.
Kelly has accomplished a great deal, and it all started back when the idea of a successful female entrepreneur was a rarity. She has written books, made appearances on television and in films, established an online shopping destination, and assumed the role of an ambassador for organisations that mentor and support young people, all while organically expanding her interior designing practice to include product design – both for her own brand and a variety of disparate companies. In an interview, Kelly stated that it is extremely important for someone in her profession to understand how design affects people’s lives.
Kelly has broadened her horizons and designed ships, yachts, hotels, and resorts. Through her residential and commercial work, Kelly is now a leading force in China creating design that is sought after and desired. Her portfolio of projects touches on every genre, and she has worked in almost every country in the world.
Kelly Hoppen is not afraid to be in the spotlight. She has appeared frequently on television, participated as an investor on BBC Two’s Dragons’ Den, and recently launched her own podcast series, The Kelly Hoppen Show, in which she spoke with a variety of successful women about their professional and personal journeys. Kelly was awarded an MBE for creative services in 2009, and she was also given a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for her contributions to the GREAT campaign, a marketing drive to promote tourism, trade, investment, and higher education in Britain and Northern Ireland. Of course, there are other honors as well, including Grazia Designer of the Year, ELLE Decoration Award, and European Woman of Achievement, to name a few.
Kelly launched her first e-commerce store in January 2014 with a line of interior accessories she herself designed, to name a few more of her accomplishments. She was named the second-most prominent female interior designer in Britain by the Daily Telegraph. She was included on Vogue’s list of 100 Inspiring Women in 2012, and the Evening Standard named her one of London’s Most Influential People in 2017.
The qualities that distinguish Kelly from her contemporaries are the strength of her practice and business, the variety of her artwork, projects, and the sheer brilliance with which she approaches each assignment. Undoubtedly, Kelly is one of the most tenacious and prosperous female female entrepreneurs of her generation.
