Celebrity Interview - Elizabeth Hurley
Style trend-setter with star quality
Elizabeth Hurley Style trend-setter with star quality
Style trend-setter with star quality
A WOMAN OF MANY TALENTS – ACTRESS, MODEL, FASHION DESIGNER, ENTREPRENEUR – ELIZABETH HURLEY HAS RELEASED A STUNNING NEW LIMITED EDITION BEACH COLLECTION FOR MANGO. IN THIS SPECIAL COVER FEATURE, THE INTERNATIONAL STAR SPEAKS EXCLUSIVELY TO H! ABOUT HER BEACH COLLECTION AND GENERAL FASHION DESIGN PHILOSOPHY; WHILE MIRTHA JENNINGS (FAMOUS) CATCHES UP WITH HER IN MADRID TO TALK ABOUT HER EVOLVING LIFE AS A MUM AND WIFE
What is married life like?
Well, it’s been a busy year for both of us but in general it has been a wonderful year. We couldn’t ask for more. Life has been so generous to us.
How do you juggle everything plus being a mother and a wife?
It’s extremely difficult. Every working mom in the world knows it’s hard. You are juggling three or four things the whole time and you just drop them. It’s sort of impossible and very exhausting at times and you cannot do it all and sometimes I have to give up things or say no to certain collaborations.”
Would you like to be a mother again?
Yes. It’d be nice and if one comes along we’d be happy. We’d love to and if it happens it’d be just wonderful because Arun is such a wonderful and caring father. But if it doesn’t we have our son; he’s only six and we have a huge family in our farm. We have so many animals in the farm and now we have six puppies added to the family and they’re at home and they’re just adorable and we have chickens, lambs, dogs, cats, pigs, sheep, geese, cows. We’ re a huge family.
At this point of your life, what are your priorities?
Certainly, number one my family and number two very nice jobs that interest me. I have been working for 22 years and for me I don’t like to travel unless it’s for something I really want to do. For me to leave my son for more than one night is not easy.
In which way has your marriage to Arun Nayar enriched your life?
Arun supports me in every way. He gives me the stability and companionship that I need. He’s a great father to Damian and I’m so fortunate we have each other.
Are you still in contact with your friend Hugh Grant?
Yes. I don’t see him as often but I speak to him all the time. He’s the godfather of my son so we are always in touch. I call him all the time and ask him things. We’ve got a nice friendship.
You look fabulous. How do you keep in shape?
Thank you. Well, I just had a piece of chocolate and it was delicious but after 40 you’ve got to take care of yourself more. I realised that when you are a teenager or a young woman, you eat a lot, smoke, go to bed late, you hardly do any exercise and you look great but that is not for me anymore. I work very hard. Like after Christmas of course, like any women, I go on a diet and it’s difficult; or before the summer I go on a diet and I really have to watch what I eat. I try to exercise, I try to go to bed early, I try to eat healthy, I try to drink lots of water same as everybody – and it’s hard but you know, I am aware that my income is linked to all of these things so I have to try a little bit harder.
What is a typical day in your life?
Well my family comes first so we get up pretty early like around 6 am. We get ready, we have breakfast and get dressed; we have a normal morning. Then I drive my son to school every morning and if I’m not shooting I come back and I am at my desk around 9.10 am where I work until half past three when I go to pick him up. Then I spend the afternoon with him and by 7 or so he’s in bed and then I go back to my desk until 11 or so.
How did Mango approach you for this project?
Some time ago I was introduced to Isaac from Mango through my friend Valentino in Rome. At that time we talked about my beach collection and how much they liked it, and then we discussed a little bit about creating a new line for Mango and that’s the way the whole thing started. I was thrilled with the idea. It was a nice challenge and now I’m very happy with the results.
In terms of colours, designs, how did you get inspired?
I got inspired by the ‘60s and I went for hot colours like pink, chocolate, white, etc. It’s a very feminine collection.
We know you as an actress but physically you look like a model…
Well, I think both are compatible and it really depends on you. Both are challenging and very rewarding so as long as you enjoy doing it, then it is okay.
You are a model, actress and a businesswoman. Do you have any preference?
Well, my first love is acting and I love making movies. I really enjoy it but when I had my child I realised it was going to be difficult for me to be away from him for months so I said to myself: he would have to come with me all the time and that’s not a life for a child going everywhere with his mother. So I had to look for another challenge. I do miss it and some day I’ll go back but for now I’m very happy and busy working on my farm; it’s an organic one. I really enjoy eating healthy food.
What about your acting career… is that on the backburner at the moment? Will you pick it up again?
When I had a child I decided it was enough of travelling and being away from home three or four months at the time. So I decided to drop it for a family life. I was sick and tired of living out of a suitcase; I was never home more than a day. Well, most actors are never home so now that I am enjoying my farm I really like to stay at home. I still do short projects.
Tell us about your future projects.
Right now I am working on a documentary and I’m so comfortable on my farm. It’s just wonderful to work at home.
(caja)
ELIZABETH HURLEY BEACH
Were you always interested in fashion as a kid or is this something that you discovered when modelling or later on in life?
I’ve always been obsessed with summer clothes, probably because I grew up in England where, like everyone, I was brought up never to leave the house without a cardigan and an umbrella. My family holidays were in Cornwall and the Isle of Wight, but I used to dream of glamorous, sunny places like St Tropez and Marbella, and in my dreams I was wearing clothes remarkably similar to my collection!
Have you been inspired by other countries’ cultures you’ve visited on your travels?
I’m inspired by India for colour and embroidery, St Tropez for chic and sexy styles, and Spain for vitality and originality in design.
Your line is very holiday resort oriented. Is there a particular reason you decided to design this kind of clothing?
I decided to venture into beachwear not only because I've always been obsessed with holiday clothes but also because it's an area where women, regardless of shape or size, can either look amazing or really get it wrong. I wanted to come up with some styles that make people look great, and develop a resort collection which would make a woman feel fabulously sexy at any age.’
Do you think people dress differently when they are on holiday?
Often, women who are very conservative in the cities become glorious brightly coloured butterflies when on vacation. I rarely wear black when at a resort. I love women looking glamorous on holiday; tousled hair, glowing skin and sensual, but easy, clothes. Tight waistbands and blow dryers should be banned!
Is it important to you that you can also wear your collection out and about in the city, and as you go about your daily life?
All my kaftans look great with white pants and jeans, as well as over swimwear. I try to make mine really special, many have hand beading and semi-precious stones. I also have great knitwear and embroidered T-shirts which work well in the city.
Do you think that this kind of fashion will stay hot for longer than high-end catwalk fashion?
I’m always aware of what the latest fashion trends are, particularly when it comes to colours, but I’m more influenced about providing what women want and need! I don’t like fashion-victim clothes and have always advocated women wearing what suits them best. My pieces are classic in design and should be worn season after season.
When creating Elizabeth Hurley Beach, do you road-test everything? Are you involved at every single stage?
I’m still involved with everything and I wear all the samples and keep changing them till I’m happy with them. If I had more time I’d go on vacation more often – not for fun but because it’s the best place to get inspiration. I can see clearly what works and what doesn’t work. I also discover what out of my own collection I put on day after day. I find you can’t have enough white, cotton kaftans.
How has the Elizabeth Hurley Beach range evolved?
We’ve grown a lot since we launched three years ago and keep learning more and more about what women want. We concentrate on finding fabulous ways to cover up. Many women feel self conscious in a bikini but don’t want to put something frumpy over them. We have lots of kaftans, tunics, sarongs and long, sexy shirts that look great but cover your tummy and bottom. I’m also a big fan of the one-piece; it’s such bliss to cover your stomach. The trick is to make them sexy on the bust and shoulders.
What’s next for your company?
We’ve launched Girls’ Beachwear and I’m working on a small, bijoux range for men and boys. I’m in no hurry to expand further – I still have masses to do in this area. I’m obsessed by my retail site, elizabethhurley.com, and want to build that u
