Elizabeth Hurley, model, actress, entrepreneur and swimwear designer, has recently opened boutiques in three of the Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages, with a fourth due to open in May at La Roca Village, Barcelona.For someone who juggles marriage, motherhood and a variety of successful enterprises, Elizabeth always manages to look so effortlessly chic. In the last two weeks she has travelled to Dublin, London and Munich, and that’s just for her beachwear business but I managed to catch up with Elizabeth during her launch party at Ingolstadt Village, Munich. Amidst the dazzling storm of popping flashbulbs, crowds of enthusiastic fans, and an incomparable throng of VIPs, Elizabeth and I talked bikinis, bronzing and beauty tips!
Launch of Elizabeth Hurley Beach at Ingolstadt Village, Munich
YOU’RE A BUSY BUSINESSWOMAN. HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR TIME SO WELL BETWEEN ALL YOUR BUSINESSES, TRAVEL AND FAMILY?
It’s hard and I often feel exhausted. I try really hard to only work when Damian is at school or asleep. At the end of the day my husband and I put him before all business and all pleasure. He’s definitely our number one!
WHY DID YOU VENTURE INTO DESIGNING BEACHWEAR?
I chose 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.
WE ALL WANT TO LOOK BETTER ON THE BEACH. WHAT ARE YOUR FAILSAFE TIPS?
It’s all about accentuating the positive. The colour has to suit you. Pink, aqua and white all look beautiful under the sun, and too much black can look hot and uncomfortable. I like light fabrics that fly around in the breeze. Most women feel ok lying flat but often feel self conscious walking around in a bikini; the sarong or kaftan is the perfect solution. You can hide your tummy, your bottom or your legs; whatever it is bothering you can be concealed under a flippy layer of pretty chiffon and no one is any the wiser.
WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF THE PERFECT BEACH FIGURE?
Everyone needs a bit of a tan to look good in a bikini, and it definitely works if it comes out of a bottle. I think it’s more important to be toned than it is to be thin. Most men hate skinny bodies and prefer a more buxom look, but I don’t know too many men who actively seek out flab. Going for a good walk every day can really make a difference to your legs and butt, and if you throw in sit-ups and arm exercises you can look like a goddess when you’re a lot larger than a sample size! Many of my customers take a large or an extra large and look great.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PIECE IN YOUR LATEST COLLECTION?
I love the jewelled kaftans. They are hand embroidered in India with Swarovski crystals.
NO-BODY WEARS WHITE JEANS QUITE AS FABULOUSLY AS YOU DO, BUT WHAT IS YOUR OVERALL STYLE TEMPLATE?
I like a sleek, feminine look. I like women’s bodies and am not that keen on baggy clothes which hide everything. On vacation I like women to look relaxed and easy. Nothing should be tight or uncomfortable. At parties in town I frequently wear stuff that’s tight and uncomfortable but that’s different!
YOU ATTEND MANY RED CARPET EVENTS, WHO ARE THE DESIGNERS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW?
I have many. I love Versace, Lanvin, John Galliano, Cavalli, Prada, Fendi, Gianbattista Vialli. The list could go on.
WHAT IS YOUR ALL TIME FAVOURITE OUTFIT AND WHY?
I love my two wedding dresses that were made for me by Versace. One is white and the other is a hot pink Indian traditional wedding dress.
WHAT THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT?
Keys, phone and lip gloss.
FINALLY, WHERE IS THE LEAST LIKELY PLACE WE MAY BUMP INTO YOU?
I haven’t been to a pub for about fifteen years; I can’t stand them.
Elizabeth Hurley Beach is at Kildare Village, Bicester Village and Ingolstadt Village, and will open at La Roca Village, Barcelona in May 2010.
Tags: Barcelona, Beach, Bikinis, Bronzing, Dublin, Elizabeth Hurley, Fashionable, Fendi, London, Munich, Roberto Cavalli, Style, Swarovski, Swimwear, Versace
[...] year Elizabeth Hurley opened her very first standalone boutique in the world. A pop up boutique at Bicester Village with [...]