
LIP SERVICE: Lulu Guinness returned to London Fashion Week for the first time in more than a decade and is brimming with energy and new ideas. She’s taking more creative control of her business, and working hard at fusing craft and design.
During a breakfast presentation at Fortnum & Mason, she unveiled a Surrealist-inspired sculpture based on her signature lip design, which first debuted as a crimson snakeskin clutch in 2004.
She’s also made a series of clutches based on the new sculpture, which come in a rainbow of colors, and metallic shades. The new silhouette sits at the heart of a wider collection that includes glossy, crinkled leather handbags and graphic, demi-fine gold jewelry, including tiny lip stud earrings, a gold cuff and statement necklace.
Guinness said the Surrealists “have always been close to my heart. It’s the start of an important new chapter, and I’m very proud of it.” The collection is being sold on luluguinness.com, with prices ranging from 225 pounds to 395 pounds. She’s doing a pop-up at Fortnum & Mason to promote the new collection, and has created a retro-style film inspired by images from Man Ray and his Surrealist pals.
In an interview prior to the unveiling, Guinness said she was excited to make a comeback, particularly about her new “Delulu” tote, which is made from recycled materials and features an antique-looking needlepoint print.
It’s based on the analog bag that she carries around, and said the name suits her. “Delulu” has its origins in K-pop and is TikTok slang for delusional. “That’s me in a word,” she said, adding that she also loves that her brand is “high-low,” with the recycled shopper totes costing around 30 pounds.
She’s also happy with the team, although it’s much smaller than in the past. The managing director is Jo Staveley, formerly of Cath Kidson. “She respects my creativity,” said Guinness, adding that she’s on the lookout for new projects and collaborations, too.







