A true icon of London's whimsical, rebellious fashion scene, Lulu Guinness has always stood out from the crowd. It’s this offbeat ethos that landed her signature Dalí-inspired lip-shaped clutch in the hands of fashion rulebreakers like Madonna, Kate Moss, Dita Von Teese and Helena Bonham Carter – and now, just in time for this scorcher of a summer, she’s funnelling her playful designs into a new accessories collection: statement fans.
Guinness launched her eponymous brand in 1989, making the leap from a career with stints in modelling, PR and corporate video production into accessories design. Despite having no formal fashion training, she made a name for herself by creating pieces – like the recently relaunched Wimbledon-favourite strawberry basket bag – that feature unexpected designs and tongue-in-cheek references that “make you look twice”. Many of her bags have become collectibles, with some on permanent display at the V&A. And with summer in full swing, her latest drop marks a “cool” new era for the Lulu Guinness empire.
“I draw my inspiration from watching the world around me – and I noticed temperatures had gone up!” Guinness tells Broadsheet about the influence behind her new line. Dubbed Lulu’s Fan Club, the collection of birch wood hand-held fans is crafted in partnership with London fan brand Khu Khu. They are made in Valencia, which has a long history of fan making. Each item in the new collection reflects Guinness’ distinct DNA, from a fan with a deck of cards motif, one emblazoned with vintage stripes, a fiery “Heatwave” number, or a delicate lace-printed fan with a signature red-lip handle,
The drone-like whizzing of a modern high-speed fan may grab your attention for a few seconds, but when it comes to creating a lasting impression, there’s nothing like the original. Guinness says that handheld fans embody “a wonderful sense of drama and glamour”, making them the perfect blank canvas for adding a fun twist to an otherwise practical accessory.
