Luella Bartley: Reversal of Roles
By: Boyd Davis
Photo below: Luella Bartley on the runway, Fall 2006
Photo by Giovanni Pucci

If you read the London Evening Standard and Vogue, you would have seen Luella Bartley's byline. She was a successful fashion journalist before she embarked on her career as a fashion designer.

She used to sit with the crowd (sometimes at the front seats) at the "front of the house," scribbling notes on trends, what will be hot next season, what designs will not make it to the stores at all.

She lavished praises to designers that she thought deserved it and editorialized on those who are not "with it." Then she decided to put her money where her mouth is! She decided to take on the role of a fashion designer, staying at the backstage, watching the monitor if the house is full, if editors and buyers are scribbling notes while her creations are paraded on the runway. Ah, what a reversal of roles.

Fortunately, Luella Bartley's label "Luella" has gotten rave reviews from the fashion editors and from store buyers. Her debut collections garnered orders from Henri Bendel and Whistles. Elle gave her the Young Designer Award for 2000 and has the reputation of British kookiest designer of the moment.

By the looks of it, Luella Bartley made the right decision in changing her career path.

Spring 2005 (Photo by FW)

Fall 2006 Photo by Giovanni Pucci

Address:
LUELLA BARTLEY
99 Talbot Road
London W112AT
United Kingdom

Press for Luella Bartley
BISMARK PHILLIPS
Contact: Ali Froley
106.5 N. Kings Rd.
New York, NY 10048
Tel: 323-655-4741
Fax: 323-655-4841

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