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THERAPIST
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Analysing
Kelly Hoppen
Kelly Hoppen, 50, interior guru to
the stars, takes a rare break to chat
to Stylist about how she eliminates
stress with her Zen approach to life
You have an interiors shop, an
oversubscribed design school and
your own interior range, and were
made an MBE in 2009. Do you feel
like you can finally relax?
I had no idea it was coming up, I got
a letter from the Queen stating that
I’d been given the honour, completely
out of the blue. You’re not supposed
to tell anyone but I wasn’t good at
that – I told about 100 friends.
With a high-profile career and clients
including the Beckhams, do you ever
feel overwhelmed or find balancing
your work and personal life hard?
Sometimes it’s hard to find the
balance. The only time I can relax is
when I’m on holiday. I’m up early and
train five or six days a week with a
personal trainer, so I can’t go to as
You have a meeting coming up at work
1
that is really important to you. Do you:
a) Feel relaxed as you know what you’re doing.
b) Put some thought into your approach and
make sure you manage your time effectively.
c) Work late but feel you have too little time.
A friend’s wedding is coming up and
2
you really don’t want to go. Do you:
a) Relax – these things are never that bad.
b) Plan your outfit and plot your route.
c) Sleep badly and fret about who you’ll talk to.
You have been a bit ill for a couple
3
of weeks now. Do you:
a) Take some time off to recuperate.
����WWW�STYLIST�CO�UK
many parties as I’d like. It’s my business
and it’s a responsibility I take seriously.
Victoria Beckham is one of my best
girlfriends so I’d never be nervous
around her. I’ve been star-struck
before but once you sit down and talk
to people you realise that movie stars
are the same as normal people. I’ve
never felt nervous.
After your father’s death when you
were 16, you’ve said you felt lost but
it spurred your ambition and at 17 you
designed a bachelor pad for the actor
What’s your coping strategy?
b) Book a doctor’s appointment.
c) Worry endlessly and search online for
every possible illness.
Martin Shaw. Having an eventful life at
such a young age must have made you
grow up quickly. What have you learnt
most about yourself over the years?
That unless somebody dies, everything
can be settled without fuss. In my early
20s I’d get very wound up about my
problems; now I know nothing is
irreversible. It’s a lesson that comes
from experience, not age. I’m quite
Zen when it comes to problems. I’m
far more comfortable and happy now
than I was in my 20s. I am healthier
and fitter than I’ve ever been.
You arrive at a hotel to find it’s
4
a complete nightmare. Do you:
a) Unpack and hope a few drinks cheer you up.
b) Make a note of everything that is wrong and
ask the hotel to change your room.
c) Go ballistic at the reception clerk.
You’ve been trying to get pregnant for
5
three months without success. You:
a) Aren’t concerned – it takes time.
b) Keep trying and review after six months.
c) Worry endlessly that it might never happen.
HOPPEN COUNTS
VICTORIA BECKHAM AMONG
HER CLOSEST FRIENDS
You’re twice divorced and have had
high-profile relationships with Jamie
Theakston, Jamie Foxx, footballer Sol
Campbell and celebrity hairdresser
Nicky Clarke. Do relationships get
easier with age?
I don’t think so. All my relationships
have been chilled, including the one
I’m in now. Perhaps not the one last
year... [Kelly split from Clarke in April
amid allegations he was unfaithful]
I’ve never given marriage a thought
in this relationship but I’m very happy.
You moved house in 2007 so you
could be closer to your daughter,
Natasha, and step-daughters, Sienna
and Savannah Miller. Have you
suffered the typical working mother’s
guilt over the years?
Of course, but they’re my children so
I couldn’t not be close to them. Your
children are your children forever. I’m
very proud of them. I hosted a dinner
just before Christmas with my children,
mother, brother and close friends.
It’s lovely that we’re such a close family.
Savannah often comes to stay with me
and I helped design her home.
You said once you’ve had a “colourful
life” with “no regrets” and there’s even
been talk of an autobiography. Are
there any goals you’ve yet to achieve?
I’d love to travel more – I plan to go to
Brazil, Argentina and Australia. I’d love
to design room sets for films or a
musical. I’m a huge fan of both.
Kelly has a new homewear range for QVC,
visit qvcuk.com
MEET OUR
THERAPIST
Lisa Merrick-
Lawless is an
NLP coach with
Headspace (the
headspace.co.uk)
Mostly As – Zen Little fazes you. Ensure
people don’t confuse this with you not caring.
Next time you have an important meeting or
deadline, increase your focus. You achieve
more when you take action.
Mostly Bs – Balanced You’re balanced and
productive. You weigh up the options, have a
sense of urgency but take action in a considered
way and work toward what needs to be done.
Apply this skill to every area of your life.
Mostly Cs – Stressed You spend your life in
a state of panic. It’s likely your approach
increases your stress levels. Next time you’re
stressed, take five minutes out and only
proceed when your mind is clear.
WORDS��LISA�MERRICK-LAWLESS���PHOTOGRAPHY��REX�FEATURES
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