Hoppen wins EWAA award

Interior designer Kelly Hoppen was one of 19 winners at the European Women of Achievement Awards at the glittering Grosvenor House ceremony held last Friday in central London, which was attended by the Prime Minister’s wife Sarah Brown.

Previous winners include British athlete Paula Radcliffe, yachtswoman Ellen McArthur and broadcaster Angela Rippon.

Hoppen, who is currently working on the new LA home of David and Victoria Beckham, has made a huge impact since starting her business 27 years ago at the age of 17. Today Kelly Hoppen Interiors employs 35 people in London, Paris and New York.

She says, ‘It’s a fabulous award to win, especially as I had to compete against so many high-class entrants. I’ve worked hard to build my business over the years and feel this is a recognition of all the effort that has gone into it.’

Renowned for her hard-nosed business ethic – she is famous for saying, ‘Success is not just a day job’ – she has made her mark on British design with her own brand of furniture, lighting, carpets and paint, as well as ranges for BHS and Wedgwood. The versatile designer has also put her name to a range of yachts, hotels and British Airways First Class Cabins.

Already the author of seven design books, including East Meets West (which sold 200 000 copies), Hoppen is currently writing her autobiography.