Website: www.luella.com

Luella Bartley was born in England in 1974. She studied fashion at Central St. Martins College, in London. She is a British Vogue fashion journalist turned fashion designer. She uses the name "Luella" for her fashion house.

Her first collection in 2000, only consisted of 6 models showing off her clothes in a friend's apartment, but three seasons on, she held a full-scale fashion show with celebrity fans Kate Moss and Texas singer Sharleen Spiton seated in the front row.

Her Fall 2001 collection was full of 80's punk references, from double denim mini-skirts with chain belts, drainpipe jeans and Dennis the Menace red and black striped denim to ultra snug rabbit blouson bomber jackets. The entire collection was accessorized with leggings and BOOTS.

Elle gave her the "Young Designer Award" for 2000.

Luella's Spring 2002 collection was shown in New York. She put on clothes full of quirks and made with a sense of humour and fun. There was an almost complete absence of colour this time around, with everything black except for some Navajo tops. Then suddenly everything changed and colourful bikinis in geometric prints made their appearance. Luella's candy-striped blazers were a hit and faded denim jeans which were distressed to kill.

Luella is now poised to be a favourite with the younger fashion crowd.

In Fall 2002, Luella has entered into financial partnership with New Look, who plan to show her clothes in 20 of their largest stores.

Spring/Summer 2003 Ready-to-Wear

Luella showed her Spring/Summer 2003 collection at the New York Fashion Week in September 2002, which was greeted with aclaim. The outfit on the left is from that collection.

Autumn/Winter 2003 Ready-to-Wear
New York - February 2003

The outfit on the right is one from the Autumn/Winter collection.

Luella showed supersize boyfriend jackets over ripped-up jeans and full-cut pinstripe pants with platform shoes. She had some luxury pieces like an army duffle coat augmented with fur and worn over a black and gold bias-cut dress. For sex appeal, she added satin minis and a black pencil skirt. She included her new handbag line everywhere.

Good News

On a personal note, Luella and her partner fashion photographer David Simms, had their first child, a boy named Kip in Summer 2003.

Spring/Summer 2004

During New York Fashion Week in September 2003, Luella showed a "Fun in the Sun" collection for next Spring. An outfit from this collection is shown on the left. She included to-die-for swimwear peeping out from under overalls and the shortest of minis. She featured a variety of wild tropical prints and colours.

Fall/Winter 2004

The Fall collection was shown during New York Fashion Week in February 2004. Luella's show was inspired by one of the most beloved English types - the bohemian artist who wears cashmere sweaters and Wellington boots and drainpipe jeans. She added a few feminine touches with mini-caftans over neat pencil skirts.

Spring/Summer 2005

During New York Fashion Week in September 2004, Luella Bartley presented her Spring collection. An outfit from the show is pictured on the left.

Luella included loose trousers worn low on the hips, and oversize shirts tucked into tiny shorts. The Luella girl strides confidently down the catwalk in flounced minidresses, snake patterned motorcycle jackets, and her signature skinny pants.

Fall/Winter 2005

The Fall/Winter collection was shown during New York Fashion Week in February 2005. Luella's show was accompanied by Danish musicians Raveonettes. She presented fifties-style circular skirts in bright silk faille, bow-front blouses, trenchcoats and ponchos. Her accessory handbags were collectibles, studded, fringed or grommeted and sure to be in demand.

Spring/Summer 2006
New York

Luella Bartley presented her Spring/Summer 2006 collection during New York Fashion Week in September 2005 using the venue of the New York Yacht Club. An outfit from the collection is shown on the left.

Her show had a nautical theme, with blue and white striped sweaters, navy blazers and rope trimmed short skirts. Tiny tennis skirts and lots of V-neck sweaters and oxford shirts made for a very sporty looking spring.