Lulu of a collection

Lulu Guinness has launched her first eyewear collection for the UK at London's flagship Vision Express store. Emma White views the collection and meets the British designer

Fun and quirky handbags have distinguished Lulu Guinness and made her a much-loved star in the world of fashion and with celebrities. Since the pint-sized style-icon – once married into the Guinness family – launched her brand in 1989 her impressive collection has grown from perfume, make-up and baby wear to scarves, shoes and, most recently, eyewear.

Guinness opened her first accessories shop in London in 1999, closely followed by stores around the world including New York, Los Angeles and Tokyo. Her handbags are also on show in the permanent collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The successful launch of her eyewear collection in the US about 18 months ago has prompted her to introduce her designs to the rest of the world.

The complete Lulu Guinness eyewear collection, under licence with Mondottica, is now being showcased at the flagship Vision Express on Oxford Street, London. Highlights from the range, which comprises 30 optical models and 16 sunglass models with three to six colour options, are available at over 200 Vision Express stores nationwide.