Emirates Woman

Laura Bailey has
honed her creative
eye through
photography and
having co-founded
fine jewellery brand
Loquet London.
This season she’s
partnered with
THE OUTNET to
create a signature
capsule collection
WORDS: AMY SESSIONS
What do your first 30 mins of the day look
like, your morning routine? I’m an early
bird. These days I get up in the dark to
run or walk with my two dogs, Frankie
& Bambi, before I wake my kids at 7am
and make breakfast before they head off
to school. In an ideal world (not in lockdown),
I would play an hour of tennis
or join a class at my local Bodyism gym
before I start work, which might mean a
shoot, meetings all over town or a day at
my desk. I have no ‘normal’ day, I have
quiet days and crazy days and somehow it
all works out. But sport, and being able to
organise all around my kids’ routine is key.
You started in the industry as a model, how
did you discover your eye for design? I
have worked an unconventional model life,
always combining shoots with my passions
for writing, photography and travel,
and creative direction including design.
My diverse creative lives are entwined and
cross-pollinating and I am always casting,
pitching & collaborating, in all fashion
fields. I have been so lucky to work with
some of the best creative visionaries, from
Karl Lagerfeld to Edward Enninful, and
have watched and listened hard.
How did you know it was the right time
to launch Loquet London and what were
the stepping-stones to that point? Loquet
London has been a labour of love for Sheherazade
Goldsmith and I. The shorthand
and trust of an old friendship combined
with Sheherazade’s idea for an innovative
and romantic reinvention of the locket is
a source of pride and inspiration and although
I am less involved in the day to day
I love watching the brand grow in style and
we have just launched a limited edition
special collaboration with beloved artist
Charlie Mackesy and another old friend
Chantal Conrad, who has developed a
brilliant miniature lens which allows secret
messages to be embedded in a special
Lumiere pendant. Mine holds a favourite
Nick Cave lyric. It’s a kind of magic.
Each of the pieces you’ve designed for
THE OUTNET capsule has been carefully
crafted to emulate your signature style.
What was the key DNA and which is your
favourite piece? The key DNA was simply
timeless, iconic style, inspired by my
passions for film and vintage. I wanted
to create timeless pieces and to design
a capsule whereby everyone can find a
piece that works for them, and style it in
their own way. I thought a lot about the
one dress that you take on a trip, again
and again, or the one piece in your wardrobe
that you reach for when you want to
simply feel your best. The black velvet
‘Isabella’ is the one I’ve been wearing the
most, even from the first samples. It’s relaxed
but chic, easy modern luxe.
Tell us about how this project supports
Save The Children? It was really important
to me that this collaboration worked
beyond the quest for the perfect party
dress. Ten per cent of proceeds from each
sale will go to support the brilliant work
of Save The Children, a charity for whom
I have long served as ambassador.
Do you feel more drawn to the creative
or the business side and how have you
grown the team to support this? I am definitely
more drawn to the creative side,
though I am working hard on the business
side too! One of the joys of collaboration
is the freedom to play to strengths and
ask for help. The team at Iris & Ink and
THE OUTNET have supported me every
step of the way, and the entire process has
been a joy and the best kind of challenge.
Do you have any mentors or guides and
how does this help navigate the right path
throughout life and your career? My friendships
with extraordinary women working
in diverse fields are a source of immense
pride, joy and inspiration. From fashion
designer Bella Freud to journalist Christiane
Amanpour, creative visionary Amanda
Harlech to Cathy Kasterine, stylist and
collaborator in my photographic work. I
am extremely lucky to work in constant
dialogue with such talent and intellect. I
have relied heavily on my girlfriends for all
kinds of guidance. They are my family.
And these days one of the greatest
thrills and challenges is to serve as men-
The
Signature
FEATURE
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