Let me have the pleasure to introduce you to the talented Miss Loulou Androlia.
1-Why did you decide to start your own blog?I've always been someone that journals, or 'brain vomits' as I like to call it onto a piece of paper or a word document plus I'm a massive internet nerd so starting a blog was just something that happened. I actually was writing in it for a good six months before I even told anyone it was there. Also even though I now will write some posts to an audience It is still primarily my 'diary' and I wouldn't classify myself as a blogger. It is however very cute to know that there are hundreds of people who visit it now and it's always exciting to get comments from strangers!
2-Is there anything you love to collect?
Let's just say I am a person of a lot of.. 'stuff'' (or mess...) so I like collecting all sorts. The main things I collect are umbrellas and notebooks/drawing books. Then anything heart shaped... so that's becoming a bit of a collection. Really I'd like to collect cats and magic tricks.
3-What do you like the most about the city you live in?
I live in London and I love it so much. My favourite things are the parks, particularly Regents park, I live super near there and so I'm always about feeding ducks, visiting the zoo or leaf stomping. I also love our free museums, like the Natural History and the Science Museum.
I live in London and I love it so much. My favourite things are the parks, particularly Regents park, I live super near there and so I'm always about feeding ducks, visiting the zoo or leaf stomping. I also love our free museums, like the Natural History and the Science Museum.
4-Is there any blog you can't stop reading?My friend Elizabeths blog is always very high on the top of my list http://feelslikewhitelightning.com . She is clever, witty and her posts are never dull, it's one of the blogs which makes you realize that most others aren't worth reading. I LOVE HER!
5-What's your dream job and why?
Hummm well I'm lucky that I'm running my own business doing something I like....but you know in a dream world I'd own a zoo in space... or be David Attenboroughs assistant, that would be my dream job, It bums me out that he's not my friend regularly. Anything with animals really, but I think I'll do that later on in my life.When I was younger the only thing I wanted to do was be a witch, so I have to make time for that too!
6-What's the aspect you love the most about being a blogger?
I'm not really a blogger so I don't think I can really answer this question properly. I run my own fashion business which takes up all my time, including all the time I would prefer to be doing something for myself, but when I get a chance to write in my blog for me it is the best way to keep track of my life. My memory isn't the best (after a long illness) and I have this obsession with wanting to document everything, particularly with photos. I like to write down everything I've done or everything I like....so this is what my blog is. Then I like to make wishlists of lovely things I want. One set of posts I make specifically for other people are the ones where I share links of things I've found or posts from really awesome blogs that I want to share.Recently I started a tumblr - http://helloilikeyou.tumblr.com and that's where I put lots of inspiration and ideas.
I'm not really a blogger so I don't think I can really answer this question properly. I run my own fashion business which takes up all my time, including all the time I would prefer to be doing something for myself, but when I get a chance to write in my blog for me it is the best way to keep track of my life. My memory isn't the best (after a long illness) and I have this obsession with wanting to document everything, particularly with photos. I like to write down everything I've done or everything I like....so this is what my blog is. Then I like to make wishlists of lovely things I want. One set of posts I make specifically for other people are the ones where I share links of things I've found or posts from really awesome blogs that I want to share.Recently I started a tumblr - http://helloilikeyou.tumblr.com and that's where I put lots of inspiration and ideas.
7-Is there anything or anybody that inspires you?
I am very inspired by anyone who is working hard at what they love and so in particular my close friends, I feel like I'm constantly being mind blown by them. Here are a few to check out.http://www.mademoisellerobot.com - My friend Laetitia set up this blog two years ago and now she is internationally known for her cute and clever articles as well as a successful styling service.http://www.wonderleague.co.uk - My soulmate Bunny, everything she does makes me go WOW.http://www.katiecoleslaw.com - My friend Katie is an amazing photographer, she works so well with light and her snaps are magical.Other things that inspire me - Disney princesses, NASA image galleries and anything space related, the uncanny, anatomy, magic, monsters, fairy tales, witches, the dessert tray, my dreams, found photos, over sized anything, photobooths, old fashioned romance, x rated dates, animals in clothes.
8-Favourite pieces in your wardrobe and why?
My all time favourite item is a belt that I found in Brighton in a vintage store in 2004. Its thick black elastic and clasps with two golden leopards. It is amazing and goes with everything, I think If I ever lose it I will DIE.Clothing wise I am a real wearer of dresses and about a year ago I bought this gorgeous black lace dress from TOPSHOP and It was one of my best buys ever as I wear it constantly and always feel great in it, and that's the main aim of fashion I believe.Oh and then my leather biker jacket, I rarely go out without it. I'm trying to work out how to layer up under it now so I can still wear it over Winter without being cold!
My all time favourite item is a belt that I found in Brighton in a vintage store in 2004. Its thick black elastic and clasps with two golden leopards. It is amazing and goes with everything, I think If I ever lose it I will DIE.Clothing wise I am a real wearer of dresses and about a year ago I bought this gorgeous black lace dress from TOPSHOP and It was one of my best buys ever as I wear it constantly and always feel great in it, and that's the main aim of fashion I believe.Oh and then my leather biker jacket, I rarely go out without it. I'm trying to work out how to layer up under it now so I can still wear it over Winter without being cold!
9-What makes you feel at home when you travel? The objects you like to put in your luggage when you leave your country.I am a real home body so I tend to way over pack when I go anywhere. I don't go anywhere without my MacBook! then I have my work and all my photos with me so I feel close to home. I also always have a drawing book and pens, ipod and diary. Oh and now I'm totally addicted to my blackberry of course..*shame*
10-When and how did you decide to start your own company?
I started Loulou Loves You in 2007. It was a natural progression from the lingerie course I had taken. I hadn't always wanted to make lingerie, but once I started then I knew It was something that I wanted to pursue and I thought well why not have my own label! I still run the business by myself and then have a wonderful girl who helps me out with PR. Hopefully soon I'll have a little team and expand Loulou Loves You to take the business further on it's journey!
11-Where do you start from when you have to design your pieces? (sketching, getting inspiration from other labels, sewing experiments...)
I work straight from my head. I'm a really intense daydreamer, and dreamer and so I have the ideas and usually I just grab some fabric and start sewing. I do sketch but often it comes after I've actually made something and I'm just developing it from there. I always keep folders of inspiration on my computer as well as cutting up magazines and scanning in images. I get a lot of inspiration from watching movies too so I usually have something on whilst I'm working and I'll make notes of anything that pops into my head. I think I'm quite impatient so one of the reasons I love having my own online shop as I can just come up with an idea and then put it straight to sell because usually I have become so excited about it that I just can't wait!
I work straight from my head. I'm a really intense daydreamer, and dreamer and so I have the ideas and usually I just grab some fabric and start sewing. I do sketch but often it comes after I've actually made something and I'm just developing it from there. I always keep folders of inspiration on my computer as well as cutting up magazines and scanning in images. I get a lot of inspiration from watching movies too so I usually have something on whilst I'm working and I'll make notes of anything that pops into my head. I think I'm quite impatient so one of the reasons I love having my own online shop as I can just come up with an idea and then put it straight to sell because usually I have become so excited about it that I just can't wait!
12-What's the hardest part about running your own company?
Its really hard work and there is never a 'stop', there is always something to do and so sometimes if you stop to do something else then you feel guilty. Also as a one woman brand, there is no one to push me on when I'm feeling down or deflated, so I always tell people to get a business partner! I think it's important to set a schedule for each day so you make the most of your time and absolutely do your best to keep track of accounts and all the boring parts that aren't the fun creative bit.But aside from all that, having your own company is awesome! I wouldn't have it any other way.
if you're interested in contacting Loulou you can visit her website or email her:
❤ Loulou Androlia
❤ Lingerie and Accessories Designer / Lover / Maker.
❤ email loulou@louloulovesyou.co.uk
❤ website www.louloulovesyou.co.uk
❤ twitter www.twitter.com/louloulovesyou
