Kelly Hoppen facts for kids

Kelly Elaine Hoppen is a famous British interior designer and author. She was born in South Africa on July 28, 1959. Kelly is known for her unique style in designing homes and other spaces.

From 2013 to 2015, she was one of the "Dragons" on the TV show Dragons' Den on BBC Two.

Kelly Hoppen's Early Life

Kelly Hoppen was born in Cape Town, South Africa. Her family moved to London when she was two years old. Kelly's mother, Stephanie, has Estonian-Jewish roots. Her father, Seymour, had Irish-Jewish ancestry.

When her father passed away, Kelly briefly went back to South Africa. During this time, she played in a rock band.

Kelly Hoppen's Career

Kelly Hoppen started her design career very young. She was just 16 when she left school. Her first project was designing a kitchen for a family friend.

Designing for Famous People

After her first project, Kelly designed a house for racing driver Damien Hunt. This led her to work with other race car drivers and actors. She has designed for many famous people. These include David and Victoria Beckham.

Kelly has designed homes, yachts, and private jets. She has also worked on big projects like hotels, restaurants, and offices. These projects are in many different countries.

Recent Design Projects

Some of Kelly's recent work includes a special project with Disney. This celebrated Mickey Mouse's 90th birthday. She also designed the Celebrity Edge cruise ship for Celebrity Cruises.

Other projects include a luxury apartment building in Taiwan, called One Park Taipei. She also designed the LUX* Grand Gaube hotel in Mauritius.

Kelly Hoppen's Books

Kelly Hoppen has written many design books. She has published thirteen books so far. Her first book, East Meets West, came out in 1997. It was very popular.

In November 2013, she released Kelly Hoppen Design Masterclass – How to Achieve the Home of your Dreams.

Kelly Hoppen's Design Style

Kelly Hoppen is famous for using neutral colors. Her special colors are called "Perfect Neutrals." People often call her the 'Queen of Taupe'.

She believes that a space should feel calm and balanced. This idea comes from Eastern cultures. She says that how people feel in a room is as important as how it looks.

Business and Recognition

In January 2014, Kelly launched her own online store. She sells home accessories that she designed herself. That same year, the Daily Telegraph newspaper named her the second most important female interior designer in Britain.

In 2012, Vogue magazine listed her as one of their 100 Inspirational Women. In 2017, the Evening Standard included her in their list of London's most influential people. Kelly also appears on QVC UK. There, she shows her special jewelry and homewares collection.

In 2021, it was announced that Kelly Hoppen would design homes on a unique superyacht called Njord. This huge ship will have many individual homes for people to live in. Also in 2021, Architectural Digest China included her in their AD 100 list. This list names the top 100 influential architects and designers in China.

Kelly Hoppen on Television

Kelly Hoppen has been on several TV shows.

Superior Interiors

In 2011, she hosted her own show on Channel 5 called Superior Interiors with Kelly Hoppen.

Dragons' Den

From 2013 to 2015, Kelly was a "Dragon" on BBC Two's Dragons' Den. On this show, she listened to people's business ideas and decided if she wanted to invest her own money in them.

Other TV Appearances

In 2016, Kelly had a small role in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. She also appeared as a guest judge on The Great Interior Design Challenge on BBC Two. In 2017, she became a regular judge on the show.

Awards and Honors

Kelly Hoppen has received many awards for her work.

Design Awards

In 1996, she won the Andrew Martin Interior Design Award. She has also won the European Woman Of Achievement award in 2007. Other awards include the ELLE Decoration Award and Grazia Designer of the Year.

Royal Honors

Kelly Hoppen was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2009. This was for her services to interior design. In 2020, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This higher honor was for her work with the GREAT campaign, which promotes Britain around the world.

Charity Work

Kelly is an Ambassador for the Prince's Trust. This charity helps young people. She also works with the Government's GREAT campaign. She advises and mentors small businesses. Kelly is also an Ambassador for Cool Earth, a rainforest charity. She supports Future Dreams, a breast cancer charity. She has also worked with Made by Dyslexia and The Diana Award.

In December 2013, Kelly received the Natwest Everywoman Ambassador award. This award recognizes women who inspire others. In October 2015, she was listed as one of the 100 Most Influential British Entrepreneurs by Richtopia.

Personal Life

Kelly Hoppen has a learning difference called dyslexia.

She has been married twice. Her first marriage was to Graham Corrett from 1982 to 1989. They have one daughter, Natasha Corrett, who is a food writer. Her second marriage was to Edwin Miller from 1989 to 2003. Through this marriage, she was a stepmother to actress Sienna Miller and fashion designer Savannah Miller.

Filmography